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Cool Season Grass Mixes / Warm Season Grass Mixes |
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Reclamation can sometimes be difficult in
droughty environments such as excavation sites. It's for this reason that a
considerable amount of research has been conducted in New Hampshire relative to
different seed mixes and methods of planting that would yield the best chance
for successful reclamation efforts. Mr. Ted Kelsey, now retired from the USDA
Soils Conservation Service, was in the forefront of experimenting with a wide
variety of seed mixes within test plots scattered around the State.
The primary resource that illustrates the
knowledge gained by decades of reclamation research is
Vegetating New Hampshire Sand & Gravel Pits.
Generally, cool season grass mixes are used to
reclaim depleted areas that have at least 4"-6" of topsoil available for the
seedbed. Mix 2 & 3 in the
Vegetating New Hampshire Sand & Gravel Pits booklet are examples of
this type of seed mix. Warm season grasses, on the other hand, can be planted on
depleted area having little or no topsoil. The process of seeding is different,
as illustrated in the second photo album.
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Nature's Reclamation (Succession) Recently Hydroseeded (Swanzey) Freshly Seeded Cool Season Grass Mix Same Site As Previous Pic Erosion Issue - Shallow Rooted Grasses Reclaimed w/Cool Season Grass Mix (Shelburne) Same Site as Previous Pic
Older depleted sand & gravel sites have been reclaimed by Nature. Preparing the site for seeding includes grading the area at a slope which is no greater than 2:1. This site was hydoseeded with a cool season grass mix and fiber mulch. The green fiber mulch will help hold the seed in place until it germinates. Cool season grasses generally have a shallow root system. Although this site had ample topsoil available for the seedbed, the cool season grasses were not totally effective in stabilizing the bank. This northern NH site was an ideal candidate for reclaiming with a cool season grass mix. Shallow slopes and available material for the seedbed, make for outstanding conditions for this type of mix. This illustrates the typical results from seeding with a cool season grass mix.
Nature's Reclamation (Succession)
Older depleted sand & gravel sites have been reclaimed by Nature.
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| Warm season grass mixes offer superior soil stabilizing
qualities under certain conditions. They plants develop a root structure which
runs deeply into the ground. During early growth, these plants will develop
their unique root systems in lieu of developing robust greens above grade. As
the plants mature, the roots will be as long as the plant is high. If the plant
stands 4' tall, the roots will reach approximately 4' below the surface. This
trait alone serves to provide for superior soil stabilization abilities. This,
together with their ability to tolerate droughty conditions, makes for a viable
choice when considering seed mixes for reclaiming depleted excavation sites.
The plants will take longer to green-up in the Spring, but the
yearly rate of growth can be impressive. Mix #1 in the
Vegetating New Hampshire Sand & Gravel Pits booklet is one which
should be considered when the following conditions are present: little or no topsoil
exists for use as a seedbed and/or superior soil stabilization qualities are
needed.
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Shooting Warm Season Grass Seed With Tactifier Hydroseeding Warm Season Seed Mix Tracking in Warm Season Grass Mix Young Warn Season Grasses Growing in Dozer Track Warm season Grasses (Gilford) Reclaimed w/Warm Season Grass Mix (Gilford) Reclaimed Using Warm Season Grass Mix (Sanbornton) Ted Kelsey in Reclaimed Excavation Site (Sanbornton) Early in the Growing Season; Cool Season Grasses Are Green, While the Warm Season Plants Wait for Warmer Temperatures
This type of equipment is used to seed both type of seed mixes on larger excavation sites. This site had very little organic matter available for the seedbed. Notice the gentle nature of the slope. One of the added expenses associated with seeding with warm season grasses involves the cost of tracking-in all of the seed with a dozer. This type of seed mix needs to be incorporated into the soil. This is a great example of how the plants grow in the track of the dozer. A warm season grass that thrives in a reclaimed excavation site near Laconia. There was material available to make a seedbed prior to seeding. Ted Kelsey is in the backgound. A successful warm season grass mix reclamation effort. Although having some topsoil available for a seedbed isn't necessary, it can make for a more vibrant stand in the early years. This site had very little organic matter available during the reclamation process. The growth of the plants is still impressive. The warm season grasses typically green up in June.
This type of equipment is used to seed both type of seed mixes on larger excavation sites.
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