Contents
- Overview
- Conservation Project Planning and Promotion
- Vegetation Establishment and Maintenance
- Invasive Species Control
Categories
- Plant Identification
- Stormwater Projects
- Prairie Establishment
- Wetland Establishment
- Remnant Prairie Management
- Shoreline Projects
- Pollinator Habitat
- Seed Collection and Seed Mix Use
- Containerized and Bare-root Plant Use
- Upland Maintenance
- Wetland Maintenance
- Restoration Expectations
Plant Identification
There are a number of websites that are helpful for plant identification efforts including:
- Wisflora: Wisconsin vascular plant families www.botany.wisc.edu/wisflora/
- Robert Freckman Herbarium - UWSP http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/search.html
- USDA Plants Database http://plants.usda.gov/
- Bell Museum Herbarium http://www.bellmuseum.org/plants/general_information.htm
-A plant ID guide developed through a BWSR/NRCS partnership is a useful resource for species common in wetland restoration projects. The guide can be found at: www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/plantid/about.html
-The Washington Conservation District has recognized the desire of non-botanists to learn more about vegetation, and realized that identification of plant species is helpful to a wide range of interests; from pure curiosity to the regulatory distinctions between smooth brome grass and reed canary grass. What started as an in-house conversation ("Hey, does anyone know what that blue flower is, blooming along County Road 15?") has evolved into a weekly e-mail and posting on our web-site (www.mnwcd.org). The blurb is not intended as a comprehensive coverage of the species, but focuses on a brief non-technical description of the plant, with enough of the cultural information to support the learning process, with supporting photos. The e-mails are sent as a blind-copy e-list, and photo attachment size is kept as small as practical. For more information, contact Jyneen through the web-site staff directory (or at jyneen.thatcher@mnwcd.org ).
-To help foster more independent maintenance of shoreland plantings and raingardens we developed the "Common Lakeshore Weeds – A Guide for Identification and Control in Shoreland Buffers, Wetlands, and Raingardens." It is a concise, simple, user-friendly resource for landowners to use (Gina Hugo, Sherburne SWCD).
Stormwater Projects
-A recent USGS report http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5077/ provides good information about prairie plant roots ability to penetrate clay soils. The accompanying photo shows the excavation pits they dug for this study, showing the root systems tapping into the dense silty clay. (Wade Johnson, Landscape Restoration Specialist).
-St.Louis County has developed a video on subsurface water treatment systems: www.youtube.com/user/StLouisCountyMN
-Using engineered soil in raingardens and biofiltration areas (70:30 sand:compost mix is commonly used) to improve infiltration (Rusty Schmidt, Washington Conservation District).
-Using containerized plants to establish raingardens instead of seed to ensure rapid establishment and an ordered appearance (Rusty Schmidt, Washington Conservation District).
-Pre-testing work is important to analyze soils and the drainage area for a raingarden (Rusty Schmidt, Washington Conservation District).
-Breaking up compacted soils (particularly in clay) can greatly increase infiltration rates for raingarden and bioretention systems (Rusty Schmidt, Washington Conservation District).
-It is important to water planting (they should receive 1-inch per week) during the first year of establishment. The second year is less important unless conditions are very dry (Rusty Schmidt, Washington Conservation District).
-Use shrubs in masses in raingardens and bioretention areas (pictured right) when little maintenance will be conducted can be effective to minimize weed competition. (Gregg Thompson, Association of Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts).
-Using aggressive rhizomatous species (sweet grass, prairie cord grass, lake sedge, river bank sedge (Carex emoryi) in the base of swales and bioretention areas can promote stormwater filtering while providing weed competition
(Gregg Thompson, Association of Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts).
-Anoka Soil and Water Conservation District has developed a curb-cut pretreatment box to prevent sediment from flowing into rain gardens (pictured left).
-It is beneficial to have woody vegetation in raingardens (dogwoods, viburnum, winterberry, chokeberry etc.) to decrease maintenance and add winter interest. (Tim Olson, University of Minnesota, Facilities Management).
-"Plants for Stormwater Design, Species Selection for the Upper Midwest" is a publication that has been developed to guide the selection of appropriate species for stormwater systems. Volume 1 can be found at:
www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/manuals/stormwaterplants.html. Volume II is available from the non-profit organization Great River Greening www.greatrivergreening.org
-Turf can sometimes be problematic as a buffer strip as it can increase maintenance needs and can need repair if damaged (Tim Olson, University of Minnesota, Facilities Management ).
-Dead herbaceous vegetation can be chopped with a brush saw or sickle bar and be used as a mulch in raingardens in place of wood chips (Tim Olson, University of Minnesota Facilities Management).
