“Why Bother, Nothing Grows Here Anyway...”

Above is a quote I have heard countless times over the last 6 months…

Let's fix that... or, at least make the effort to help those involved become successful. As the Oil & Gas industry is becoming productive again with greater public awareness than ever before, we are seeing a great opportunity arise. These exist in the well sites and pipelines constructed, providing the opportunity to improve the landscape and ecology beyond what it was before the construction.

To say such things is the easy part. To apply such things is what separates us…

The impact the North American prairies and grasslands have on our environment is understood now more than ever. These prairies and grasslands provide forage for livestock, habitat for wildlife, and keep soils from eroding away from high winds and aggressive rains. Grasslands and prairies intake large amounts of carbon from our air capturing and storing this carbon in the soil; therefore, providing part of the nutrient content to plant life. Once these areas become densely vegetative, greater water infiltration of the soil can occur. This allows for the moisture needed by the vegetation to be retained in the soil.

How we finish these projects will be seen for many years to come. A few simple principles can make a dramatic impact on the result. The ability to restore the land, as well as enhance or develop wildlife and pollinator habitat, are all possible within the reclamation process. The quality of the finished product could also have a positive impact on the public perception of the project.

Topsoil - Keeping the topsoil from mixing with the subsoil is paramount. There are a few different methods of ditching/trenching, but the importance of keeping the topsoil separated is key. Most of the organic matter is contained in the first several inches of topsoil. Keeping the topsoil and subsoil separate allows for a quicker establishment by not diluting the organic matter. This also prevents destroying the microbes that are contained in the topsoil, amongst many other factors.

Soil Compaction – This process can be challenging. As heavy equipment moves along the right of way during construction, the compaction can become so severe that it can restrict water infiltration through the soil contributing to poor vegetative performance. In most instances, light tillage prior to planting will help resolve this issue. Be sure to keep the topsoil and subsoil from mixing by tilling deeper than necessary. Following the tillage, roll or cultipack to create a firm, yet not compacted seedbed.

Seeding Rate – This is the most misunderstood factor of the reclamation process. Most conservation based seeding rates are based on a three to four year timeline for a full vegetative establishment. This can be counter-productive in high erosion areas with concerns such as aggressive winds, fast-moving stormwater, etc. Your planting method will also heavily influence this decision. The vegetation establishment timeline can be reduced by using the appropriate seeding rate for the specific site needs. We find most projects successful with an 8-20 PLS (pure live seed) pounds per acre seeding rate when using a grass drill. However, this may vary greatly based on the project needs.

Planting Method - Not all planting methods are equal; furthermore, using the right tool for the job is critical. Most native seeds are much more chaffy/hairy and lighter than most imagine. Without the correct mechanical method of planting, your reclamation results will vary drastically. For example, the use of a grass drill allows for the correct planting depth, greater regulation of the seeding rate, and proper seed to soil contact all in a single process. When broadcast seeding, there is less seed to soil contact. The chances of wind or water erosion issues before the seed has a chance to establish is far greater. Broadcasting usually results in a higher input cost due to the higher required seeding rates to accomplish the same results. Generally, there is a 50-100% increase in rate compared to drill seeding. For further info on this topic look at our “Professional’s Guide To Seeding And Establishing Native Species.” If Hydroseeding or the use of a drop seeder is used, the broadcasting rate is generally preferred. The use of a grain drill presents its own unique challenges. Grain drills are designed with traditional crops in mind such as Wheat, Oats, etc. This creates difficulty with planting depth and seeding rate regulation. There is a great deal of variation in grain drills, so your mileage may vary

Species Selection - There are many things achieved by selecting the correct species for your project including better erosion control with dense and deep-rooted native grasses, pollinator habitat, pasture forage, or even wildlife enhancement. Still, the exclusion of some species could be just as beneficial. For example, planting Bermuda (or other aggressive introduced species) within a native grass landscape can be a poor investment in your project. Some introduced species can overtake and out-compete native species, and many introduced species tend to be less beneficial to wildlife. However, this concept does not apply to all introduced species. The use of quick establishing and early successional native species such as Sand Dropseed and Green Sprangletop can aid in erosion control, and can act as a nurse crop for the other species being planted

There is a quote that I live by “Trying and failing is better than not trying at all.” The next time you hear, “Why bother… Nothing grows here anyway”, take a look at all the factors involved. You may have a better chance than you thought.

https://www.bamertseed.com