Comments on: Erosion control & wildflower mixes http://intheloop.groworganic.com/2009/06/erosion-control-wildflower-mixes/ Timely organic farm and garden info from GrowOrganic.com Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:09:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: amber http://intheloop.groworganic.com/2009/06/erosion-control-wildflower-mixes/comment-page-1/#comment-1420 amber Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:31:17 +0000 http://intheloop.groworganic.com/?p=852#comment-1420 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 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

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