Millet Grass

About Millet Grass

Millet grass is a fast-growing summer forage and cover crop, commonly used for its quick establishment, heat tolerance, and soil-conditioning benefits. It's typically grown from Japanese Millet or White French Millet, and is an annual grass that thrives in warm conditions. It provides excellent ground cover, suppresses weeds, and reduces erosion risk on bare or disturbed soils.

Best Uses & Applications

• Ideal for erosion control, dust suppression, and temporary cover

• Commonly used on construction sites, rehab areas, and exposed soils during warmer months

• Suitable for pasture improvement or as a forage crop

• Excellent intercrop or break crop in rotational systems

• Useful in revegetation projects where rapid summer coverage is needed

Growth Timeline & Establishment

• Germination: 3–7 days under warm, moist conditions

• Full establishment: 2–4 weeks

• Millet is valued for fast canopy development, creating a dense mat that protects soil

Best Time to Hydroseed This Grass

• Spring through early autumn is optimal

• Prefers soil temperatures above 18°C – it will not perform well in cool or frosty conditions

• Excellent for summer hydroseeding programs

Best Locations & Soil Conditions

• Performs best in well-drained soils but adapts to a range of soil types

• Great for sandy loams, light clays, and disturbed construction soils

• Highly suitable for low rainfall regions or sites with limited irrigation

Aftercare Tips

• Watering: Keep moist during establishment; after that, millet is relatively drought-tolerant

• Mowing: Not usually required unless used for pasture or green manure

• Fertilising: A starter fertiliser rich in nitrogen and phosphorus is beneficial

• Reseeding: Being an annual, millet will not regrow the following season—resow as needed or transition to a permanent seed mix