Seed-Based Solutions For Erosion Control, Stormwater Management, Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat Mark B. Fiely Ernst Conservation Seeds

Transcription

1 Seed-Based Solutions For Erosion Control, Stormwater Management, Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat Mark B. Fiely Ernst Conservation Seeds

2 Seeding is not for the impatient!

3 So why do we establish meadows with seed?

4 Comparison Of Establishment Methods Seeding Lower cost of materials Faster installation on a large scale Transplanting Quicker results Get the diversity you install Less labor intensive

5 Keys To Successful Meadow Establishment Control pre-existing vegetation Good seed to soil contact Proper post-planting maintenance

6 Site Preparation 1. Get a soil test (Penn State has a warm season grass analysis) 2. Completely control all existing vegetation 3. Lime soil as needed (ph 5.5 to 7.0 desired) 4. Do not fertilize with nitrogen 5. If soil is heavily compacted, add 1 to 2 inches well decomposed compost, incorporate to 6 inches with roto-tiller.

7 Site Preparation: Remove Pre-Existing Vegetation

8 Site Preparation: Remove Debris

9 Site Preparation: Disking/Tilling

10 Seed Selection Look To Nature For Guidance

11 Seed Selection

12 Seed Selection Riparian Corridor Riparian Floodplain

13 Looking To Nature For Guidance Bigelow Cemetery, Irwin, OH

14 Seed Mix Design Parameters 1. How wet will the site be during the growing season? 2. How many hours of direct sunlight will the site receive? 3. What will be the level of commitment to maintenance? Time and labor! 4. Importance of sight lines? 5. Budget for seed?

15 Always Remember! Sight lines! Avoid using species that produce stick tight seeds in an urban landscape! Avoid species that rip or tear. Near side walks, a strip of turf may be appropriate to reduce potential trip hazards.

16 Remember Sight Lines!

17 Avoid stick tight species in residential settings!

18 Seeding Rates For Aesthetics And Erosion Control < 3:1 Slope - 20 bulk lbs seed mix/acre + cover crop >3:1 Slope 40 to 45 bulk lbs seed mix/acre + cover crop

19 Seeding Rates For Small Game < 3:1 Slope 7 lbs PLS seed mix/acre + cover crop

20 Pure Live Seed (PLS) A standardization term used in the native seed trade for 20 years. Enables an accurate comparison of multiple vendors seed cost relative to quality.

21 Calculating % Pure Live Seed (PLS) %PLS = (purity*viability)*100 Example: seed lot is 78% pure and 62% viable. %PLS = 0.78*0.62 = 48.36% PLS

22 Ordering Pure Live Seed (PLS) When ordering by PLS, quantity received will = desired lbs PLS/(seed lot % PLS/100) Example: Ordering 38 lbs PLS of a seed mix that is 78% pure and 62% viable. 38/(48.36/100) = bulk lbs

23 Don t Get Burned Have bids itemize seed cost.

24 Seeding: Seed to Soil Contact Is Important 1. Drilling provides best seed to soil contact, not appropriate for small areas 2. Broadcast followed by firming provides good seed to soil contact and can be done on small areas 3. Hydroseeding provides poorest seed to soil contact and is best used on hard to reach areas (i.e. steep slopes, wetlands)

25 Seeding Tips When broadcast seeding or drilling, plant in two separate, perpendicular passes over the field. A filler material such as kitty litter (50 lbs/acre) may be useful to facilitate a more uniform planting.

26 Seeding Methods: Drilling

27 Seeding Methods: Broadcasting

28 Seeding Methods: Hydroseeding

29 Mulching 1. Not necessary for drilled sites lbs/acre weed free straw on broadcast sites (50% soil cover) lbs hydromulch with seed, and 1000 lbs over top when hydroseeding.

30 Erosion Control With Natives: Can It Be Done?

31 Congressional Country Club

32 Congressional Country Club

33 Millcreek Mall, Lancaster PA Establishment Year

34 Millcreek Mall, Lancaster PA 2 nd Growing Season

35 How Do Herbaceous Materials Reduce Erosion Foliage intercepts droplets Rosettes and leaf litter provide a cushion close to the soil surface Fibrous roots bind the soil. Deep roots anchor the soil.

36 Erosion Control By The Years 1st Growing Season: Erosion control blankets, cover crop, wildrye 2 nd and 3 rd Growing Season Wildrye, fast growing warm season grasses, annual wildflowers, fast growing perennial wildflowers 4 th Growing Season and Beyond Long lived perennial grasses and wildflowers

37 Stormwater Basins Choose species that give you a hedge against unexpected hydrological conditions.

38 Stormwater Basins: Hedge Against Unexpected Hydrology

39 Post Planting Maintenance Growing Season 1 1. Trim meadow to a height of 8 inches when canopy height reaches 18 to 20 inches. 2. Spot spray or hand pull problem weeds.

40 Post Planting Maintenance Growing Season 2 (Special Circumstances) If annual weeds such as foxtail or ragweed are a problem, trim meadow to a height of 8 inches when canopy height or ragweed reaches 18 to 24 inches, or when foxtail begins to show its seed head.

41 Post Planting Maintenance Growing Season 2 and Beyond 1. Trim the meadow as close to the ground as possible prior to onset of new growth. 2. Spot spray or hand pull problem weeds.

42 Post Planting Maintenance Budget For This!

43 Expectations for Native Meadows 1. Since most native species available by seed are perennials, the meadow is likely to live more than a decade. 2. The meadow will change with each passing year. 3. Some species may not bloom until year For any given site, one or more species in a mix may not grow.

44 Expectations for Native Meadows 5. Growth rates of native meadow species correspond, in part, to length of growing season and temperature. 6. If instant gratification is desired by customer, supplement meadow with transplants or establish entire meadow with transplants.

45 Why Do Meadow Plantings Fail?

46 Why Do Meadow Plantings Fail? 1. Herbicide residues from previous year, or herbicide run-off from upslope. 2. ph 3. Presence of mulch 4. Soil compaction 5. Poor pre-plant weed control

47 Why Do Meadow Plantings Fail 6. Erosion 7. Wildlife 8. Lack of or improper maintenance 9. Drought following a planting within 2 to 6 weeks

48 Questions in the future? (800)