Forestry Mulching Spin off

[DoubleRidge]

Seems to me nwsg and the natural seedbank are gonna have the same growing season. So a crapshoot to what gets shaded out.

No doubt there will be challenges getting a diverse nwsg stand started. What got my interest perked on the topic is when I heard a guy fron the Southeastern Grasslands Institute speak and all of the efforts that are going into restoring native grasslands and savanna type habitat. So with a gasline going through our farm we were asked what we wanted to plant back (currently timber area) and we provided a diverse list of nwsg and wildflower blend...no doubt there will be challenges getting a solid stand. Could require spot spraying invasives that we dont want...but also no doubt theres many benifits for wildlife with nwsg and pollinator blends....especially when comparing to the more common fescue or rye grass type pasture plantings.

 

[BSK]

No doubt there will be challenges getting a diverse nwsg stand started. What got my interest perked on the topic is when I heard a guy fron the Southeastern Grasslands Institute speak and all of the efforts that are going into restoring native grasslands and savanna type habitat. So with a gasline going through our farm we were asked what we wanted to plant back (currently timber area) and we provided a diverse list of nwsg and wildflower blend...no doubt there will be challenges getting a solid stand. Could require spot spraying invasives that we dont want...but also no doubt theres many benifits for wildlife with nwsg and pollinator blends....especially when comparing to the more common fescue or rye grass type pasture plantings.

Some of the best Deep South habitat I've ever seen for turkey, quail, and even deer is the intensely managed oak-savannahs of southern Georgia.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Some of the best Deep South habitat I've ever seen for turkey, quail, and even deer is the intensely managed oak-savannahs of southern Georgia.

I've set aside 180ac for pine savanna with hardwood SMZs…it's a many yearslong effort but looking forward to seeing how it turns out and how the critters respond.

 

[Mattt]

That's what I'm working towards on my 100 ac cut. About 70 a select with basal area being the main concern. Year 3 and it's looking great. Also have an experiment going on a couple small patches using a bush hog and disking to see where we end up. Did the first burn last year which was a little early but trying to stunt some sycamore and blackberry. Didn't work on the sycamore

 

[DoubleRidge]

Also have an experiment going on a couple small patches using a bush hog and disking to see where we end up.

We've done the same type experiment and have found the more often we bush hog the more grasses we get like broom sedge...with disking we got more broad leaf type forbs...benefits to both and will include both practices in the future in patches or strips....great low cost way to add diversity....Prescribed Fire on the other hand we hadnt done yet but hope to in the future.

 

[BSK]

We've done the same type experiment and have found the more often we bush hog the more grasses we get like broom sedge...with disking we got more broad leaf type forbs...benefits to both and will include both practices in the future in patches or strips....great low cost way to add diversity....Prescribed Fire on the other hand we hadnt done yet but hope to in the future.

Yup. Quite a few studies on that. Mowing/bushhogging promotes grasses while ground disturbance (disking) promotes broadleaves.

 

[jejeffrries71]

Yup. Quite a few studies on that. Mowing/bushhogging promotes grasses while ground disturbance (disking) promotes broadleaves.

Makes sense. When establishing NWSG some years ago, first year it was so small I could hardly find any. I thought it was a fail. Mowed over it mid/later summer to knock back the other weeds and allow light to reach the ground. It was very visible and well established in the second year.