Tef has an extremely small seed, so seeding depth is critical. Tef needs a firm seedbed for establishment. Increase seeding rate if using for forage/grazing. Planting in a mixture can enhance performance as a covercrop. · Sow seeds no deeper than ¼ inch (6 mm.). Broadcast the tiny seeds from late May through July. Keep the seedbed moist. After only about three weeks, seedlings are fairly drought tolerant. Mow teff to a height of 3 to 4 inches tall (8-10 cm.) every seven to eight weeks. A warm-season grass that grows very quickly in the summer heat. When seeded at 8–12 lb./acre, it produces a dense stand capable of outcompeting many summer annual weeds. · Allen Arthur is a part-time farmer from Harrison County, Kentucky. He previously grew teffgrass as a covercrop and occasionally baled it to feed beef cattle. Then, he strayed away from the livestock enterprise and devoted his time to solely making hay. Most research on growing teff for biomass (rather than grain) has focused on forage use of teff, and there are no reports of studies using teff as a companion crop with legumes or other cover cops. Although buckwheat and sudangrass are the most common covercrop choices in the summer, teff holds some advantages over them. Teff tolerates dry conditions better than buckwheat or sudangrass. · Teff grass is easy to grow, and can be planted in a variety of climates. In this article, we will discuss how to plant teff grass, from choosing the right seeds to harvesting your crop.
