Re: Plants for Erosion Control & Geese
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Plants for Erosion Control & Geese
- From: C* P* L*
- Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001 05:00:37 -0600
- References: <3A7DC123.6AEDBAFA@onramp.net>
> I'm looking for ways to control the erosion of the soil
> along the creek and the gullies.
>
> The electricity went out about 10 p.m. the night we received
> the bulk of the heaviest rain, and I remember poking my head
> out the back door to see how my blue heeler was faring, when
Hi Carol,
You never did say how your dog was doing -- did he or she at
least make it through this ordeal OK?
> I took a flashlight outside and went over to see what was
> happening in the gullies, and there were no gullies to be
> seen. It was just water, deep water, everywhere.
This sounds awful. :( I don't know what else to say except
I'm sorry that it happened, and I hope that it never happens
again.
> tell me, and what I need to know, is what kind of a root
> system do the plants that they're selling/talking about
> have? I think I need plants that have an extensive
> underground root system, and I need some that can take full
> sun, some that can take medium shade, and some that can take
> deep shade - and all in heavy clay soil.
What you're looking for is something that has a fibrous root
system that's fairly deep. The more fibrous the root system,
the more dirt it will hold in place.
> If anyone has any suggestions regarding this erosion
> question, it would be appreciated.
Since you're going to be working on a large scale, I'd actually
recommend going "native" and buying bulk prairie grass seeds to
sow along the banks. These plants are tough enough to withstand
whatever Mother Nature throws their way (they've been surviving
for tens of thousands of years here in the United States), they're
attractive, and the wildlife benefits (particularly for birds) are
great. They also have the added benefit of helping to purify the
water.
I can put you in touch with someone from the Native Prairies
Association of Texas if you're at all interested.
> My second question is about plants that are safe for geese.
> Also last June, this city girl received a box from the post
> office that had six of the loveliest little goslings in it.
> They're not so small anymore, but still just as lovely, and
> friendly too since I raised them from babies.
I wasn't able to find much about this either, unfortunately. It seems
that a plant named "Mexican tea" is toxic to geese, as are members
of the genus Chenopodium [1]. Ammi majus, or Queen Anne's Lace (not
Daucus carota, but very similar) is also apparently toxic based on
article that I stumbled across [2].
Here's another interesting link about protecting trees from
geese:
http://www.independentnewsgroup.com.au/archive/helmi/019.htm
They recommend wrapping tree trunks with poultry mesh to 3'+ above
ground.
I also read that Diazinon is particularly nasty to geese and ducks,
so think twice if you're used to using it in the yard too.
I'm afraid that I haven't been particularly helpful. :) There's
just not much out there. Your best bet may be to contact the local
county extension office or veterinarian. You may also get
some advice out of a veterinary school if there are any near you;
here in Urbana-Champaign the College of Veterinary Medicine puts
out many different publications regarding the toxicity of plants with
regard to animals.
Maybe someone has a more complete answer to offer?
At any rate, good luck, and thanks for un-"lurking!" :)
Chris
http://www.hort.net/gallery/ 1378 online plant photos and growing!
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[1] http://maxshouse.com/ToxicPlantsComplete.htm
[2] Egyed, M. N.; Malkinson, M.; Shlosberg, A. (1974). "Observations on the
experimental poisoning of young geese with Ammi majus." [editorial
comment: One wonders how humane /this/ test was...]
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