-Species such as blue and hoary vervain, black-eyed Susan, bergamot and giant hyssop can be seeded into bare spots in raingardens to create competition for weeds (Tim Olson, University of Minnesota Facilities Management).
-Using larger herbaceous plants (4” to 1-gallon containers) installed in May or June help ensure project success by minimizing impact from wave action, weed competition or other environmental variables.
-Planting the edge of detention basins or embankments in a way that will keep seed from moving downhill (seed drills, harrowing and packing the soil after broadcast or hydroseeding, use of erosion blankets).
-Using edging around raingardens to prevent encroachment from Kentucky bluegrass.
-Using rows of mulch, edging or signage to control encroachment by lawn mowers.
-Creating shelves in retention basins (basins with open water) to create gently sloping areas and facilitate plant growth.
-Planting emergent plants (river bulrush, sweet flag, giant bureed, lake sedge, broad-leaved arrowhead etc.) on the edge of open water and allowing them to grow into open water. These species can handle changing hydrology conditions and can aggressively compete with weeds.
-Watering plantings as needed to ensure good establishment.
-Controlling stormwater flows within systems (diverting flows, retaining water away from establishing areas) while vegetation establishes.
-Regular spot treatment of perennial weeds to prevent spread.
-Using shredded hardwood mulch as it is less prone to floating than other mulches.
-Mowing of upland plantings around detention areas during the first two years to aid establishment of native prairie vegetation.
-Routine removal of sediment to promote growth of vegetation.
-Repair of erosion damage early (before it becomes a bigger problem) to assist vegetation establishment.
-The RWMWD is collaborating with the owners of Maplewood Mall (Simon Properties), on a plan to provide stormwater treatment and volume reduction (infiltration) through the use of cisterns, rain gardens, and infiltration trenches with trees. In addition to substantially reducing runoff, this project will incorporate art and educational components as well. For more information, please visit: www.rwmwd.org/news (Bill Bartodziej, Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District)
-Retrofits to Stormwater Pond as a cost-effective means of improved water quality. We are implementing retrofits in collaboration with the Anoka Conservation District for improved water quality in Sand Creek, a watershed that has a pre-stormwater treatment era build-out:
a. for increased storage and efficiency, we put in a new control structure at a higher elevation of 6-12” on an existing pond on school property.
b. Raising a pond outlet by one foot to infiltrate all runoff from a 2-inch rainfall, redirecting one of the two inlet pipes away from the outlet, and installing two sediment collection forebays at the two inlet pipes.
We also did some summer Culvert-blocking in recent drought years: 2008 & 09 and found that very useful in keeping water in areas where the creek nearly ran dry. A video describing retrofit projects can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m69ft2ifMdw
(Dawn Doering, Coon Creek Watershed District)
Prairie Establishment
To introduce more diversity into woodlands and prairies we have used potted plant materials in islands, in addition to seed. The drawback is higher maintenance with watering and weeding. The benefit is the ability to give the land users a tangible result early on in the establishment period (Gina Hugo, Sherburne SWCD).
- We have really improved our seeding efficiency and the amount of forbs in the plantings through snow seeding. There are optimum conditions that seem to improve results:
- Seed late in the winter when the sun has a higher angle.
- Pick those days when it is partly to mostly sunny and 25 to 35 degrees.
- Too much wind (20+mph) may hamper your ability to seed.
- Too much snow may result in seed movement when it melts –anything less than a foot should be OK.
You must be ready to take advantage of these conditions. By ready, I mean the trucks are loaded and the equipment is on site shortly after daybreak, etc. You should be done seeding for the day around 1:00 P.M. or earlier to allow the sun to have time to warm the seed in the afternoon. Once the seed has been locked in by freezing night-time temperatures it can no longer move laterally. During further snow melt the seed will be pulled in when the top layer of soil is soft. There is no need for further tillage or packing. (Detroit Lakes USFWS Wetland Management District).
-Broadcast seeding later in the spring and early summer is also a proven method for prairie seeding. Based on the experience we have had, along with the other field stations and private contractors, there is a need for some sort of post seeding packing or light dragging to ensure the soil/seed contact. We have used a drag directly behind the implement that has the seeder with no packing, and then with packing(drum style or helicoil) (Detroit Lakes USFWS Wetland Management District).
-Our preferred seedbed is untilled Glyphosate ready soybean stubble. Soybeans are a nitrogen fixer and the Glyphosate is a short-lived herbicide that leaves a clean seed bed with good fertility. This would be the case for new units as well as for older units without natives (Detroit Lakes USFWS Wetland Management District).
