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response to John - prairie restoration

John:
    I have now had 8 years of experience in restoring/reconstructing native
prairie from past crop fields in south central Michigan.  After much
experimentation on our own land (80 acres) in south-central Michigan and
assisting many others in prairie restoration/reconstruction, I am very much
aware of the problem that you presented (the impressive quanty of un-wanted
species in your site).  I am now more then ever convinced that the first
step in this process of site preparation is: 1) mowing of site; 2) the use
of Round-up on site (preferably in early spring) and 3) soil preparation
(disking) for spring planting of native C4 (warm season) grasses (and only
C4 grasses).  In our area I plant a maximum of 5 species of native C4
grasses, i.e., Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, Switch Grass, Little Bluestem
and Side-Oats Grama.  If the soil is heavy clay, I do not plant Little
Bluestem or Side-Oats Grama.  These grasses form what I refer to as my
initial "bio-matrix".  I mow frequently the first year.  During the second
year, I use Roundup once again in early spring, just BEFORE the emergence
of the C4 grasses.  If certain un-wanted species appear again that
summer/fall, I treat the fields again, but this time with a herbicide that
will not harm the grasses, using chlorinated hydrocarbon types of
herbicides, e.g., 2,4-D, Mec Amine-D, etc (always treat before flowering).
On certain fields, I may treat with the 2,4-D type of herbicide in the 3rd
and 4th years, depending on the amount and type of un-wanted species that
presents itself.  Once the un-wanted species fail to present themselves, I
then plant forbs in the fall.  Fall planting of forbs is preceeded by
burning the fields at such time the C4 grasses become dormant (November in
our area).  At present it is not clear to me whether or not a light disking
after burning is an appropriate choice; such will surely enhance forb
germination the following spring but may also expose un-wanted seed
species.  During the first growing year after fall forb planting, I mow
frequently these fields; I do not mow the second year.  In our area and
depending on soil type, those un-wanted species that have been of the
greatest problem are the Sweet Clovers (Yellow and White), Thistles (i.e.,
Bull and Canada) and Spotted Knapweed.  The tenacity of these seeds to
remain dormant in the soil is disconcerting to say the least!!!!  The above
represent my best efforts, to date, in the control of un-wanted grassland
flora species in the process of restoring/reconstructing native prairie; I
hope that this may be of some value to you.  I wish you success!
Cliff
(Clifford W. Welsch)



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