I think it is safe to say that we have had a winter. Not just a turning of the calendar, but an actual extended period of time with single digit temperatures and snow-covered ground. As we have moved into mid-February, we are seeing the expected large temperature swings. While there may be a question every day of how thick a coat to wear, the temperature swings are creating opportunities to improve our pastures in advance of spring green-up. The repeated freezing and thawing of the ground is helping to loosen up our soils, creating the ideal situation to have greater success frost seeding our pastures and hay fields to increase the quality of forages produced.
Normally we utilize planters to provide precision placement of the seed below the soil surface, where they can gain and maintain the moisture needed to germinate and sprout properly. Frost seeding lacks the precision of a planter but it allows us to get out onto our pastures to broadcast seed and then allow mother nature to work that seed into the soil for germination once soil temperatures increase to desirable levels. Frozen ground, or questionable soil conditions, keep us from dragging the planter out this early. Being able to broadcast seed allows you to get out in the fields a little earlier, with lower expenses, but you compromise germination of all the seeds that were spread. The freezing and thawing of the ground helps work broadcast seed into the soil profile, increasing the likelihood of success.
Source : osu.edu