Erosion control & wildflower mixes
We are a non-profit Association tasked to restore a lake area that recently underwent mastication. We are located at 1,200 feet in Shingle Springs, CA (Cameron Park area). We wish to plant erosion control mixes as well as wildflower mixes (some areas). The approximate area to be seeded is 3 acre of erosion mix and 1 acre of wild flower mix. Water is only that of annual precipitation. Some areas to be seeded are picnic areas with foot traffic.
Can you please advise an appropriate product(s) and the best time of year for introducing selected product(s) given the above information.
Tags: erosion control, wildflower mixes
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
Hi, Sorry for the delay in responding, we were having a technical difficulty. So, to seed a non-irrigated area is a bit tricky as far as timing goes. The best time to sow the seeds is Fall just before natural rains. The tricky part is that they should not be sown too soon so the seeds germinate after an early rain then perish during a dry spell after (best case scenario would be to provide irrigation during that time). Conversely, you don’t want to sow too late so that the soil is too cold for the seeds to germinate. The basic idea for non-irrigated erosion control areas is to get the root systems growing while the soil is warm, so the plants can stabilize the soil. The other danger is that if the roots aren’t established in time for hard rains, the seed could wash away. It is wise to use straw and jute netting on the most steep areas.
Check out this page in our catalog for erosion mix choices. You can read the varieties in each mix as well as see the pricing: https://securesite.groworganic.com/maincat/n2009/0045.html
For a wildflower mix, you might consider the California native mix:
http://www.groworganic.com/item_SWF2130_California_Native_Wildflower_Mix.html
Now, you might also consider consulting with the Resource Conservation Service for your area about using native grasses to restore that type of natural area. Here’s the link:
http://www.eldoradorcd.org/nodes/techassist/erosion.htm
Hope that helps!
Amber