CRP overseed prior to burn

[treerat]

We bought a SE MN home last year with 13 acres of CRP in year 5 of 10. 2026 is a MCM burn year and the fire breaks are ready. There is very little NWSG left as you can see in the picture and I would like to overseed 5 lb/A of big rock switch to get some vertical cover. Since it's not possible to spray or till a perfect seed bed due to CRP rules, I think I have 2 options to choose from and looking for feedback if you have experience with either.

Option A- broadcast seed mid-winter, allow seed to cold stratify and hopefully find ground with snow, rains, and freeze/thaw. Burn existing grass in early May.

Option B - cold stratify seed in freezer, Burn crp in early may, have someone drill a few strips and patches of switch immediately after burn.

Keep in mind, mowing next summer is not an option unless I have invasives to target mow. What are your experiences/thoughts?

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[buckdeer1]

I would burn as early as allowed and drill stratified seed same day.Might check when they are doing inspections as I didn't renew because they were requiring more forbs to be planted so if you are going to have to do an improvement to meet specs just as well drill once

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I'm not sure what the fire would do to any exposed seed, so I'd broadcast the switchgrass seed after burning. It isn't exactly the same, but I've had good luck broadcasting switchgrass seed in burned out areas where I've burned brush piles in the winter.

I have some CRP in SE MN (Olmsted County) that includes some switchgrass. It is good for pheasants and fawns, but I haven't been impressed with its deer holding ability in the fall when compared to woods.

 

[omicron1792]

I would seed after the burn. Or plant and burn year 2 or 3. Don’t want to burn newly seeded or young switch

 

[Brian662]

I'd bet a moderate sum of money your NWSG would flourish if you sprayed clethodim around mid to late April. My hypothesis is your good stuff is getting choked out by cool season grasses.

I have CRP in SE MN(probably a different plan) but my MCM allows mowing or burning. You may want to double check with your office if mowing is OK.

If you can't or don't want to spray or mow, I would burn mid to late April once the cool season grasses are green. I also would NOT use 5#/acre of RC Bigrock or you'll have a switchgrass monoculture. 1-2# max and I'd drill it after the burn.
Good luck, please share your method and results!