-One particularly successful method to seed into existing cover such as brome grass is to do an early burn on a piece you wish to change, then promptly seed into the ash. Wait until the existing plant community is 4 to 8 inches high after the burn and then hit it with a high rate of Roundup. Early burn again in 4 years, hit the stand of introduced survivors when they are only 1 to 2 inches high with Roundup, and the transition will be complete!! While using this technique we have stumbled onto an interesting fact that adult warm season grasses will take a Roundup application even if they have leaves up as much as two inches. This information is helpful when trying to improve a poor seeding that already has some natives (Detroit Lakes USFWS Wetland Management District).
-Ensuring that compacted soils will be loosened before planting is important to ensure that water will infiltrate and roots will be able to expand.
Power rakes are effective site preparation tools for small prairie plantings from seed. Depth adjustments allow for tiller removal prior to surface scarification (Steve Henry, East Otter Tail SWCD).
-Growing glyphosate ready corn or soybeans for two years prior to seeding (particularly for existing brome fields). Just spraying of brome fields in preparation of seeding often has not been successful, some type of tilling is often needed and it is preferred that fields be in agricultural production before seeding
(Renville SWCD).
-A sequence that has worked well for seeding prairie following corn or soybeans involves field cultivation and cultipacking a few weeks before seeding (early May); seeding with a drill is conducted in late May or early June into establishing weeds. 5-7 days after seeding weeds are treated with glyphosate. This herbicide application decreases weed competition (Pheasants Forever).
-Considering time of planting to benefit target vegetation (e.g. seeding in fall to benefit forbs or spring seeding to benefit grasses).
-Using temporary cover crops such as oats to stabilize sites until conditions are suitable for seeding in the fall. If clipped or harvested earlier in the season, remaining stubble can stabilize soil and prevent the need for additional mulch. Additional herbicide treatment may be needed for species such as Canada thistle before fall dormant seeding.
-When broadcast seeding, installing seed shortly after the seedbed is prepared minimizes weed competition.
-Using disk anchored straw mulch or erosion control fabrics protect seedlings by promoting seed to soil contact, maintaining moisture levels and preventing the movement of soil.
-A study is being conducted to determine if planting method (dormant broadcast, summer broadcast, or summer drill) and seed mix diversity (10, 20, or 34 species) can be optimized to both encourage establishment of native tallgrass prairie species and discourage invasion by nonnative species. The dormant broadcast method has consistently produced the greatest perennial forb cover of the three planting methods, but forb cover has not varied with diversity of the seed mix. By 2007 (2005 planting), warm-season grasses planted with the summer drill method seemed to have a slight edge over the dormant broadcast, but, as with forbs, diversity of the seed mix had no influence on cover. The summer broadcast had the lowest cover of warm-season grasses. In contrast, cover of cool-season grasses was greatest in plots planted with the high diversity seed mix, but was unaffected by planting method. To discourage invasion, we would like to favor the guild that has the largest negative effect on non-planted cover. In 2007, cool-season grasses had the greatest negative effects on non-planted cover across all three planting methods; warm-season grasses had a smaller and less consistent effect. These results suggest that in the early years of a new restoration, good cover of cool-season grasses may help prevent invasion by undesirable plants (Diane Larson, USGS, Adapted from an abstract submitted to the 2010 Minnesota-Wisconsin Invasive Species Conference).
-As there are several strategies that are commonly used for inter-seeding prairies a fact sheet has been developed summarizing some of the most common techniques: www.bwsr.state.mn.us/native_vegetation/inter-seeding.pdf.
Wetland Establishment
-Ensuring thorough removal of perennial weeds before planting is essential to allow native seed mixes to establish.
-Growing glyphosate ready corn or soybeans for two years prior to seeding can help minimize weed competition and aid the establishment of native seed mixes.
-Using mesic to wet tolerant plant species for lowland areas and allowing for some natural regeneration (Redwood SWCD).
-Scraping to approximately 10 inches has been effective to bury or remove reed canary grass mats. This method requires 10 inches of expendable soil and works best in areas where sediment has accumulated.
-Fall treatment of reed canary grass with glyphosate followed by late winter prescribed burning and follow-up herbicide application (www.lrrb.org/pdf/200436.pdf).
- A creek valley reforestation experiment is being conducted in Jordan Township, Fillmore County near Chatfield, Minnesota. Multiple methods are being tested to control reed canary grass and establish trees and shrubs (www.fillmoreswcd.org/otherSpecial.html) (Fillmore SWCD).
