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How to Grow Orchard Grass Barolex

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Orchard Grass Barolex

Dactylis glomerata 'Barolex'

grass

Barolex is a high-yielding perennial cool-season grass cultivar developed for pasture and hay production. It is a tetraploid variety of orchard grass, offering improved forage quality and palatability compared to standard diploid types. Known for excellent drought tolerance and persistence in mixed grazing systems.

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Example Orchard Grass Barolex timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Orchard Grass Barolex

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Orchard Grass Barolex

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Orchard Grass Barolex dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade but performs best in open conditions
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Water: Moderate watering during establishment (first 4-6 weeks). Once established, fairly drought-tolerant; requires 15-25 inches annual rainfall. Reduce watering during dormancy.
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Spacing: Broadcast or drill at 15-20 lbs/acre for pasture; 25-30 lbs/acre for hay. In gardens, space individual plants 6-12 inches apart. inches
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Days to maturity: 45-60 days to establishment; reaches productive stage in 60-90 days; full productivity by second year
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Planting depth: Seed sown at surface or lightly pressed into soil (no deeper than 0.25 inches); requires good seed-soil contact

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil; tolerates a wide range of soil types from sandy to clay loams
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Lime to raise pH in acidic soils Phosphorus and potassium for establishment Organic matter to improve soil structure

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-7, with best performance in cool temperate climates

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

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Seeds germinate in 7-10 days under favorable conditions. Seedlings produce fine, narrow leaves and shallow root systems.

Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Protect young seedlings from heavy grazing or mechanical damage. Avoid herbicide applications.

2

Establishment & Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks

Plants develop deeper root systems and leaf tillers. Growth is active during spring and early summer; tillers multiply to create dense turf.

Ensure adequate phosphorus and potassium. Allow 4-6 weeks of undisturbed growth before first grazing. Monitor for competing weeds.

3

Boot & Elongation

2-3 weeks

Seed heads begin to form within leaf sheaths (boot stage). Culms (stems) elongate rapidly as the plant enters the heading stage.

This is the optimal growth period for hay harvest. Monitor moisture levels as nutrient demands increase. Avoid heavy grazing.

4

Heading & Flowering

1-2 weeks

Panicles emerge and flowers open, typically in late spring to early summer. Plant reaches maximum height (24-36 inches).

Harvest hay at boot to early heading stage for best nutritional quality. For pasture, graze after flowering to reduce seed head palatability issues.

5

Seed Maturity & Dormancy

Variable; dormancy period 4-12 weeks depending on climate

Seeds mature and dry down. Plant enters summer dormancy if moisture is limited; regrows in fall with cooler temperatures and moisture.

Allow seed maturation if collecting seed. Provide rest periods to prevent over-grazing. Fall rains trigger secondary growth flush.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Clover (white, red, or crimson) Birdsfoot trefoil Alfalfa Timothy grass Perennial ryegrass Chicory

Avoid planting near:

Herbicide-treated areas (recent applications) Dense shade from large trees Poorly drained swampy areas Extremely acidic soils below pH 5.0

Common Pests

  • Monitor for larvae; use biological controls or insecticides if severe. Maintain good stand vigor to recover from damage.

  • Rarely problematic in well-managed stands. Use targeted insecticides only if populations exceed economic threshold.

  • Affects seedlings; delay planting or use resistant seed lots. Ensure good establishment vigor.

  • Remove infected seed heads to prevent toxin accumulation. Choose resistant cultivars and avoid overly dense stands.

Uses

🍳

Livestock Feed

Culinary

Barolex provides high-quality forage for cattle, sheep, horses, and goats. Superior palatability and digestibility compared to standard orchard grass, especially when harvested at boot stage, makes it excellent for both hay and pasture systems. [source]

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Pasture & Hay Production

Household

Widely used in rotational grazing systems and hay operations. Its drought tolerance and persistence reduce input costs while maintaining productivity across multiple years. [source]

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Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife

Provides cover and forage for wild ungulates, upland game birds, and beneficial insects. Dense growth creates microhabitat structure valued in conservation grazing programs. [source]

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Erosion Control & Soil Stabilization

Household

Robust root system prevents soil erosion on slopes and disturbed areas. Commonly used in restoration projects and conservation programs to stabilize riparian zones and hillsides. [source]

💊

Cereal Grass & Nutrition

Medicinal

Young orchard grass shoots are nutrient-dense and contain minerals, vitamins, and chlorophyll. Can be harvested as cereal grass juice or dried fodder for nutritional supplementation in agricultural settings. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

For hay: Cut at boot to early heading stage (late May-June in most zones) for maximum forage quality and digestibility. Ensure moisture is below 20% before baling. For pasture: Graze when plants reach 3-4 inches, allow recovery to 2-3 inches before next grazing. Can achieve 2-3 grazing cycles per growing season depending on rainfall and temperature.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Barolex is a tetraploid (4n) cultivar, meaning it has four sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two. This genetic manipulation increases vigor, forage quality, and seed size compared to diploid orchard grass varieties.
  • 🌱 Orchard grass was historically called 'cock's foot' in Europe due to the distinctive claw-like panicle structure resembling a rooster's foot, which distinguishes it from other grass species.
  • 🌱 Despite its name, orchard grass does not prefer shade despite historical use under fruit trees—it actually performs best in full sun and loses productivity under dense canopy cover.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Cultivar Full Sun Partial Shade Perennial pH
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