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Re: Seeding forbs into Established Grass

James C. Trager wrote:
> 
> 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
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another alternative is to seed the forbs with a no-till drill after
burning.  Drills that are equipped with a small seed attachment is a
must.  Many Soil and Water Conservation Districts have these types of
drills for rent.  They have an office in almost every U.S. county and
can be found in the phone book.  They are normally located at USDA
Service Centers even though they are actually local units of state
government.  Many of the state wildlife agencies have this type of
equipment also.  Additionaly these drills are usually equipped to handle
chaffy, awned seed material common with native grasses.
The small seed attachment is used for planting legumes in established
pastures.  This allows the seeds to make seed-soil contact without
tilling the soil.  This is especially important for establishing forbs
because they do not compete very well with weeds.  Weed problems are
usually more severe in tilled ground.  Success with broadcasting seed on
the soil surface after a burn depends on frost action to "work" the seed
into the surface of the soil in order to achieve adequate seed-soil
contact needed for germination.  The seed must also make contact with
bare soil this is why a real hot burn is needed in order to remove the
thatch.  Frost seeding methods have been used for decades by farmers
when sowing small seeded legumes and the highest success is achieved
when the small seeds land on bare ground and are subjected to numerous
freeze-thaw
cycles.  The adavantage of using the drill is better seed placement and
therefore germination is usually much greater.  The burn is essential 
regardless of seeding method.


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