-Excavating to the depth of native soils when possible and utilizing native seed banks is effective to supplement establishment efforts.
-Planning wetland seed zones based on expected hydrology conditions (based on site contours).
-When reed canary grass is a threat to a planting, focusing on species that can either tolerate grass specific herbicide (non-grass species) or species that can tolerate late fall glyphosate application (most warm season wet prairie species). A recent paper investigated the use of Poast herbicide for the restoration of native sedge meadow vegetation: http://mipn.org/2008%20MIPN%20conference/Thurs%20Session%20A%20AM/AA-Simpson%20MIPN%20RCG.pdf
-Broadcasting all wetland seed on top of the soil, or drill seeding grasses followed by broadcast seeding forbs and sedges. Forbs and sedges generally have tiny seeds and need light to germinate.
-When broadcast seeding, seed shortly after the seedbed is prepared to decrease weed competition and prevent an overly compacted seedbed.
-Using temporary cover crops such as oats to stabilize sites and allow for more time to watch for invasive species. Temporary cover crops can be disked prior to broadcast seeding. The disked material can act as mulch for the planting when seeding during the fall or following spring.
-Fall seeding wetland seed mixes to allow for stratification to occur over winter.
-If hydrology will consistently be present, having forb and sedge seed pre-stratified before spring seeding. Hydrology conditions must be consistent as pre-stratified seed can lose viability if conditions become too dry.
-Planting containerized emergent species or pre-vegetated mats on the edge of open water to allow them to spread into open water. This ensures better establishment where hydrology conditions will vary and seed may float.
-Managing water levels to aid establishment of wetland vegetation.
Remnant Prairie Management
-Renville SWCD is using Buffer Cost-share funds to manage remnant prairies in the county. We are having great success burning non-native dominated grass stands inter-mixed with native forbs as late into May as possible. This results in invigorating the native warm season grasses while promoting the establishment of the forb seed present on the site. We are also mechanically removing invasive trees then applying chemical for spot treating stumps. DNR and Renville SWCD will be testing applications of Fusillade and Select herbicide to suppress non-native grasses for a year in order to allow establishment of native grasses; along with using select herbicide to suppress grasses while inter-seeding forbs (Renville SWCD).
-Our main remnant prairie problems are road authorities mowing them in August, in spite of signs and repeated phone calls reminding them not to mow the native prairie every year. Other issues are broadcast spraying along railroads and/or drift from agricultural spraying. Invasive species are also an issue in some areas (DNR Roadsides for Wildlife Program).
-We found a significant loss of remnant prairies along railroads in southern Minnesota due to encroachment of smooth brome grass. Brome was overwhelming native plant communities in Mesic soils where no maintenance (neither cutting or burning) has been performed for the past 10 years or more. This speaks to a need for long-term maintenance (Tony Randazzo, HDR).
Shoreline Projects
-We often conduct restoration in systems with large populations of carp, geese and muskrat. We found that poultry wire fencing with a bottom foot (pictured right) is effective at keeping these animal species from accessing newly planted stands of emergent vegetation. We tracked emergent plant cover in plots using different fence types and no fencing. Results are available in Ecological Restoration 26: 184-186 (Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District).
-A key to the success of lakeshore projects is often related to the strength of partnerships willing to contribute time and energy to a project (Shawn Tracy, Association of Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts).
-A method that has been effective for stabilizing bare slopes along shorelines involves layering turf reinforcing mat on the exposed soil all the way to the toe of the slope, followed by the application of two inches of soil or compost, followed by seeding with a stabilization mix, and then application of a straw fabric or fabric and geo-jute fabric (CM7000) that can be planted with plugs (pictured below.
-Compost socks can be used at the base to catch erosion and rock can be used to stabilize the toe of the slope. Plugs can then be seeded through the fabric, into the 2-inches of soil or compost (Shawn Tracy, Association of Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts).
-Erosion control products used when seeding must have sufficient open area to allow seedlings through. Erosion controls used along lake edges must be properly secured. Blankets and nets should be keyed into coir logs and fascines. They must be anchored with high quality rope, and four-foot oak stakes or duckbill anchors with cable ties. Wood stakes have greater holding ability than wedges. Drive stakes until they are snug, cut notch, install rope, drive until it is tight, and cut off the remainder of the stake. Notches are stronger than drilled holes, notch only the corner of the stake and not the side. Cut notches at least four-inches down from expected stake top with a battery powered saw (Steve Henry, East Otter Tail SWCD).
-Lakeshore projects need proactive control of reed canary grass. At least 1.5 years of control is generally needed – more time spent on control efforts will increase the success rates of projects. Treatment is generally started in mid to late fall and continues the following spring, and into the next growing season as needed
(Shawn Tracy, Association of Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts ).
