In short
- A horse pasture seed rate calculator turns your acres, grass and seeding method into pounds of seed and the number of 50-lb bags.
- UF/IFAS rates: 20 to 30 lb per acre for Pensacola or Argentine bahiagrass, 10 to 15 for seeded bermudagrass, 90 to 120 for winter oats or rye.
- Best window in Marion County: June to August for bahiagrass; mid-October to mid-November for winter overseeding.
- Quantities only, with no prices. A pasture or fence contractor quotes the planting.
On this page
This horse pasture seed rate calculator is for Ocala and Marion County owners who are renovating or planting a pasture. It sits beside our acres per horse calculator (how much land you need) and the pasture rotation calculator (how to split it); this one answers how much seed to buy.
En español: calculadora de semilla para pasto de caballos
| Your numbers | Result |
|---|
Example: 7.5 acres of Pensacola bahiagrass, drilled. Rates are UF/IFAS published figures; the tag box is blank.
How the seed is worked out
- Area.
Acres, or length x width in feet divided by 43,560. 7.5 acres is 326,700 square feet.
- Rate.
The UF/IFAS range for your grass. Drilled uses the whole range; broadcast uses the middle to the top (our assumption).
- Pounds.
Acres x rate. 7.5 x 20 to 30 = 150 to 225 lb.
- Tag adjustment.
If you enter a pure live seed percent, pounds = rate / percent. At 80 percent, 150 lb becomes 187.5 lb.
- Bags.
Pounds divided by 50, rounded up: 150 / 50 = 3 and 225 / 50 = 4.5, so 3 to 5 bags.
Published seeding rates and windows
| Grass | Lb per acre | Plant |
|---|---|---|
| Bahiagrass, Pensacola or Argentine | 20 to 30 | Jun to Aug |
| Bahiagrass, Tifton 9 or UF-Riata | 15 to 20 | Jun to Aug |
| Bermudagrass, seeded | 10 to 15 | Jun to Aug |
| Oats | 90 to 120 | Sep 15 to Nov 15 |
| Rye | 90 to 120 | Oct 15 to Nov 15 |
| Ryegrass | 20 to 25 | Oct 15 to Nov 15 |
Bahiagrass and bermudagrass can go in as early as March with irrigation. Without irrigation, UF/IFAS says to avoid late March through early May.
Bags of Pensacola bahiagrass by acres
| Acres | Drilled: bags | Broadcast: bags |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 to 2 | 1 to 2 |
| 5 | 2 to 3 | 3 |
| 10 | 4 to 6 | 5 to 6 |
| 20 | 8 to 12 | 10 to 12 |
Arithmetic on the 20 to 30 lb rate; 50-lb bags rounded up. Broadcast uses 25 to 30 lb (our assumption). Seed tag percent left blank.
Watch out: the UF/IFAS sheets give pounds per acre without saying whether that is bulk seed or pure live seed. Read the tag, buy certified seed, and ask your county extension office or seed dealer which basis to use.
Notes for an Ocala pasture
- Seedbed. UF/IFAS says to prepare the seedbed, control weeds first, then pack with a roller before and after seeding.
- Depth. Bahiagrass seed goes 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Burying it too deep is the common mistake.
- Winter overseeding. Bahiagrass is more competitive than bermudagrass, so overseed it a few weeks later, probably November, with tillage or an aggressive no-till drill.
- Keep horses off. Seedlings need time to root; ask your extension office when the new stand can take grazing. See the rotation calculator for the paddock layout.
What this calculator does not cover
- Price. No prices here. See horse barn cost in Ocala and the cost calculator.
- Fertilizer and lime. Soil test rates differ for every field; ask your county extension office.
- Hybrid bermudagrass. Coastal, Tifton 85 and similar are planted as sprigs, not seed.
- Plant safety for horses. Ask a vet or your extension office which forage suits your horses.
Questions to ask a pasture or fence contractor
- Which grass and cultivar? Ask for the rate on the tag and the seed percent.
- Drilled or broadcast? Ask how the seed will be covered and rolled.
- Is seedbed prep in the quote? Use the quote comparison worksheet.
- When will it be planted? Compare against the window in the table.
Next step: get a written quote
This tool estimates quantities, not the price or the job. We are a referral service, not a contractor; we connect visitors with independent local providers. Use the form below to ask independent local builders for a written quote, and read how to choose a horse barn builder first. To compare bids side by side, use the bid comparison calculator.
Sources
- UF/IFAS SS-AGR-332, Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum): Overview and Management: Table 2 seeding rates; rainy-season planting; seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep; roller before and after seeding.
- UF/IFAS SS-AGR-263, Bahiagrass: A Quick Reference: planting date March (irrigated) or June to August; 15 lb or 25 to 30 lb per acre.
- UF/IFAS SS-AGR-264, Bermudagrass: A Quick Reference: seeded bermudagrass 10 to 15 lb per acre, 20 lb if coated.
- UF/IFAS SS-AGR-43, Tillage and Overseeding Pastures for Winter Forage Production in North Florida: Table 2 rates and dates for oats, rye and ryegrass; overseeding bahiagrass after bermudagrass.
Frequently asked questions
How much bahiagrass seed do I need per acre?
UF/IFAS lists 20 to 30 lb per acre for Pensacola and Argentine bahiagrass and 15 to 20 lb per acre for Tifton 9 and UF-Riata (SS-AGR-332). An older UF/IFAS sheet (SS-AGR-263) says 15 lb or 25 to 30 lb and notes that low rates mean more early weed competition. The sheets do not say whether the figure is bulk seed or pure live seed, so check your seed tag.
When should I plant bahiagrass in Marion County?
UF/IFAS says it is best to establish bahiagrass in the rainy season, June to August. With irrigation you can plant as early as March. Without irrigation, UF/IFAS says to avoid late March through early May, which are usually drier.
Is bermudagrass seeded the same way?
Only the seeded types. UF/IFAS SS-AGR-264 gives 10 to 15 lb per acre of seeded bermudagrass, or 20 lb if the seed is coated. The improved hybrids such as Coastal or Tifton 85 do not produce enough seed and are planted as sprigs, so this calculator does not cover them.
How much rye, oats or ryegrass do I need to overseed for winter?
UF/IFAS SS-AGR-43 lists 90 to 120 lb per acre for oats and rye, planted September 15 to November 15 for oats and October 15 to November 15 for rye, and 20 to 25 lb per acre for ryegrass from October 15 to November 15. UF/IFAS advises overseeding bahiagrass a few weeks later than bermudagrass, probably in November, with tillage or an aggressive no-till drill.
Does broadcasting need more seed than drilling?
UF/IFAS tables do not give separate broadcast and drilled rates. Our planning assumption is to use the upper half of the published range when broadcasting and the full range when drilling. Roll or pack the soil, and keep bahiagrass seed no deeper than 1/4 to 1/2 inch.