Text Box: National Weather Service Monthly Precip (Inches) Laramie Regional Airport—Preliminary Data Source: http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=cys Mon 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Jan 0.06 0.04 0.13 0.30 0.03 0.13 0.05 0.31 0.14 Feb 0.07 0.25 0.10 0.20 0.05 0.09 0.16 0.04 0.30 Mar 0.95 0.95 0.00 0.49 0.21 0.85 0.26 0.06 0.50 Apr 0.23 1.28 1.32 0.81 0.58 0.95 0.38 1.30 2.14 May 0.82 1.73 0.69 1.06 0.86 1.42 3.59 1.36 1.24 Jun 0.38 0.82 2.86 3.29 0.46 0.33 1.81 2.36 2.29 Jul 0.50 1.11 1.07 0.97 1.57 2.20 0.58 2.30 0.78 Aug 1.47 0.78 1.77 0.70 1.40 1.74 1.56 1.03 Sep 0.58 0.76 3.03 0.43 1.25 1.51 1.19 0.90 Oct 0.75 0.46 0.62 1.05 0.61 1.42 0.18 0.96 Nov 0.06 0.59 0.22 0.71 0.06 0.07 0.24 0.38 Dec 0.07 0.42 0.04 0.06 0.09 0.35 0.20 0.72 Annual Totals 5.94 9.19 11.85 10.07 7.17 11.06 10.20 11.04 7.39

 

WARM SEASON vs. COOL SEASON GRASSES

 

By

Michelle Sutherburg, LRCD Seasonal Tech

LRCD Summer Range Technician

Parameters such as precipitation and temperature can dictate the outcome of the growing season. Knowing the advantages and drawbacks for both warm and cool season grasses has proven beneficial in maximizing desired benefits.

  

Warm season grasses are desirable because they conserve water and nutrients relative to cool season grasses. This attribute can make the warm season grasses look like an ideal fit for this region. However, both warm and cool season grasses have recognizable values throughout the growing season. During the dry summer months, the warm season grasses produce greater biomass mutually above and below ground compared to cool season. Some species of warm season grasses remain green allowing an aesthetic appeal to the landscape while providing palatable forage. A notable drawback for warm season grasses is the short growing season. These grasses remain dormant until late spring and will return to a dormant state by the first fall freeze. Cool season grasses will lay dormant during the hot dry summer months, but do begin producing early in spring bringing needed forage for wildlife and livestock. With cool season grasses picking up production again in the fall, they also have the advantage of achieving a source of dense cover faster than the warm season grasses. Although soil preparations for both types of grasses are the same, the ideal time for planting is different between the two. Developing a strategy for utilizing both warm and cool season grasses can extend forage opportunities and reduce potential erosion issues during the spring rains and snowmelt.

 

Local examples of cool season grasses: western wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass.

Local examples of warm season grasses: blue grama, buffalograss

 

For more information on when to plant for warm and cool season grasses or determining the best strategy for your needs, please contact us at Laramie Rivers Conservation District. 307-721-0072.

Albany County’s 2010 Arbor Day Winners were  Emily Brande, U of WY Lab School, and Dominic Gillen, SACC Program.  This year’s theme was “Trees are Terrific  and Energy Wise!”