Native Grass and Pollinator Dormant Seeding
Chad Thelen, Stoney Creek Outdoor Properties calculating seeding rate in pure live seed to account for frost seeding. Dormant seeding is also a good time to interseed grasses and wildflowers into an existing stand to enhance it or provide more diversity.
If you were planning on planting native grasses or pollinators this spring and were unable to do so this topic is a must read. Dormant seeding is a great option for landowners enrolled in USDA programs or the do it yourselfer with a small butterfly garden in the back yard.
Fall is the time of year for dormant seeding native grasses and wildflowers. The Midwest was hit with a curveball this spring with one torrential rain storm after another. This left many large fields and back yard projects inaccessible by equipment and pushed back planting schedules beyond recommended seeding dates. If this was the case for your property than think about dormant seeding. Dormant seeding is the practice of planting when ground temperature is cool enough that germination of seeds will no occur until the following spring/summer.
Dormant seeding offers many benefits if done correctly. Native grasses and wildflower seeds need to undergo cold stratification. This is the process needed to breakdown the hard seed covering and tells the seed to start growing when the soil warms up. This activity can be artificially mimicked with refrigeration and climate-controlled environments, but the most-effective way to achieve cold stratification is by the natural process of freezing and thawing that winter provides.
Herbicide use can be more effective on woody plants and perennial weeds during late summer/early fall as they are taking nutrients like carbohydrates down into the roots to overwinter. This function brings the herbicide directly to the roots of the plant and will kill it completely. A better die-off of weeds and woody vegetation in the fall leads to less competition in the following spring/summer when your desirable seeding will start to grow. This is also a good time to use mechanical disturbance to destroy the vegetation and allow microorganisms to break it down over the winter.
When considering dormant seeding you need to meet several factors for a successful planting. The soil must be below 50 deg F to insure the seed does not germinate until the following spring/summer. Weed suppression is a must prior for dormant seeding. Lastly, the ground needs to be firm and as smooth as possible.
There are three main planting methods used for dormant seeding. First, for the most accurate planting use a native grass no-till drill. These drills are readily available at local Conservation District offices. They are precision machines and can plant recommended seeding rates precisely and with little effort. Second, if a drill is not available you can disk the field and pack it smooth with a roller. Once it has been packed smooth then broadcast the seed and pack again to get good seed to soil contact. Third, frost seeding can be effective but used as a last resort for areas that equipment cannot access. With a firm weed-free seedbed, broadcast on top of a dusting of snow. This helps the seed stick and allows you to see your coverage area. More seed, approximately 20% will be required as the seed to soil contact will be achieved with the freeze/thaw cycle during winter. The expansion and contraction of soil with temperature fluctuation heaves the topsoil and creates small fissures for the seeds to settle into.
For more information about dormant seeding of native grass and wildflower plantings, call your local conservation district office or contact Logan Banning, Biologist for Gratiot, Saginaw, and Clinton Counties. 989-875-3900 or [email protected]
Fall is the time of year for dormant seeding native grasses and wildflowers. The Midwest was hit with a curveball this spring with one torrential rain storm after another. This left many large fields and back yard projects inaccessible by equipment and pushed back planting schedules beyond recommended seeding dates. If this was the case for your property than think about dormant seeding. Dormant seeding is the practice of planting when ground temperature is cool enough that germination of seeds will no occur until the following spring/summer.
Dormant seeding offers many benefits if done correctly. Native grasses and wildflower seeds need to undergo cold stratification. This is the process needed to breakdown the hard seed covering and tells the seed to start growing when the soil warms up. This activity can be artificially mimicked with refrigeration and climate-controlled environments, but the most-effective way to achieve cold stratification is by the natural process of freezing and thawing that winter provides.
