2002-07-08 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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, . e. $prea.ding the seed c~n be done by hand or in larger areas a cyclone seeder can be used. Scatter the seed slowly and be sure not to run out before you have completely covered the site. Adding some moistened sawdust as a filler can make your Job easier because it will clearly show you the area that you have already covered with the seed. · All hand seeding should be followed by a light raking. Mulching If you are using plants, you should apply a thin layer of mulch around your garden. This will help reduce weed competition and holds moisture in the soil. It will also help to make your Rain Garden look more attractive. Shredded hardwood works very well and can be used for both woody and herbaceous p/antings. When applying mulch to herbaceous plants you should keep about a % inch separation distance from the plants and apply no more than 1 inch on the surface. Trees and shrubs should be mulched with at least 3 inches over the surface. You can also label your plants. This will allow you to monitor their success and prevent you from 'accidently weeding them out later. SITE MAINTENANCE First Season For the first year herbaceous plants may need to be watered about an 1 inch per week if dry conditions exist over the summer. It is important that the plants receive a soaking because shallow watering can actually cause the root system remain near the surface and dry out. If an extended dry period occurs during the first year of the planting, put a sprinkler out for an hour or two once a week. Trees and shrubs will also benefit from a slow soaking once a week during the first growing season. Weeding the first year is also important in order to give your plants a competitive edge. Pulling weeds while they are still small is a lot easier than eradicating them when they have become established. Try to scout for weeds in your garden about twice a month. In addition, your plantings should never be fertilized. If you find that a plant is struggling because of the lack of fertility, you have probably selected the wrong plant for the site. . Look around your garden and determine what species are doing better in similar settings. You can try replanting or seeding those species that are propagating. Pesticides are also not needed. The few insect problems that do occur on native plants should be considered part of the natural process. For seeded areas, mowing is the primary management tool used to prevent weeds from shading out the seedlings. During this first season, your garden may need to be mowed a couple of times. The mower blade should be set between 4-5 inches. A home lawn mower set at its highest cutting position should work well for your Rain Garden areas. You will need to mow each time the weeds reach over 6 inches in height. Try not to allow the weeds to set seed before mowing. Do not worry about crushing the seedlings, they will be hearty enough to restore themselves. If you have a larger area that needs weeding, use a flail type mower. Leave the cuttings on the ground because they will later serve as mulch for the plants. Also, try to time your last fall mowing so that the weeds grow to about 8 inches in height. The extra height on the weeds will help protect the young seedlings from frost and cold winters. Second Season During the second growing season, your maintenance tasks will ease. In the spring, you can cut back the dried herbaceous plants from the previous years growth. YOI,J can clip the plants back to about 2 to 3 inches from the ground. This will allow the plants to continue' to grow while bringing about a neat appearance to your landscape. Only water during long periods of drough~. Thoroughly weed your gardens in the spring. Pull any unwanted tree seedlings and undesirable plants during this period. Scout for weeds about every month after your initial spring weeding. By now you should be able to tell the difference between the plants you have installed and the invaders that need pulling. In the fall, all standing vegetation should be left in place. It provides food and cover for many different animals and mammals in the winter and brings some color to a rather bleak landscape. If weeds are thick in your seeded areas, one mowing in the late spring or early summer will help with their 17