![](media/image1.wmf){width="0.8in" height="0.8in"}VERMONT **- Natural
Resources Conservation Service January 2003**

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| **For:      **                  | **Farm #:      **                  |
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| **Field(s):      **             | **Tract #:      **                 |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| **Designed By:      **          | **Approved By:      **             |
|                                 |                                    |
|                                 | **Signature:**                     |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| **Date:      **                 | **Date:      **                    |
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**Definition**

![](media/image2.png){width="4.301388888888889in"
height="3.0625in"}Establishing and maintaining perennial vegetative
cover to protect soil and water resources on land retired from
agricultural production.

**Purpose** (Check all Planned Purposes)

Reduce soil erosion and sedimentation.

Enhance wildlife habitat.

Improve water quality

**Where Used**

This practice applies on land to be retired from agricultural production
requiring permanent protective cover, and on other lands needing
permanent protective cover. This practice does not apply to plantings
for forage production or to critical area plantings.

**Sketch or Map of Area Planned for Conservation Cover**

**Establishment**

Planning the establishment requires a determination of the field's
capabilities and limitations, how the seeding will be made, when the
seeding will be made, what species will be seeded, and the purpose of
the cover. Consider the field's past history when planning the
seeding/cover (prior crops, herbicide treatments, etc.). A temporary
cover may be needed if herbicide carryover is a concern. Follow the
enclosed site-specific requirements on the enclosed "Specifications
Sheet".

Accurate seeding rates are critical to a good seeding establishment. The
following procedure can be used to calibrate your drill:

**Drill Calibration - Bulk Weight of Seed Method.**

a)  Jack up the drive wheel end of the drill and measure the
    circumference (C) of the drive wheel in feet. Make a mark on the
    side of the tire as a reference point.

b)  Measure or record the spacing in "inches" between the drill
    row/openers.

c)  Use the following chart to determine the number of "Revolutions (R)"
    to turn the drive wheel based on the row/opener spacing and the
    number of openers to collect seed.

Row Spacing No. Of Openers Drive Wheel Revolutions (R)

[(Inches)]{.underline} [To Collect]{.underline}

6 4 96/C = R

7 4 82/C = R

8 3 96/C = R

10 3 77/C = R

12 2 96/C = R

d\) Put enough seed in the seed box to cover the number of openers
required (2, 3, or 4) and turn the drive wheel until the seed is feeding
uniformly. Put a tarp or container under each opener to catch the seed.

e\) Collect the seed from the appropriate number of openers by placing a
container under each spout and turn the drive wheel the number of
revolutions "R" already determined.

f\) Combine the collected seed and weigh it in grams. Multiply the
weight in grams by 0.5 to determine the pounds per acre being delivered
at that drill setting.

g\) Adjust the drill setting and repeat the measurements until the
desired seeding rate is obtained. Insure the bulk rate delivers the
desired pounds of "Pure Live Seed" (PLS). To determine the desired bulk
rate use the following procedure:

> \(1\) Determine the Bulk Rate Conversion Factor (CF): (CF) = 100/PLS%
>
> \(2\) Multiply CF X PLS Pounds/Acre = Bulk Pounds/Acre

Example: The drill has a 7 inch row spacing and a drive wheel (C) = 6.8
feet. The desired seeding rate is 15.1 pounds per acre. From the table
we determine 4 spouts are required and the number of "R" = 82/6.8 = 12.
The seed collected from 4 spouts with 12 revolutions was 30 grams. 30
grams X 0.5 = 15 pounds of seed per acre.

**[For Warm Season Grass Establishment:]{.underline}**

**Overview:** Seeding warm season grasses (Switchgrass, Bluestems,
Indiangrass, Eastern Gamagrass, Sideoats Grama, & Forbs) is not as
simple as the traditional seeding of our cool season grasses and legumes
(timothy, orchardgrass, alfalfa, fescue, etc.). Seeding warm season
grasses requires some different management practices and PATIENCE to
successfully get established.

Some warm season grass seed (Bluestems, Indiangrass) have seed
appendages (awns) that restricts the movement of seed through
conventional drills. Alternatives to deal with this problem include: (1)
use a specially designed native grass drill; (2) have the seed
"debearded" (awns removed); or (3) broadcast the seed/fertilizer mix
with an "air flow" fertilizer spreader.

**Management the Seeding Year.** The goal the seeding year is to reduce
the shade pressure that weeds can exert on the warm season grass
seedlings. Using a sickle bar mower or a rotary type mower clip the
vegetation no shorter than 6 inches.

**Stand Evaluation**.

**The Initial Evaluation** should be made 6-8 weeks after planting.
Check and record seedling density (plants per square foot) and
distribution in several areas of the field. This is also a time to check
weed pressures.

**The Second Evaluation** should be made in late summer of the seeding
year to evaluate stand adequacy based on density of established plants.
An average of at least 2-4 strong seedlings per square foot should be
the minimum acceptable stand.

**The Final Evaluation** should be made during the early summer of the
second year. If an average of 2 healthy plants are found per square
foot, a successful stand and cover should be accomplished.

***Specifications***

See the attached specifications sheet prepared for your field(s). The
specifications are prepared in accordance with Vermont Field Office
Technical Guide practice standard 327.

