This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: Seeding forbs into Established Grass

At Shaw Arboretum we have had success sowing a mix of about 20 forb 
species plus some grasses into a long-undisturbed 
old field. The seed was sown in mid-March of 1995, following a 
clean, hot burn -- directly onto the charred ground. Luckily, rain 
and frost followed in the next few days. Since then, the field has 
been burned once, in early February 1998. This summer, at 
least Eryngium yuccifolium, Coreopsis tripteris, Ratibida pinnata, 
Coreopsis tripteris, Liatris pycnostachya and Dalea (Petalostemum) 
purpurea have flowered, and I see Aster novae-angliae, A. laevis, 
Physostegia virginiana and Silphium integrifolium,  laciniatum, and 
perfoliatum "waiting in the wings". Big bluestem, Indian grass and 
eastern gama grass are also making an appearance.

In sum; burn hot just before green-up, sow immediately after, do rain 
dance and frost dance to get seed worked in, burn early two or three 
years later, and maybe it will work for you, too!

Good luck

James C. Trager
Shaw Arboretum
P.O. Box 38
Gray Summit MO 63039
PH# 314-451-3512
FAX 314-451-5583
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PRAIRIE
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index