[SOS-PCA] Increase Facilites

[STEECK Diane M]

Hi Jessa,
What size are your beds?  < 0.1 acre, 0.1-1 acre, or 1-acre and larger fields?
For smaller raised beds, plan with predator (ground squirrels, voles, gophers) preventive options in mind:  raised beds with hardware cloth barrier installed underneath and potential for hoop houses over.  In western OR we find predators increase in density after the first few years – particularly going after our geophytes.

We contract for our growers to grow many annuals or short-lived perennials on ground-cloth in 0.05  - 0.2 acre beds.  Groundcloth reduces the weed control needs, catches seeds (they are swept or shop-vac’ed up), but can provide hiding areas for voles and ground squirrels.   For light-seeded species, wind barriers (silt fence) are needed so the seed can’t blow off the cloth.

This article is focused on the western OR, but may have some tips – the grower is very skilled:
http://www.heritageseedlings.com/shop/wpimages/native-plant-journal-article-2008-.pdf

Good luck with it.
Diane

Diane Steeck, Wetland Ecologist
Parks and Open Space
City of Eugene
Tele:  541/682-4927
FAX:  541/682-4882
diane.m.steeck at ci.eugene.or.us

From: SOS [mailto:sos-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Davis, Jessa
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 12:27 PM
To: SOS at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: [SOS-PCA] Increase Facilites

Greetings All!
I'm in the early stages of planning a seed grow out facility outside of Santa Fe and could use any tips or tricks that anyone may have to offer. Assume I know nothing and that any/all information is valuable.
Thanks!
-jd

--
Jessa Davis
Botanist
CBG Conservation Land Management Program
BLM Taos, NM
575.751.4712

"I close my eyes in order to see." Paul Gauguin



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