-Don't use biologs as wave breaks. I've done this in the past and have seen it done by others, and they don't work. A project on a lake in Wright County used coir logs for wavebreaks which performed well until the early spring when a large wind storm broke many stakes off at the base. These stakes were sturdy, 5-footers that were driven into the sediment at least 3 feet. Another time on a different project in North Oaks, the woven netting got cut, from wave action that moved the log up and down (even though the logs had been very tightly roped to stakes), resulting in the "stuffing" coming out of the logs. he best use of biologs is by stuffing them into the recesses of an undercut bank, which is quite valuable (Joe Walton, Refugia LLC).
-Do use brush bundles as wavebreaks. We used them on a project at Pleasant Lake in North Oaks (Ramsey County) and they worked great. We made them from buckthorn that we cut from the shoreline and surrounding uplands--an actual beneficial use of buckthorn--which made quite nice wavebreaks (beware the thorns--use sturdy gloves!). Make sure you build the wavebreaks big enough to account for the bounce in the lake and the fetch distance so that waves won't overtop the breaks. You can either build one large brush bundle per section, or you can build a few smaller ones and stack them, depending on you situation. We used 1/4" diameter rope (not coconut fiber, which breaks), to tie the bundles, since thicker rope is too hard to handle. Pull the rope as tight as you can, so that the bundles are dense and well-packed. These wavebreaks performed great, functioning as intended, by protecting the newly planted emergent vegetation from waves. They also collect sediment, over time, and help rebuild the toe of the bank naturally (Joe Walton, Refugia LLC).
-Using a few well-placed boulders helped protect a channel bank. We placed just a couple of boulders in the bank of a channel (Ramsey County) that feeds into a lake to protect the toe from the erosive current at the mouth of the channel. We keyed a few boulders into the bank, and extended a few more out into the stream (upstream direction) like a mini bend-way-weir (or sometimes called a "rock vein"). This deflected the current from eroding the bank by re-directing it out into the middle of the channel. We used large, round boulders--not angular, to minimize turbulence. Amazingly, by using rock in this way, we were able to protect the bank as well and probably better than by lining the entire toe of the channel with rocks (which had been done in a previous project--not by us)! Also, calm pools formed behind some of the boulders, allowing us to establish emergent vegetation quite well in these calm areas, and good fingerling fish habitat too (Joe Walton, Refugia LLC).
-We focus on developing detailed plans and conducting construction oversight. We plug everything, I have seen 2 seedings in 3.5 years. We do follow up for our cost share projects each year for 5 years, and 15 for the BWSR money. During the site visit, we make a point to try and schedule it with the owner to answer questions about plants, erosion etc. We went from a very low rate of sites being maintained with our cost share in the beginning of 2006, to 94% maintained in the fall of 2006 (Ramsey SWCD).
-When planting in water, green wire fencing or snow fencing is important to deter geese.
-A summary of alternative armoring techniques has been developed by Todd SWCD: http://toddswcd.org/Stormwater/Protecting%20Our%20Waters.pdf
-On Keller Lake, we are in the process of using an ecological restoration approach to treat shore that has been previously lined with gabion baskets (pictured right). As far as we know, this is the first large-scale attempt at revegetating a lakeshore lined with gabions in the metro area. (please let me know if you know of any…). This fall, we jetted soil into the rock crevasses, and then put a soil cap on top of the rock. The shore was seeded this fall, and will be planted next spring. (Bill Bartodziej, Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District)
-Providing curvilinear edging, and clustered, twenty-four inch height native plantings at the upland edge of shoreline plantings help make them look more orderly and approachable to residents (Mike Isensee, Dakota SWCD).
-Stringing flagging tape between a network of fence posts is effective to keep geese out of new wetland plantings.Using chicken wire exclosures with a bottom foot to prevent tunneling to prevent grazing of emergent species by muskrat. Giant bur-reed seems to be less desirable to muskrat than other species
(Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District).
Pollinator Habitat
-Iowa has put together a good publication on incorporating prairies into working farms: www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PMR1007.pdf (DNR, Roadsides for Wildlife Program)
-Though USDA funding there is a nationwide attempt to increase the availability of pollen and nectar for declining pollinator populations. Financial incentives are being offered through, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Under the current CRP application process, landowners who want to participate are ranked against one another to prioritize enrollments that offer the most conservation benefits. By agreeing to plant at least 10% of the CRP acres in native wildflowers, farmers receive a higher score and are more likely to be selected as program participants. To meet a similar anticipated demand for new pollinator habitat enrollments in 2011, the USDA is consulting with groups like the Xerces Society, PFSP and the University of Minnesota's Dr. Marla Spivak, a honey bee expert and 2010 MacArthur Fellow, to identify the best wildflowers and planting methods for each region of the country. The annual value of bee pollinated crops in the U.S. is estimated at $20 billion, and includes alfalfa, sunflower, canola, apples, almonds, citrus, berries, pumpkins and other economically important commodities.
