A guide to A guide to Conservation Plantings A guide to Conservation Plantings on Critical Areas for the Northeast on Critical Areas for the Northeast A guide to Conservation Plantings on Critical Areas for the Northeast This guide covers some factors to consider when planning and implementing critical area seedings and conservation plantings. It discusses the differences between critical area stabilization, conservation plantings and restoration with an emphasis on critical area stabilization. The use of native species, diversity and the concern for the spread of invasive species is emphasized. It points out the importance of soils and building and maintaining soil quality as and integral part of all conservation plantings. It addresses the need for other measures to control erosion where needed to withstand high velocities of water and to divert water to facilitate successful seedings. It stresses mulching as an integral part of most critical area seedings and plantings. The guide is divided into sections based on the steps in conducting conservation plantings starting with planning, selecting plant material, purchasing plant materials to installing the seeding or planting, and not by plant type. nrcs.usda.gov A GUIDE TO Conservation Plantings on Critical Areas for the Northeast Paul R. Salon* USDA-NRCS, Plant Materials Specialist, Syracuse, New York and Chris F. Miller USDA-NRCS, Plant Materials Center Manager/Specialist, Cape May Court House, New Jersey *Corresponding Author: Paul R. Salon, Big Flats Plant Materials Center, 3266A Route 352, Corning New York, 14830. Email: [email protected] (607) 562-8404. Acknowledgements The authors wish to express great appreciation to the people who helped review and edit this guide: Ramona Garner, National Technology Support Center-East, Regional Plant Materials Specialist, NRCS; Fred Gaffney, retired Plant Materials Center Manager, Plant Materials Specialist, and Agronomist, NRCS; John Hovanesian, Natural Resources Specialist, NRCS; Flo Swartz, Agricultural Economist, NRCS; Stephen Page, Soil Scientist, NRCS; and Ann Fisher, Cornell University Intern. The authors give special thanks to Shawnna Clark, Biological Specialist, NRCS, for her collaboration on the wildflower table and conservation seed calculator, and a special acknowledgement to Ivy Allen, Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS, for assistance with photography layout and guidance through the printing process of this publication. The authors want to acknowledge John Dickerson for providing input and conceiving of this edition. This publication builds on a previous document, A Guide to: Conservation Plantings on Critical Areas for New York, USDA-NRCS, F.B. Gaffney and J.D. Dickerson. 1991. Suggested citation: Salon P.R. and C. F. Miller. 2012. A Guide to: Conservation Plantings on Critical Areas for the Northeast USDA, NRCS, Big Flats Plant Materials Center, Corning, NY. http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/nypmc/ Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. 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The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ii Table of Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. vii Chapter 1: Planning Considerations and Site Assessment ...........................................................................1 Critical Area, Conservation, or Restoration Planting ............................................................................................1 Plants and Risk .............................................................................................................................................2 Native Plants ................................................................................................................................................2 Existing Vegetation ........................................................................................................................................3 Weeds and Invasive Plants ..............................................................................................................................3 Climate, Weather, and Slope Aspect .................................................................................................................4 Soil Erosion ..................................................................................................................................................5 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ....................................................................................................................5 Excess Water Management and Erosion Control .................................................................................................6 Geology .......................................................................................................................................................6 Soils ............................................................................................................................................................6 Soil Quality ..................................................................................................................................................8 Timing of Planting.........................................................................................................................................9 Present and Proposed Use ..............................................................................................................................9 Chapter 2: Plant Materials ......................................................................................................................... 10 Grass Information ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Important Grasses for Critical Area Plantings ................................................................................................... 12 Introduced Cool Season Grasses .................................................................................................................... 12 Group A. Very fast germination and growth.............................................................................................. 12 Group B. Intermediate germination and growth ........................................................................................ 13 Group C. Relatively slow germination and growth ..................................................................................... 14 Native Cool Season Grasses .......................................................................................................................... 14 Sedges ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 Native Warm Season Grasses ......................................................................................................................... 17 Group A. Smooth-seeded species that can be planted with common drills .................................................... 17 Group B. Chaffy-seeded species that require de-bearding or specialized drills ................................................ 18 Group C. Vegetatively established species ................................................................................................. 19 Legumes And Wildflowers (Forbs) ............................................................................................................... 20 Legumes .................................................................................................................................................... 20 Inoculating Legumes ...................................................................................................................................