Actually, I know that is the norm but it hasn't actually been all that slow for me here in Upper Michigan...but I don't plant until June.
I have only planted 4 small sections - 1/4 acre - 1/2 acre, but here is a photo of where I drilled switchgrass into a prepped plot on June 13th
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July 4th - Switchgrass is up and running...
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August 9th
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August 11th
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September 18th of the first year - lots of witchgrass or maybe Foxtail coming up with the switch. I had not done any mowing or other maintenance to this plot. I called my local NRCS agent and asked what I could do about the invasive. He checked with their "switchgrass guru" in another office and that guy said - "Don't worry about it - the switchgrass will outcompete it the next year". He was right. But...I learned that it is best to mow your new switchgrass at least a couple of times throughout the summer before the invasive go to seed.
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October 8th - the following (2nd) year - no weed competition
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August in 3rd year - I decided to extend this small strip but I mowed it at least twice the first year
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August - 3rd year
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August - 3rd year....and a mowed strip of first year switch where I extended it to make the first strip larger...
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Mowed first year on the right - 2nd or 3rd year switch on the left.
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