Seed Collection and Seed Mix Use
-Kids can effectively collect and help sow seed. It is helpful to have them focus on one species when collecting as a group. School groups are particularly good at ensuring that seed is randomly planted. Seed collection and sowing seed are good activities for kids and adults to do together to establish an appreciation for native plants and natural habitats (Dave Crawford).
-Species Steward volunteers play an important role in collecting the greatest possible diversity of native prairie seed at Wild River State Park. Individual stewards are taught 1-12 species that they track of over time and collect when they are ripe. Handouts showing plant characteristics and the appearance of seed are used to provide guidance to the Stewards. Stewards become experts about the characteristics of their species; they record bloom date and time and location of populations. In some cases, stewards use specialized techniques to collect seed such as wrapping mesh around seed pods that burst (phlox, flowering spurge) and provide protection such as wrapping citrus bags around plants (larkspur, Indian hemp) to prevent grazing by deer (Dave Crawford).
-Collecting by Species Stewards begins with the first ripe seeds on cool-season species and ends with volunteers and school groups collecting mass quantities of fall-ripening seed. Seed is scarified and separated from chaff by using antique grain processing mills: a hammer mill and a Clipper model 2B fanning mill with custom screens. Seed is dry cold stratified over winter and hand-sown in May on sites prepared with prescribed burns. Seed of less common species is planted in concentrations to help assure that new breeding populations are established. Trials are under way using plugs grown from harvested seed to establish new populations (Dave Crawford).
The Minnesota Wildflower/Grass Producers Association website (www.mnnwgpa.org/) includes a list of native seed vendors that can help with the development of seed mixes.
-With the District's "Prairie Ecosystems Restoration Project" the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association is inspecting Martin County prairie remnants to verify the genetic origin of native plant material growing there. Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environmental Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The project is funded with $80,000 of Trust Fund Dollars and a $20,000 local match. The focus of this project is to help preserve declining local ecotype native plant species by collecting native plant materials from vulnerable prairie remnants and propagating them and establishing them on land protected by perpetual conservation easements. These sites, once established, can provide a potential supply of source identified local ecotype native plant material for the establishment of plots that could be increased for use on local restoration projects (Martin SWCD).
-Including a good percentage of early successional cool-season plants in the seed mixture seems to help keep weeds down while establishing native prairie plantings (Martin SWCD).
-On sites prone to Canada thistle establishment, having a strong Canada Wild Rye component as well as composite forbs, like Black eyed Susan and Yellow Coneflower seems to put pressure on the thistle populations. Some of these species can be incorporated at slightly higher rates without significantly raising the cost of plantings. After a few years, the later succession plants will become more dominant and suppress the germination of weed species (Martin SWCD).
-Using early, medium and late successional species in seed mixes helps ensure long-term sustainability.
-Determining appropriate levels of cover crops in mixes (not relying on cover crops for greening a site as they may create too much competition for native species in some cases). Most sites where erosion is not a risk requires little or no cover crops, although mulching is typically advisable.
-We usually design our own mixes. In general we try to have much species diversity as possible. At $400/acre ($300 DNR + $100 cost share) we can often get 60-80 species of grasses and wildflowers (DNR Roadsides for Wildlife Program).
-Here is some basic information about our restoration methods using native (wild harvested) seed.
-Annually, we submit samples to a lab in Nebraska, so we do have germ rates/TZ tests for spp detected. I think it's pretty representative of our mixes.
-In a 2010 harvested mix we had 12 grasses and 23 forb spp. were detected (33%grass, 66% forb)
- 8 of 12 grasses are warm-season; 4 are cool-season
-In 2010 we harvested over 20,000 pounds and sample sizes thed to be relatively small so the tests are likely missing some spp.
-In recent veg. surveys of restorations, spp. number has exceeded 50 in some areas-the tests only give a glimpse of the primary spp
-A note on harvest: the mixes are harvested from remnant prairies; at times, we do supplement the mix with seed purchased from local vendors and hand-harvested seed; the more species, the better (esp forbs)
-We prefer to seed over the snow in late winter (March) using Vicon broadcast seeders
-Based on the seed test (PLS/bulk #) and a seeding rate of 2 million PLS/ac or 45 PLS/ft, this translated into a seeding rate of 21 bulk #s/ac for this particular mix. Comparing that to other mixes from the past, last year was a pretty good year as previous years' mixes ranged from 24-34 bulk #s/ac.
