Attachment J-7 Hoosier_seedmix.pdf

Attachment J-7

Hoosier National Forest Recommended Seed Mixture

March 15, 2007

Kirk W. Larson Forest Botanist & Nonnative Invasive Plant Coordinator

Zachary Rigg Forest Soil Scientist

For use at all locations and seasons:

Apply throughout the season when soil moisture conditions are adequate for germination.

Winter wheat is a nonnative annual agricultural (nurse) crop species, but it is non-persistent and a fast-growing, short-lived plant that provides quick soil stabilization to keep invasive weeds from invading without competing with native grasses/wildflowers. Mix the winter wheat seed with the selected native seed species according to the rates displayed below:

Species Per Acre

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) 40 lbs./acre Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) 4 lbs./acre Virginia wild rye (Elymus virginicus) 4 lbs./acre Partridge pea (Cassia fasciculata) – preferred – both districts 1 lbs./acre or Illinois bundle flower (Desmanthus illinoensis) – use only Tell City RD

This seed mix is for use in general applications across the Hoosier where ground disturbances have created conditions with the potential for soil erosion and the possible spread of nearby nonnative invasive plants. Typically, areas requiring seeding may include roadsides, log landings, and firelines on steeper slopes. Where necessary use a light covering of weed-free straw, if available, to help hold in moisture and increase germination. Do not use field hay for mulch as it invariably contains innumerable weed seeds, and if weed-free straw is not available or it is visually questionable, then it is much better to not use any at all.