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How to Grow Orchardgrass 'Baridana'

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Orchardgrass 'Baridana'

Dactylis glomerata 'Baridana'

grass

Orchardgrass 'Baridana' is a cool-season perennial grass cultivar bred for improved forage and turf quality. It features fine-textured leaves and dense growth, making it excellent for pastures, hay production, and erosion control. This variety is known for superior digestibility and palatability for livestock compared to standard orchardgrass.

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Example Orchardgrass 'Baridana' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Orchardgrass 'Baridana'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Orchardgrass 'Baridana'

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Orchardgrass 'Baridana' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 5-8 hours of sunlight daily optimal
💧
Water: Moderate water needs; requires consistent moisture during establishment (first 4-6 weeks). Established plants are drought-tolerant but perform best with 1-1.5 inches of water per week during growing season. Reduce watering in winter.
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Spacing: Broadcast seed at 8-10 pounds per acre or space transplants 12-18 inches apart inches
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Days to maturity: 45-60 days to visible growth; full establishment 2-3 years for pastoral use
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Planting depth: Surface sown or very shallow (0.1-0.25 inches); light is required for germination

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, tolerates a wide range of soil types
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Lime to raise pH if acidic Compost for organic matter Balanced fertilizer (N-P-K) at establishment

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-8, with best performance in zones 3-7

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

1

Germination

1-2 weeks

Tiny seedlings with 2-3 initial leaves emerge, requiring consistent soil moisture and light exposure

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; provide good light exposure; avoid heavy foot traffic. Germination occurs in 7-14 days at 50-70°F.

2

Seedling/Establishment

3-6 weeks

Grass develops deeper root systems and 4-6 true leaves; tuft formation begins with fine-textured foliage

Maintain consistent moisture; avoid grazing or mowing during this phase. Light fertilization (10-15 lbs N per acre) can boost vigor.

3

Vegetative Growth

3-8 weeks

Dense tuft development with multiple shoots; fine, dark green blade production; strong root establishment

First mowing can occur at 3-4 inches; maintain height at 2-4 inches for turf or allow taller growth for forage. Ensure adequate moisture.

4

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Distinctive panicles (seedheads) emerge with clustered flowers; plant height increases to 18-30 inches

For forage, harvest at boot stage or early heading for maximum nutrition. For turf, mow to prevent seedhead production if desired. Allow some to flower for seed production.

5

Seed Maturation & Dormancy

4-8 weeks

Seedheads mature and dry; plant enters dormancy in fall/winter; basal growth remains green in cool climates

For seed harvest, allow heads to dry completely before collection. For grazing/hay, harvest before full maturity. Reduce nitrogen fertilization in fall.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Tall Fescue Perennial Ryegrass Timothy Clover (white or red) Alfalfa Birdsfoot Trefoil

Avoid planting near:

Dense shade trees (competes poorly) Poorly drained areas (prefers drainage)

Common Pests

  • Increase moisture to reduce mite populations; tolerant varieties like 'Baridana' show resistance

  • Monitor for damage; use parasitic wasps or spinosad spray if necessary; rotate grazing to disrupt lifecycles

  • Maintains vigor through proper irrigation to tolerate damage; apply Bacillus thuringiensis if populations are severe

  • Remove infected seedheads; avoid excess nitrogen late in season; select resistant varieties like 'Baridana'

Uses

🍳

Livestock Forage

Culinary

'Baridana' is bred specifically for superior forage quality, providing highly digestible feed for cattle, sheep, and horses. Its fine texture and good palatability make it a preferred choice for pasture mixes. [source]

🍳

Hay Production

Culinary

Excellent for hay making, especially when harvested at boot stage. Produces high-quality, nutrient-dense hay that supports animal growth and milk production. [source]

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Turf and Sports Fields

Household

'Baridana' establishes dense, fine-textured turf suitable for sports fields, golf courses, and general lawn applications with improved traffic tolerance. [source]

🦋

Erosion Control & Habitat

Wildlife

Strong root system helps stabilize banks and prevent soil erosion on slopes and disturbed areas. Provides cover and seed for wildlife. [source]

🎨

Seed Production

Craft

Can be grown for commercial seed production, particularly valuable as a foundation grass in pasture seed mixes. [source]

Harvest Tips

For forage/hay: Harvest at boot stage or early head emergence (flag leaf fully visible) for highest digestibility. Cut when 6-12 inches tall. For pasture: Graze at 3-4 inch height and rest for 3-4 weeks between grazing cycles. For seed: Allow seedheads to dry completely (usually mid-summer), then collect by swathing and threshing.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 'Baridana' was developed in France as a superior cultivar with improved disease resistance and forage quality compared to common orchardgrass
  • 🌱 Orchardgrass is one of the earliest cool-season grasses to initiate growth in spring, often emerging 2-3 weeks before other major forage grasses
  • 🌱 The name 'orchardgrass' comes from its historical use as the primary grass grown in orchards, where it thrived under partial shade from fruit trees while providing pasture

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Germination Partial Shade Perennial pH True Leaves
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