Which Grass to Plant

[NorCalFarms]

I am planning on planting some new pastures this spring and I am wondering if anyone has any advice on which varieties to plant. We have a short growing season, usually greens up in late March and starts freezing down about this time of year. We can usually graze from mid-April to Oct 1. All of my ground is irrigated and is a sandy loam. I have been planting 'Fawn' tall fescue and have been pleased with the results, it will yield good all year if it is irrigated and fertilized well. I have heard there are some more palatable varieties out there, but I don't know where to look. That is one problem with the fescue, the cows prefer anything else that is in the pasture so it has to be a pure stand. I am willing to try other kinds of grasses, that is just what has worked in the past.
I also have one little patch of REALLY sandy, almost gravel ground that has some rocks and good soil in it, I have no idea what to plant there. Maybe some real hardy, deep rooted grass?
I see most of you are from warmer areas but any advice is appreciated. Oh ya, I am in N. California at about 4100' elevation so the grass has to be winter hardy.

 

[J. T.]

I'm from the Deep South and I'm not familiar with your area, but if fescue is working for you, I'd stick with it. Check with your Land Grant university for advice. On the gravelly, rocky soil, I'd suggest lespedeza IF you were in Alabama. But I'm not sure about northern California. Again, call the local "cow college." ;-)