-Our preferred method of invasive control is cultural- "let the plant community heal itself". We believe that over time, as the planted seeds germinate, seedlings anchor, and the plants grow, the native species will outcompete the nonnative spp for light, space and nutrients. (Rebecca Esser, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
-A new guide has been developed on developing site specific seed mixes for roadsides. An electronic copy of the guide can be found at: http://www.lrrb.org/PDF/201020.pdf
Containerized and Bare-root Plant Use
-With scarce seed supplies for some of the less common native species, the production of plants can be maximized by starting plants in trays. When starting plants from seed or cutting, the regular 36 to72 cell trays work well, especially when the clear covers are used. The plugs develop alright for fibrous rooted plants although the plugs aren’t deep enough for good survival when planting into dryer soils. But with plants that develop tap roots, their roots will zig-zag and ball up as they try to go down beyond the bottom of the cell (Martin SWCD).
-The University of Northern Iowa, working on the “Iowa Ecotype Project” has been using trays with cone shaped inserts. The 1.5” diameter inserts are 8.25 inches deep and 98 fit in a 1 foot by 2 foot tray. 1” diameter inserts, with a 6.34 inch depth fit a 1 foot by 2 foot tray that holds 200 inserts. This system allows for straighter tap root formation and when transplanted, allows roots to reach deeper, into better moisture conditions than conventional plugs. A dibble bar can be made or purchased that conveniently pokes a cone shaped hole to drop the plugs into. Then all that is needed is to crimp the soil in around the top of the plug (Martin SWCD).
-Tree mats have been useful to suppress weeds when planting bare root conifers, avoid monocultures, select specifications suitable to the site and native plantings hardy to the area (Redwood SWCD).
-It is important to select the right plant for the right location, in particular, selecting plants for the right moisture levels (pictured right). It is beneficial to group species that are found in the same plant community (Shawn Tracy Association of Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts).
-Planting as early in the season as possible to utilize early season moisture.
-Breaking dormancy of woody species (hackberry, oak, ironwood) before planting.
-Using plants that are healthy and fully rooted in containers.
-Breaking up compacted root systems with a garden weeder.
-Keeping bare root plants wet/moist until planting.
-Using craft paper under wood mulch to suppress weeds around containerized plants.
-Applying approximately 10 layers of newspaper before spreading double shredded hardwood mulch to inhibit weeds. Mulch is pulled aside for planting and a planting hole cut into the newspaper (Rusty Schmidt, Washington Conservation District).
-Digging planting holes large enough to accommodate the entire root system of bare-root plants.
-Digging holes 2.5 the width of a container when planting containerized trees and shrubs.
-Ensuring that root flairs are not deeper than 1-inch below the ground surface when planting trees.
-Using water holding gels as part of planting when little watering will occur.
-Using methods to exclude deer and rabbits from damaging newly planted trees and shrubs methods can include solar powered electric fence, bud caps, exclosures, and repellent sprays.
-Adding wood chips to plantings every two to three years minimizes weed competition.
Upland Maintenance
-Regular monitoring to detect weed problems early.
-Conducting mowing of establishing prairie plantings (4-6 inches) at least the first two years as needed to prevent weed seed production and shading of establishing native species. A lack of mowing is one of the most common causes of project failure.
-Spot treatment of perennial weeds before they are allowed to spread.
-Prescribed burning of prairies to maintain species diversity and control non-native cool-season grasses and woody vegetation (pictured).
-Mowing established plantings in late May to suppress brome and other non-native cool-season grasses when burning is not possible.
-Controlling woody vegetation before it becomes well established.
-Prescribed burning is typically needed about every three to five years to prevent the deterioration of prairie. Burning prevents species such as smooth brome and sumac from invading. Fall burns are typically better for setting back woody vegetation, they can also benefit early blooming prairie species such as lupine. Ideally, burning should be conducted at different times of the year over time (Dave Crawford).
-For cottonwood tree removal we’ve done most of our work in Aug/Sept and use two years for treatment (spray, spring burn, spray). On trees under 15’ we apply a foliar application of Element 3 (1%), Platoon (2-4,D amine, 1-1.5%), and the adjuvant Freeway (1-1.5 oz/10 gal.). We were using 1% Platoon the last two years but decided this year to increase the rate. It provided a quicker burn down as expected. We’ll be checking next year to see how the higher rate performed. When spraying, every leaf needs to be covered, otherwise the chemical works like a chemical pruner; whatever doesn’t get sprayed will come back next year.
