[APWG] Ecosystem restoration Straw effectiveness and weeds Re: Substitute local native ecotypes, for the exotics in the seed mixes?

[Patricia Ruta]

Hi Wayne, Sorry, I missed seeing your response earlier in my emails and 
just "found" it today.

I am interested in what you are saying about straw mulching. We do not 
mulch if we seed in November just before snow onset. But we do lightly 
mulch if we do a late spring or early summer seeding. Mulching is still 
listed as a recommended procedure with the growers who provide our seed. 
So I am curious about your reference to the narrow window for which 
mulching does make a difference. What window is it effective in? and what 
results have you read about how mulch does not help seeding success?  I 
would think it would help keep moisture on the soil surface, help prevent 
wind movement of seed, and help reduce bird predation of seed. Though, as 
you note, it is a long-time customary practice and I don't know that I 
have read anything about it in the literature for native seeding projects. 
 The weed issue with straw is definitely a problem, and we have been 
looking at using harvested native meadow hay as a possible mulch in the 
future. One native plant producer produces a hay from at least some of his 
native plant crops.

My earlier comment was on the issues we have had with some DOT projects 
coming in as heavy invasive sweet clover. They routinely use straw or hay 
as a mulch. They have a set of protocols that they follow, though we have 
been working with them to make some local changes to the protocol. I think 
that this mulch issue is one we are going to have to work on as it is 
totally negating the native seed we are requiring them to use for projects 
occuring on the Forest. They also use a widely woven mat with squares 
about 2 or 3 inches for the steeply sloped areas. These areas (in first 
full growing season since road construction) do not appear to be 
successful for revegetation, though perhaps it is simply too soon. We have 
had some very good results with DOT projects that were not steeply sloped. 


You requested more info on Michigan "ecotype" and I am not sure about that 
reference. I think the word "ecotype" was in the title of the earlier 
email that I hit "reply" to.  I mentioned Michigan native genotype seed is 
required for planting whenever possible for any of our restoration 
projects. And that measure is to try to maintain the local gene pool of 
our native plants, as much as is possible. We don't use any non-natives in 
our mixes on the Forest, other than a possible oat or winter wheat 
non-persistent nurse crop. 



 " Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some 
blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can."   
                   Ralph Waldo Emerson

Patricia Ruta McGhan, Botanist
Manistee National Forest
(231) 745-4631ext. 3102
email: pruta at fs.fed.us




"Wayne Tyson" <landrest at cox.net> 
08/27/2009 09:45 PM

To
"Patricia Ruta" <pruta at fs.fed.us>
cc
<apwg at lists.plantconservation.org>
Subject
Ecosystem restoration  Straw effectiveness and weeds  Re: [APWG] 
Substitute local native ecotypes, for the exotics in the seed mixes?






Patricia Ruta McGhan and APWG
 
I'm not sure why you're using straw. I know it has been popular (the 
custom) for years, but is only effective in a fairly narrow range of 
cases, and even in those it has its down-sides, in addition to being 
weedy.  Without specifics it is difficult to comment intelligently. How do 
you define (specify) "Michigan native ecotype?"
 
WT
 
Do you get "pop-outs" or other surficial slope failures in treated areas? 
Are soils compacted? Is it used on structural fills? How effective is it? 
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Patricia Ruta 
To: Craig Dremann - Redwood City Seed Company 
Cc: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org ; 
apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org 
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 2:25 PM
Subject: Re: [APWG] Substitute local native ecotypes, for the exotics in 
the seed mixes?


Our big problem is the straw mulch. We require Michigan native genotype, 
but we are getting some disasterous results with weeds from the mulch. 
There are currently no certified weed-free providers in the state. 
Hopefully, we can work on that issue next. 

" Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some 
blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can."   
                   Ralph Waldo Emerson

Patricia Ruta McGhan, Botanist
Manistee National Forest
(231) 745-4631ext. 3102
email: pruta at fs.fed.us
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