Establish a Temporary Cover using      @ Lbs/Ac Seeded (Specify Dates)
     

Permanent Seeding:

  ----------------- ----------------- -- --------------- ------------------
  Seeding Mixture   Field(s)             Seeding Mixture Field(s)     
  #1                Acres                #2              Acres     

  Species (Include                       Species         
  Nurse Crop if                          (Include Nurse  
  Needed)                                Crop if Needed) 

  #1                      Lbs/Ac PLS     #1                    Lbs/Ac PLS

  #2                      Lbs/Ac PLS     #2                    Lbs/Ac PLS

  #3                      Lbs/Ac PLS     #3                    Lbs/Ac PLS

  #4                      Lbs/Ac PLS     #4                    Lbs/Ac PLS

  Lime                    Tons/Ac        Lime                  Tons/Ac

  Nitrogen                Lbs/Ac         Nitrogen              Lbs/Ac

  P~2~O~5~                Lbs/AC         P~2~O~5~              Lbs/AC

  K~2~O                   Lbs/Ac         K~2~O                 Lbs/Ac

  Seeding Dates                          Seeding Dates        

                                                         

  Seeding Mixture   Field(s)             Seeding Mixture Field(s)     
  #3                Acres                #4              Acres     

  Species (Include                       Species         
  Nurse Crop if                          (Include Nurse  
  Needed)                                Crop if Needed) 

  #1                      Lbs/Ac PLS     #1                    Lbs/Ac PLS

  #2                      Lbs/Ac PLS     #2                    Lbs/Ac PLS

  #3                      Lbs/Ac PLS     #3                    Lbs/Ac PLS

  #4                      Lbs/Ac PLS     #4                    Lbs/Ac PLS

  Lime                    Tons/Ac        Lime                  Tons/Ac

  Nitrogen                Lbs/Ac         Nitrogen              Lbs/Ac

  P~2~O~5~                Lbs/AC         P~2~O~5~              Lbs/AC

  K~2~O                   Lbs/Ac         K~2~O                 Lbs/Ac

  Seeding Dates                          Seeding Dates        
  ----------------- ----------------- -- --------------- ------------------

# *Site Preparation and Planting*

**No Till Method is Planned:**

**Preparing No Till Seedbeds. (Assumes a smooth soil surface)**

a)  **Previous Crop was a Row Crop**. Use a nonselective burndown
    herbicide to control existing vegetation. Plant using a drill
    designed for no till seeding.

b)  **Previous Crop Existing Sod.** Use recommendations from UVM
    extension service (<http://pss.uvm.edu/vtcrops/index.html>) to burn
    down grasses and broadleafs in September or early October. Follow
    all label directions when applying herbicides.

c)  **Calibrate drill and seed ¼ inch deep (warm season grasses) and ¼
    to ½ inch deep for cool season grasses and legumes with a drill
    designed for no till seeding.**

**The Following Conventional Seeding Method is Planned:**

**Preparing Conventionally Tilled Seedbeds.** A firm seedbed is
important when seeding grasses and legumes. Initial tillage (plow,
chisel, disc) should begin at least a month prior to seeding. About 2
weeks should be planned between initial tillage and final seedbed
preparation to allow the weeds to germinate and be killed by the final
seedbed preparation. A nonselective herbicide (Roundup or 2, 4-D) can be
used prior to seeding to control weeds, especially the perennial weeds.
The final seedbed should be cultipacked until firm enough to leave
footprints only 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.

**Drill Seeding: Calibrate drill and seed ¼ inch deep (warm season
grasses) and ¼ to ½ inch deep for cool season grasses and legumes.**

**(Or)**

**Broadcast Seeding Procedure.** Employ the use of an "air-flow
distribution" fertilizer applicator. This has been the only broadcast
method found to deliver a uniform seeding distribution. Mix the grass
and/or legume seed with a fertilizer of a P2O5 and K2O to be applied at
a rate of 200 lbs/acre. Apply the seed and fertilizer the same day that
it is mixed. Drag/harrow and cultipack once or twice after broadcast
seeding to achieve seed coverage and seed-to-soil contact.

**Conservation Cover Operation and Maintenance:**

**[Operation and Maintenance Seeding Year:]{.underline}**

**Spring Seedings:**

\(1\) Mow, clip, or spray (using labeled materials) anytime during the
growing season to control weeds, insects, and other undesirable species.

> \(2\) Do not mow shorter than 4 inches for cool season grasses and
> legumes and no shorter than 6-8 for warm season grasses.
>
> \(3\) Do not mow more than once per month

**[Summer Seeding:]{.underline}**

Do not mow seedings made in August/September until the following year.

**[Operation and Maintenance after Seeding Year.]{.underline}**

[Mow or clip as needed to maintain the desired cover.]{.underline} If
this cover will revert back to cropland or pasture/hayland within 2
years it is best to mow once or twice per year to maintain a more even
growth. Mow or clip no shorter than 4 inches for cool season grasses and
legumes and no shorter than 6-8 inches for warm season grasses. Do not
mow cool season grasses and legumes after September 1^st^ and warm
season grasses after August 15th to allow sufficient time to build root
reserves and wildlife cover prior to frost.

Fertilize as required by soil test to maintain the planned cover.

Repair areas that are eroding and/or have poor cover through reseeding.

**Other Notes**:

     

**Operation**:

1.  Brush management operations will comply with all local, state, and
    federal laws and ordinances.

2.  Evaluating regrowth or reoccurrence of target species after
    sufficient time has passed to monitor the situation and gather
    reliable data to determine success and/or need for additional
    treatment.

3.  Other:      

**Maintenance**:

1.  Following initial application, some regrowth, resprouting, or
    reoccurrence of brush should be expected. Spot treatment of
    individual plants or areas needing retreatment should be done as
    needed.

2.  Other:      

Reference: Vegetating with native grasses in Northeastern North America.
USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program and Ducks Unlimited.