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Re: grass/forb ratios

In my limited experience, I have noticed that the seeding specs of most
"prairie plantings" seem to be heavily influenced by those used by the
NRCS for "native cover" CRP plantings, state highway departments for
rights-of-way revegetation, state conservation departments for "native
grass habitats", and ag experiment stations for pasture "renovation."
These nearly always are specified as planting rates in pounds (PLS basis)
of seed per acre and are far too heavy on the grass species, most often
improved cultivars of one or more of "big five" prairie grasses.  Perhaps
these requirements are driven by the perception that thickly-stocked
stands must be quickly established in order to moderate erosion and
suppress "weed" establishment.

Richard (Sandy) Rhodes II
Indiangrass Hills, Iowa County IA &
Iowa City IA

"James C. Trager" wrote:

> Hello prairie planters.
>
> I have always wondered what exactly others mean by a grass/forb
> ratio in a seed mix?
>
> Is the ratio by weight? By volume? By seed count? By some other
> parameter?
>
> I note that many of the plantings I have looked end up producing
> prairie plantings which I would deam somewhat to very excessively
> grassy compared to remnant prairie vegetation.
>
> James C. Trager, Ph. D.
> Shaw Nature Reserve
> Gray Summit MO 63039
> 636-451-3512, FAX 636-451-5583
>
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