Nurse crop for switchgrass- yes/no?

[Chessy56]

I've noted several techniques to prepping/planting switchgrass (John Komp's videos, Roger Samson's FB page, etc.). Last year's attempts failed miserably as I didn't do the necessary weed control. Weeds have been burned down 2X so far, with a couple more sprayings of Gly in the coming weeks. Being that one of my marsh beds was literally baked to a hard concrete-like surface with last year's drought, I was toying with the idea of a nurse crop to provide a bit of vegetative matter to shade some of the sun and prevent baking the soil again if we've another drought event. Not finding much on nurse crops. I've got Kanlow/Alamo for the wet marsh area and RCBR for the plot screens. Can I get your thoughts as to nurse crops for SG beds? If yes, I've heard either cereal rye or oats as an option, 50#/A max. Oats would self terminate with the first frost; I'd have to kill the rye manually if it's needed. Then, I was looking to wait until green-up, hit the beds with Gly once more & broadcast the seed among the dead stubble, followed by a pass with the cultipacker (sorry, no drill nor experience with one). I have sufficient cereal rye seed if I need to go that route, but no oats. Is one better than the other? Thanks!

 

[omicron1792]

I used Milo and did well with mine.

 

[buckdeer1]

I did the same thing almost as I do where Im planting trees.I plant winter wheat then spray same day as I start planting trees or if NWSG just drill and spray before the NWSG sprouts.I always keep my NWSG mowed about a foot high at least the first year.