As for equipment, we have a 60 gal sprayer run at 50 psi and two hand guns. The mix works but there are some stump sprouts. These are cleaned up with the second spraying. With the first spray we slow and don’t take too big a swath. Do a thorough job the first time and the second goes much quicker with better results.
If the trees are over ~15’ (we can still get good coverage) we use Element 4 (25%) and blue bark oil (75%). Last year was the first time we did any hand work and didn’t have the best success. I’d been told to cut the tree 2-3 times and apply the chemical but this didn’t work very well. The cambium dies above and below the cut but it seemed like the chemical didn’t move laterally around the tree. When I checked last year’s work this summer, most hand treated trees were alive and healing over the wounded dead areas. This year we hacked or used a pruning saw to go around the whole tree 3’-4’ up. It looked like this did a good job but we won’t be sure until spring. We treated that high up hoping that if the tree breaks off, it would happen there. If treated lower, you can’t see the stump in the grass. We thought this may be a hazard. The equipment we use for this: pruning saw, hatchet, 3 gal backpack sprayer, cheap chem. resistant spray bottles and rubber gloves. (Eric Gulbransen, Steele SWCD)
Wetland Maintenance
-We are in the process of restoring a remnant sedge meadow (3,500 sq. ft.) along a lakeshore. It is located between two large >500 LF shoreland restoration segments. Pre-project, it was dominated by reed canary grass (>90% cover). Three square bulrush was evenly distributed, but plant height was unusually modest, and may have been the result of substantial competition from reed canary. Since 2004, we have used a combination of weed whipping flowers to prevent seed production, dormant overspray with an aquatic formulation of glyphosate, and spot treatment with glyphosate and sethoxydim (during dry periods). We have seen a dramatic reduction in reed canary grass cover and a substantial increase in three square bulrush abundance. In addition, numerous wetland forb species have become established, most likely from seed blowing in from adjacent restoration sites. We are generally pleased with the results and will continue to manage reed canary grass in this remnant wet meadow (Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District).
-A wetland creation on city property gave direction to the maintenance crew to mow the site periodically for weed control. The site was subsequently mowed every two weeks; now in year 5 the wetland and upland buffer are beautiful with no weeds or invasives. In contrast, a streamside BMP project in the same county was not mowed at all by the landowner and reed canary grass has overewhelmed the site. Bottom line – mowing and maintenance for the first bunch of years is critical and not just twice a year (Jyneen Thatcher, Washington Conservation District)
-Monitoring to detect weed problems early. It is important to spot treat perennial weeds (reed canary grass, purple loosestrife etc.) as soon as detected to prevent their spread.
-Using water control structures when available to maintain target hydrology and to maximize growth of native vegetation and discourage upland weeds.
Restoration Expectations
-Prairie restoration is a process that takes time. Like weed management, one must think long-term. Pictured is a general description of what can be expected during the first 5 growing seasons of the restoration.
Year 1: After seeding during the winter/early spring, the seeded field will continue to appear as though it is untilled soybean stubble through May and into June. By July the field will green over and by late August to mid-September plants flowering will include annuals such as pigweed, kochia, and sow thistle along with many native spp. such as big bluestem, bearded wheatgrass, Indiangrass, Maximillian sunflower and red-stemmed aster.
Year 2: The second year of growth is “visually” the most difficult year. This is the year of the biennials Thus the field will begin the growing season with many golden alexanders, black-eyed susans and daisy fleabanes, but soon progress in June to the bolting stage of plumeless and Canada thistles along with some remaining sow thistle. By the end of July the natives will begin to dominate the stand with grasses and forbs of many types blossoming and going to seed. The growing season ends with a flush of native goldenrods and various asters.
Year 3: The third year of growth will see the native grasses begin to get what we refer to as “large shoulders” where grass stem density is dramatic and a marked decrease is noted in the unwanted spp. such as thistles. Sow and plumeless thistle wane, a few Canadas remain. All native spp. will attempt to blossom and seed out.
Year 4: During the fourth growing season the vitality of the native spp. will be apparent as there will be a wide variety of natives flowering from early spring till freeze-up. Sow and plumeless thistle are/nearly all gone. Some Canadas may remain, but are visually insignificant.
Year 5: By year five the field will be essentially converted to a diverse native plant community with approximately 85% native and 15% non-native spp. -- of which less than 5% will be considered “weed” spp. (Rebecca Esser, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
