How to Grow Orchard Grass 'Lato'

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Orchard Grass 'Lato'

Dactylis glomerata 'Lato'

grass

Orchard Grass 'Lato' is a cool-season perennial grass variety bred for improved forage production and palatability in temperate climates. It features deep root systems and excellent drought tolerance once established, making it ideal for pastures, hay production, and erosion control. This cultivar is particularly valued for its late-heading characteristics, extending the growing season and improving feed quality.

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

Plant Orchard Grass 'Lato'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Orchard Grass 'Lato'
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade

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Water: Moderate water needs; drought tolerant once established. Water regularly during establishment (first 4-6 weeks). Established plants require 20-30 inches annual precipitation or supplemental irrigation during dry periods.

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Spacing: 6-12 inches apart for seeding; broadcast or drill seed at 10-15 lbs per acre inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days for first harvest; reaches peak productivity in year 2

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches (shallow seeding)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to clay-loam soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

compost aged manure lime if pH below 6.0

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-8, with optimal performance in cool-season regions

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

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Growth Stages

Germination & Establishment

2-4 weeks

Seedlings emerge with fine, narrow leaves; shallow fibrous roots develop rapidly

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid heavy grazing or cutting until plants reach 4-6 inches tall. Maintain weed control through light cultivation or competitive seeding rates.

Vegetative Growth (Spring)

4-6 weeks

Rapid leaf development; dense basal tillers form; plant height reaches 12-24 inches

Light nitrogen application (30-50 lbs N/acre) in early spring promotes vigor. Monitor for pests. First cutting can occur at boot stage (pre-heading) for quality forage.

Heading & Flowering (Late Spring to Early Summer)

2-3 weeks

Characteristic clustered flower heads emerge; seed heads develop; plant reaches full height of 24-36 inches

Late-heading 'Lato' maintains higher nutritive value longer than standard varieties. Harvest at late boot to early heading stage for optimal forage quality. Delay cutting if prolonged grazing desired.

Seed Development & Summer Dormancy

3-4 weeks

Seeds mature in compact panicles; plant begins to lignify and mature; growth slows in heat

Allow some plants to set seed for natural reseeding if desired. Manage grazing to prevent overutilization. Provide supplemental water during drought to maintain productivity.

Fall Regrowth

4-8 weeks

Second and third growth flushes occur; new tillers develop; lush green growth returns

Apply balanced fertilizer (20-30 lbs N/acre) in early fall. Second cutting available in fall. Prepare plants for winter dormancy by late fall.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Legumes (alfalfa, clover) Birdsfoot trefoil Perennial ryegrass Timothy grass

Avoid planting near:

Allelopathic species requiring investigation Extremely wet bottomland areas

Common Pests

Monitor for damage; encourage natural predators; use insecticides only if populations exceed economic threshold; rotate grazing pressure
Ensure rapid establishment; avoid excessive nitrogen; use resistant varieties; insecticide treatment rarely necessary
Remove infected seed heads before grazing; practice crop rotation; avoid harvesting seed from infected plants; select resistant varieties
and
Ensure adequate air circulation and drainage; avoid overhead irrigation; remove heavily infected plants; apply fungicides if economically justified

Uses

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Livestock Forage

Culinary

Orchard Grass 'Lato' is a premium forage for cattle, sheep, horses, and goats, providing nutritious pasture and high-quality hay with excellent palatability and digestibility when harvested at proper growth stage. [source]

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Erosion Control & Soil Stabilization

Household

The deep, extensive root system makes 'Lato' excellent for stabilizing slopes, controlling erosion, and improving soil structure in pastures and conservation areas. [source]

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Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife

Provides cover and food for grassland birds, insects, and other wildlife; supports beneficial predatory insects that control agricultural pests. [source]

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Pasture & Rangeland Renovation

Household

Used in pasture renovation mixes and overseeding programs to improve productivity and species composition in degraded or underproductive grazing lands. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

Grasses in the Dactylis genus have been used in traditional herbal medicine preparations and are rich in nutritive compounds; modern herbal practitioners use grass-based products for nutritional support. [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 late boot to early heading stage (typically late May to early June in northern regions) when plants reach 12-18 inches tall. Moisture content should be 25-40% for baling. For grazing: Allow plants to reach 6-8 inches before grazing; move livestock when plants decline to 2-3 inches to prevent overutilization. 'Lato' variety allows extended grazing windows due to late heading. Second cutting/grazing possible 4-6 weeks after first harvest in favorable conditions.

Fun Facts

🌱 Orchard Grass received its common name because it was traditionally sown in orchards where its shade tolerance allowed it to thrive beneath fruit trees while providing grazing for livestock.
🌱 'Lato' is a Latvian cultivar bred specifically for late heading, allowing farmers to harvest higher-quality forage by delaying seed head development by 1-2 weeks compared to standard Orchard Grass varieties.
🌱 Orchard Grass has a unique clustered inflorescence (seed head formation) called a panicle that distinguishes it from timothy grass, and its deep root system can extend 3-4 feet into the soil, accessing water and nutrients unavailable to shallower-rooted plants.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Cultivar Full Sun Partial Shade Perennial

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