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fall vs spring forb transplants

I shall add my experience to the discussion of forb transplantation.  I am
involved in a 26 acre tall grass prairie restoration in south central
Michigan, a project that I started in 1993.  During the past 4 years, I
have transplanted,on average, approximately 1000 forb seedlings each year
involving about 10 different species of native forbs.  I initially
transplanted forbs in early spring (mid-May) just after frost danger.
These seedlings came from greenhouse plantings in my basement.  I no longer
transplant in the spring!  The reason for not engaging in spring
transplantation is the problem of watering.  Much watering, which had to be
hand carried to the site, was essential to yield a reasonable number of
successful "takes".  Such was extremely time consuming.
Currently, I transplant forb seedlings only (with few exceptions) in the
fall (October/November) after a series of substantial frosts.  The
seedlings are generated in an outdoor garden in a series of 2 ft by 16 ft
2" x 6" wooden rectangles.  The seeds are sown in the fall or very early
spring depending on species.  I water the seedlings with a garden hose
regularily during the year prior to transplantation. This assures that the
seedlings are healthy and have superb root structures.  I transplant the
seedlings bareroot somewhat deeper into the soil then typical spring
transplants (to suppress heaving).  The percent successful takes, which
varies somewhat with species, is excellent (substantially better then
spring transplants)!  In addition, and importantly, I never water these
transplants once transplanted into the grassland!!!!  If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact me.
Clifford W. Welsch
(517) 626-6996
welsch@pilot.msu.edu


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