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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Reed Canarygrass
The only forage grass that thrives in seasonally flooded and waterlogged soils. Aggressive stabilization for wet fields and bottomlands. Phalaris arundinacea.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The wet soil specialist—Reed Canarygrass dominates sites that are too wet for every other forage grass. Seasonally flooded fields, drainage swales, pond margins, and poorly drained bottomlands are its habitat. Its aggressive rhizome system stabilizes wet soils while producing usable forage and hay. Newer low-alkaloid varieties have improved palatability, addressing the historical complaint that livestock find Reed Canarygrass less palatable than alternatives. Use it where nothing else survives the water.
Category
Grass
Type
Reed Canarygrass
Scientific Name
Phalaris arundinacea
Zones
2-7
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The wet soil specialist—Reed Canarygrass dominates sites that are too wet for every other forage grass. Seasonally flooded fields, drainage swales, pond margins, and poorly drained bottomlands are its habitat. Its aggressive rhizome system stabilizes wet soils while producing usable forage and hay. Newer low-alkaloid varieties have improved palatability, addressing the historical complaint that livestock find Reed Canarygrass less palatable than alternatives. Use it where nothing else survives the water.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Identify wet/flooded sites; prep when workable
Step 2
No specific fertilizer requirement
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Lightly incorporate or press into surface
Step 5
Plant in early spring when wet
Step 6
Slow establishment; no graze/cut in year one
Best For
Poorly drained fields and bottomlands|Seasonally flooded agricultural land|Drainage swales and waterways on farmland|Buffer strips between fields and water bodies|Wet pasture where no other grass survives|Stabilization of wet, eroding sites|Low-lying areas that hold standing water in spring
FAQs
1.
What is bentgrass?
Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) is a tall, aggressive, rhizomatous perennial grass that thrives in wet, poorly drained, and seasonally flooded soils. It is the highest-yielding grass for consistently wet sites, producing 3-6 tons of dry matter per acre on soils too wet for other productive forages. Reed canarygrass grows 3-6 feet tall and tolerates standing water, high water tables, and spring flooding that kills timothy, orchardgrass, and bromegrass.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Reed canarygrass tolerates prolonged flooding and standing water better than any other productive forage grass. It survives 4-6 weeks of spring flooding and grows actively at water table depths of 0-12 inches below the surface. However, it does not grow submerged like aquatic plants—it tolerates intermittent flooding, not permanent inundation. For sites with permanent standing water, consult with a wetland specialist rather than planting reed canarygrass.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Reed canarygrass is considered invasive in many regions, particularly in natural wetlands where it displaces native vegetation. Once established, it is nearly impossible to eradicate due to its aggressive rhizome system. Plant reed canarygrass only on agricultural land where its spread can be managed—not adjacent to natural wetlands, stream corridors, or conservation areas. Check with your state's natural resources agency before planting, as some states restrict or discourage reed canarygrass use.
4.
What is the seeding rate for reed canarygrass?
Seed reed canarygrass at 8-12 lbs per acre for pure stands, or 5-8 lbs per acre in mixes. For small areas, approximately 0.25-0.5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. Reed canarygrass seed requires specific conditions for good germination: plant 0.25-0.5 inches deep in a firm seedbed in late summer (August-September) or frost-seed in late winter (February-March). Reed canarygrass establishes slowly in year one but becomes dominant by year two through aggressive rhizome expansion.
5.
Is reed canarygrass palatable to livestock?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
What are the best uses for reed canarygrass?
Use reed canarygrass for hay or pasture production on wet agricultural land, waterway stabilization, buffer strips along drainage ditches, and grassed waterways in crop fields. It excels on sites with high water tables, spring flooding, and heavy clay soils that remain saturated for extended periods. Reed canarygrass is also used for bioenergy production and nutrient filtration in constructed wetlands. It is not suitable for lawns, ornamental plantings, or areas adjacent to natural wetlands.