11-07-13 Restoration Update

11-07-13 Restoration Update

November 7, 2013

Dan Mummey's Restoration Update describes fall seeding, crested wheatgrass restoration, and leafy spurge control efforts.

Download (2.71 MB)

11-05-13 Restoration Update

Last week we sprayed crested wheatgrass restoration areas to control emerging seedlings and deplete the weed seedbank. Poa bulbosa is a salient problem in crested wheatgrass areas. This species senesces early in the spring before crested wheatgrass is most vulnerable to glyphosate. We expect treatment during fall green up will be effective.

Indian Ridge Leafy Spurge Control Our data indicate that spraying imazapic in the fall for two consecutive years is effective for leafy spurge control. Last week we sprayed areas of Indian Ridge to control leafy spurge and cheatgrass. We expect follow-up treatments to reduce leafy spurge cover by over 90%.

The goal of seeding these areas was to fill niches between established natives. The seed mix includes ruderal rapid colonizers, interspace species, and deep-rooted, longlived species.

Seeding Orchard House Sainfoin Soils in this area are high in nutrients and salts. The goal of seeding is to remove soil nutrients, decrease weeds, and produce forage. Winter wheat was drill-seeded. Winter wheat emerged within a week after seeding. This shallow-rooted species is a better competitor with kochia and winter annuals than sainfoin.