FOTG Section IV 342 – Page 1 of 5
Critical Area Planting (342)
Conservation Practice Jobsheet
NRCS, PI
March 2007
FOTG Section IV 342 – Page 1 of 5
Definition
Establishing permanent vegetation on sites that have or are expected to have high erosion rates, and on sites that have physical, chemical or biological conditions that prevent the establishment of vegetation with normal practices.
Purpose
· Stabilize areas with existing or expected high rates of soil erosion by water.
· Stabilize areas with existing or expected high rates of soil erosion by wind.
· Restore degraded sites that cannot be stabilized through normal methods.
Conditions Where Practice Applies
On areas with existing or expected high rates of erosion or degraded sites that usually cannot be stabilized by ordinary conservation treatment and/or management, and if left untreated, could be severely damaged by erosion or sedimentation or could cause significant off-site damage.
Conservation Management System
Critical Area Planting is normally established concurrently with other practices as part of a conservation management system for a conservation management unit.
Plans and Specifications
The following section of this Jobsheet provides site-specific practice installation, operation and maintenance information for the client. The site specifications shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements in the Conservation Practice Standard and the guidance in the Conservation Practice Specification.
NRCS, PI
March 2007
Critical Area Planting 342 –Page 5 of 5
FOTG Section IV Jobsheet
NRCS, PI
March 2007
Critical Area Planting 342 –Page 5 of 5
FOTG Section IV Jobsheet
Blank Page
NRCS, PI
March 2007
Critical Area Planting 342 –Page 5 of 5
FOTG Section IV Jobsheet
NRCS, PI
March 2007
Critical Area Planting 342 –Page 5 of 5
FOTG Section IV Jobsheet
Critical Area Planting – Jobsheet
Prepared for: / Client and/or Business Name:Owner or Operator:
Treatment Unit Name: / Treatment Unit Size (acres):
Prepared by: / Name: / Date:
Purpose of Applying Practice
Primary Purpose:Other Purposes:
Plant Materials (Also see Job Sketch)
Species, rates of seeding or planting, minimum quality of planting stock, such as PLS or stem caliper, and method of establishment shall be specified before application. Only viable, high quality seed or planting stock will be used. See table below for site specifications:Species to be Planted / Acres to be Planted / Rate of Seeding or Planting
(per acre) / Minimum Quality of Planting Stock (i.e., PLS or stem caliper) / Method of Establishment (Seeding, Stolons, Sprigs, Rhizomes, or Seedlings)
Site Preparation and Seeding and Planting (Also see Job Sketch)
Site preparation and seeding or planting shall be done at a time and in a manner that best ensures survival and growth of the selected species. What constitutes successful establishment, e.g. minimum percent ground/canopy cover, percent survival, stand density, etc. shall be specified before application. See below for site specifications:A. If seeding is to be used as the method of establishment:
1. Seedbed Preparation:
· Seedbed preparation shall consist of plowing or ripping, followed by disking where soil conditions permit. Prepare a firm seedbed. Use no-till seeding methods and equipment, where practicable. If planting large areas of sloping land and no-till is not possible, establish new plantings in increments or in strips alternating with undisturbed areas to minimize erosion. Soil disturbance should be kept to a minimum.· Additional site specific requirements, if any:
2. Seeding method(s) to be used: (“X” which)
Broadcasting
Drilling
Hydromulching
3. Depth of seeding and other planting requirements:
· Where seed is broadcast, dragging the area with a chain or light plank will help to ensure good soil-seed contact.
· Depth of seeding depends on seed size, soil moisture and soil texture. A general recommendation is to plant 1/4-1/2 inch deep on medium - to fine textured soils and 1/2 -1 inch deep on course - textured soils. Plant seeds deeper when soil moisture is low and shallow when moisture is abundant. Large seeds are generally planted deeper than small seeds. Depth of seeding for site:
· Hydroseeded plantings must not be allowed to dry out. Germination and seedling emergence may be low if the mulch/seed mixture is not kept moist. Provide irrigation, as needed, until the plants are well established.
· Additional site specific requirements, if any:
Site Preparation and Seeding and Planting (Continued)
B. If a vegetative method is to be used for establishment: (stolons, sprigs, rhizomes, or seedlings)
1. Land preparation and planting requirements:
· Where terrain permits the use of heavy equipment, land preparation will be the same as for seedbed preparation described above. Vegetative material should be evenly distributed on the prepared ground and disked in.
· For a more positive placement of the vegetative material, seedbed preparation may be followed by plowing furrows at a maximum depth of 6 inches and a maximum spacing of 3 feet apart. Vegetative material is then placed in the furrows at a maximum spacing of 3 feet between sprigs. Cover the material with soil by disking, or other suitable means, in the direction of the furrow; then compact lightly to ensure good plant-soil contact.
· Dense plantings will produce a quicker stand of grass with less weeds. Unless planting material is limited, make the furrows about 3 feet apart or less and place the stolons, sprigs or rhizomes as close as practicable in the furrows.
· A mechanical sprig planter may be used, soil conditions and terrain permitting.
· Where terrain restricts the use of heavy equipment, the minimum site preparation shall consist of providing 6-inch deep holes at the maximum spacing of 3 feet by 3 feet. Fertilize according to soil test recommendations. Place the recommended amount of fertilizer in each hole and cover with approximately 1 inch of soil. Sprigs should be inserted at least 5 inches in the hole. The sprigs should have a minimum of two nodes. The hole should then be filled with soil and compacted to ensure good plant-soil contact. Leave at least a 1-inch depression in the hole to trap rainwater and other moisture.
· Adequate moisture is critical for successful planting. Plant only after the rainy season has begun or provide irrigation until the plants are well established.
· Where topography permits, seedbed or site preparation, seeding and vegetative planting shall be cross sloped or on the contour to minimize erosion hazard.
· Woody Plant Seedlings. Dibble tube or potted stock is preferred to bare-root stock. Plant seedlings slightly deeper than they grew in the nursery with roots naturally positioned in an adequately sized planting hole. If the survival rate at the end of a year is less than 80 percent, the dead plants will be replaced as soon as possible.
· Additional site specific requirements, if any:
Facilitating Practices
· Fertilization, mulching, or other facilitating practices for plant growth shall be timed and applied to accelerate establishment of selected species.· Facilitating practices to be installed:
Additional Requirements to Restore Degraded Sites
· If gullies or deep rills are present, they will be treated, if feasible, to allow equipment operation and ensure proper site and seedbed preparation.· Soil amendments will be added as necessary to ameliorate or eliminate physical or chemical conditions that inhibit plant establishment and growth. Required amendments, such as compost or manure to add organic matter and improve soil structure and water holding capacity; agricultural limestone to increase the pH of acid soils; or elemental sulfur to lower the pH of calcareous soils shall be included in the site specification with amounts, timing, and method of application.
· Additional site specific requirement, if any:
Operation and Maintenance
· Use of the area shall be managed as long as necessary to stabilize the site and achieve the intended purpose.· Control or exclude pests that will interfere with the timely establishment of vegetation.
· Inspections, reseeding or replanting, fertilization, and pest control may be needed to ensure that this practice functions as intended throughout its expected life.
· Additional site specific requirements, if any:
Critical Area Planting – Job Sketch
If needed, an aerial view or a side view of the practice can be shown below. Other relevant information, complementary practices and measures, and additional specifications may be included.
Scale 1"= / ft. (NA indicates sketch not to scale: grid size=1/2" by 1/2")The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-2791.
To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
NRCS, PI
March 2007