Herbicide use can be more effective on woody plants and perennial weeds during late summer/early fall as they are taking nutrients like carbohydrates down into the roots to overwinter. This function brings the herbicide directly to the roots of the plant and will kill it completely. A better die-off of weeds and woody vegetation in the fall leads to less competition in the following spring/summer when your desirable seeding will start to grow. This is also a good time to use mechanical disturbance to destroy the vegetation and allow microorganisms to break it down over the winter.
When considering dormant seeding you need to meet several factors for a successful planting. The soil must be below 50 deg F to insure the seed does not germinate until the following spring/summer. Weed suppression is a must prior for dormant seeding. Lastly, the ground needs to be firm and as smooth as possible.
There are three main planting methods used for dormant seeding. First, for the most accurate planting use a native grass no-till drill. These drills are readily available at local Conservation District offices. They are precision machines and can plant recommended seeding rates precisely and with little effort. Second, if a drill is not available you can disk the field and pack it smooth with a roller. Once it has been packed smooth then broadcast the seed and pack again to get good seed to soil contact. Third, frost seeding can be effective but used as a last resort for areas that equipment cannot access. With a firm weed-free seedbed, broadcast on top of a dusting of snow. This helps the seed stick and allows you to see your coverage area. More seed, approximately 20% will be required as the seed to soil contact will be achieved with the freeze/thaw cycle during winter. The expansion and contraction of soil with temperature fluctuation heaves the topsoil and creates small fissures for the seeds to settle into.
For more information about dormant seeding of native grass and wildflower plantings, call your local conservation district office or contact Logan Banning, Biologist for Gratiot, Saginaw, and Clinton Counties. 989-875-3900 or [email protected]
Restore and Enhance Pheasant Habitat with MPRI
The Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative (MPRI) is a conservation initiative to restore and enhance Michigan pheasant habitat, populations and hunting opportunities on private and public lands. It will accomplish this through public-private cooperatives of 10,000 acres or more that will improve habitat for pheasants and other wildlife on a landscape level. The MPRI works by acquiring state and federal resources to assist landowners within the cooperatives in improving wildlife habitat on their property and by improving habitat on selected state game areas, recreation areas, or other public lands.
Goals of the MPRI
1. Impact 200,000 acres by restoring or enhancing 25,000 acres of grassland habitat
2. Increase access to quality pheasant hunting on both public and private lands
3. Increase pheasant hunter recruitment and retention by 25% by 2020
4. Develop habitat management guidelines and training
5. Develop partnerships to restore wild pheasant populations in suitable habitats in Michigan 6. Monitor populations and conduct research to ensure the best management of the pheasant resource
7. Provide sustainable funding and resources necessary to implement the initiative
Survey Types used to Monitor Pheasants:
Mail Carrier Surveys
Crowing Counts
Breeding Bird Survey
Pheasant Hunter Surveys
Pheasant Cooperator Surveys
HAP Hunter Surveys
The Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative (MPRI) is a conservation initiative to restore and enhance Michigan pheasant habitat, populations and hunting opportunities on private and public lands. It will accomplish this through public-private cooperatives of 10,000 acres or more that will improve habitat for pheasants and other wildlife on a landscape level. The MPRI works by acquiring state and federal resources to assist landowners within the cooperatives in improving wildlife habitat on their property and by improving habitat on selected state game areas, recreation areas, or other public lands.
Goals of the MPRI
1. Impact 200,000 acres by restoring or enhancing 25,000 acres of grassland habitat
2. Increase access to quality pheasant hunting on both public and private lands
3. Increase pheasant hunter recruitment and retention by 25% by 2020
4. Develop habitat management guidelines and training
5. Develop partnerships to restore wild pheasant populations in suitable habitats in Michigan 6. Monitor populations and conduct research to ensure the best management of the pheasant resource
7. Provide sustainable funding and resources necessary to implement the initiative
Survey Types used to Monitor Pheasants:
Mail Carrier Surveys
Crowing Counts
Breeding Bird Survey
Pheasant Hunter Surveys
Pheasant Cooperator Surveys
HAP Hunter Surveys