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Re: Help please! Info needed re fertilizer, prairie plantings

We have had a similar regulation here in Missouri and it is not that bad of
a regulation, aside from the expense of the fertilizer. Nitrogen is
typically not recommended for native grass establishment.

In reality, with good weed management, fertilizer, including nitrogen, is
very beneficial to establishing native grasses. The key being "good weed
management".

Jef Hodges

----- Original Message -----
From: <Grantridge@aol.com>
To: <prairie@mallorn.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2000 10:21 PM
Subject: Help please! Info needed re fertilizer, prairie plantings


> The Iowa NRCS is proposing to require that Iowa landowners apply
fertilizer
> and lime, according to a current soil test, on many plantings of native
> grasses and/or native grasses and forbs.   The plantings that would
require
> soil tests and fertilizer/lime applications would be those plantings being
> established on land that had not been rowcropped for several years and did
> not have a history of regular fertilizer applications.
>
> Phosphorus and potassium would be required "according to soil test
> recommendations for warm season grass pasture and hay."  Nitrogen would be
> required only in association with phosphorus.
>
> The proposal is now on hold while the NRCS is shown established prairie
> plantings where fertilizer and lime were not used.
>
> Several Iowa prairie people have pointed out that their plantings were
quite
> successful without any fertilizer or lime, including plantings done on
both
> rich and poor soils that had not been rowcropped or fertilized for years.
> But what we need is specific information and evidence to present to the
Iowa
> NRCS office by October 7th.   (Stating that "fertilizer isn't needed on
> prairie plantings," however accurate, won't be sufficient.)
>
> I apologize for having to make this request on short notice, at a time of
> year when most of us are very busy.  But if you can suggest literature
> references, or describe examples of relevant plantings, or provide other
> relevant information, that would be much appreciated.   Please send the
> information in such a way that it can be compiled and presented directly
to
> the Iowa NRCS office with your name attached, without having to be edited
or
> interpreted.   (But of course formal eloquence is not required!)   To the
> extent possible, reference suggestions will be followed up.
>
> Thanks very much!
>
> Cindy Hildebrand
> grantridge@aol.com
> 57439 250th St.
> Ames, IA  50010
> 515-232-3807
>
> "...As far as I could see, the land billowed like a russet ocean, with
> scarcely a roof to fleck its lonely spread.   I cannot say that I liked or
> disliked it.   I merely marvelled at it... "   (Hamlin Garland)
>
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