United States Department of Agriculture

![](media/image1.png){width="2.9451388888888888in"
height="0.45069444444444445in"}

**Indiana - February 2008** (ver. 1.0)

**Native Grass Plantings Program Job Sheet**

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.4166666666666665in"
height="2.28125in"}**purpose**

Native grass plantings are used to reduce soil erosion, improve water
quality, and create or enhance wildlife habitat.

Native grass communities are often associated with prairies, barrens,
and savannas. Common native grasses that grow well in Indiana include
warm-season grasses (WSG) such as Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, and
Indiangrass, as well as native cool season grasses such as Canada Wild
Rye and Virginia Wild Rye. Native grass communities also included common
wildflowers (forbs) such as Black-Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, Prairie
Blazing Star, and others.

Native grass plantings of warm-season species provide excellent nesting
and winter cover for wildlife. These tall, stiff, upright grasses stand
up well to snow and ice. Native grasses grow mostly in the heat of the
summer, unlike the cool-season grasses (found in most lawns) which grow
best in the spring and fall.

Native grasses persist long after establishment. However, like most
long-lived plant species, they generally establish slowly. Therefore, it
is very important to establish these grasses properly and to have
patience when evaluating the results.

**Where Practice Applies**

On fields that meet eligibility requirements for the Conservation
Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) as determined by the Farm Service
Agency (FSA).

CREP Policy

The grass planting will consist of at least three (3) native grass
species, plus at least two (2) forbs or legumes.

CREP Native Grass Plantings are only eligible on **cropland** that is
adjacent and parallel to streams, sinkholes and karst areas, wetlands,
and permanent bodies of water such as lakes/ponds.

**The minimum width of CREP Native Grass Plantings will be a [minimum of
50 feet, and a maximum of 120 feet]{.underline}, from the edge of the
eligible body of water.** NOTE: An average maximum width of 300 feet is
allowed when area to be enrolled involves a predominance of alluvial
soils. If the site already contains existing vegetation, these acres
will be included in the calculation of maximum width and included in the
CREP Plan, but will not be eligible for payments.

Seeding Rates and Species

Seeding rates for native grasses and legumes/forbs are found in the
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645) Standard of the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) [**electronic Field Office
Technical Guide
(eFOTG)**](http://efotg.nrcs.usda.gov/efotg_locator.aspx?map=IN). Any
pre-packaged mixes [must]{.underline} be approved before seeding.
Site-specific requirements are listed on the attached Specifications
Sheet.

**PLANTING**

Plant the vegetation according to the attached plan/design sheet. Any
changes to these specifications should be approved by NRCS. All
construction and seeding must be completed within 12 months of contract
approval to remain in compliance. If circumstances beyond the
landowner's control prohibit completion within the first 12 months, the
local FSA County Committee may approve an extension to the next
construction and planting season.

**Site Preparation:** It is very important to plant the vegetation into
a weed-free seedbed. Weed control efforts should begin prior to
planting, and may require multiple applications in both the fall and
spring prior to planting. Use herbicides or tillage to eliminate
competing vegetation. If necessary for erosion control, seed a temporary
cover. Eliminate the temporary vegetation at planting time with tillage
or herbicides.

Contact your local Purdue University Extension Agent for specific
herbicides to use. **Apply all herbicides according to the label**.

**Lime and Fertilizer:** Lime and fertilizer should not be applied to
native grasses at establishment unless a current soil test shows
phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are in the deficient range or the pH is
6.1 or less. Do [not]{.underline} apply any nitrogen (N) during
establishment to minimize weed competition.

**Seeding Dates:**

  ---------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------
  **Species/Mix**        **IN Seeding Dates**  **Dormant Seeding Dates\***

  Warm Season Grasses    4/1-6/15              12/1-4/1

  Legumes                3/1-5/15 or 8/1-9/15  12/1-3/1

  Forbs                  4/1-6/15              12/1-4/1
  ---------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------

**\***Increase seeding rates by 25% dormant seeding. Broadcasting of
warm season grasses should only be done into a prepared seedbed with
protection from erosion as a consideration.

**Seed preparation:** Inoculate legume seed before seeding with the
proper Rhizobia bacteria specific for the species. Re-inoculate seed if
it was pre-inoculated more than 60 days prior to seeding. Be careful not
to blend seed of varying size, shape and weight as this can make
calibration of equipment and seeding uniformity difficult.

**No-Till seeding:** Use a no-till drill to reduce the risk of erosion
and possible loss of seedlings. Ensure the drill is designed to handle
the seed being planted (especially important for native grasses). Your
local Soil and Water Conservation Districts may be able to assist in
locating equipment. Set the drill to provide an ideal planting depth of
no more than ¼ inch unless otherwise directed. Seeding native grasses
deeper than ¼ inch will lead to potential failure. Soils that are too
wet or too dry can also cause improper seed placement.

**Conventional Seeding:** Use a drill with seven (7) inches or less row
spacing or a culti-packer seeder, designed for the seed to be planted.
The seedbed should be worked to a minimum depth of three (3) inches and
firmed before seeding. Grass seed should be drilled uniformly and seeded
no more than 1/2 inch deep.

**Broadcast Seeding:** Seed may be broadcast if completed in a uniform
manner. Pre-mixing the seed with 200 lbs. per acre of pelletized lime
and utilizing an airflow applicator is also effective. Seedbeds should
be worked to a minimum depth of three (3) inches and firmed before
seeding. The seedbed should be culti-packed [before]{.underline} and
[after]{.underline} seeding. It is acceptable to see up to ⅓ of the seed
on the soil surface. Wind speed should be 15 m.p.h. or less when
broadcasting.

**Weed Control** **During Establishment Period**: Mow, burn, or apply
herbicides as needed to control unwanted vegetation until a
***[Final]{.underline}*** Status Review is issued, [or]{.underline} for
a maximum of 3 years after planting. Mow when competing weeds are taller
than the planted vegetation, and at a height above planted vegetation.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Noxious weeds and other undesirable plants, insects, and pests shall be
controlled, including such maintenance as necessary to avoid detrimental
effects to the surrounding land.

***After*** the Final Status Review or three (3) years (whichever comes
first), maintain the planting according to your CREP conservation plan.
Maintenance activities are allowed only on a spot basis and only if
necessary to maintain stand health, maintain stand diversity, or control
pests that will damage the CREP cover or adjacent lands. Burning must be
in accordance with a prescribed burn plan. **MOWING and other
maintenance activities are not authorized between April 1 to August 1**
to protect ground-nesting wildlife (i.e. - the Primary Nesting and
Brood-Rearing season). If maintenance activities are needed during these
times, the FSA County Committee [must]{.underline} approve the
maintenance activity [prior to]{.underline} the activity occurring.
Native grasses will not be mowed lower than 12 inches. **Mowing for
generic weed control or for cosmetic purposes is prohibited.** Livestock
must be excluded from the CREP Native Grass Plantings.

MID-CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

All CREP contracts must have mid-term contract management activities
scheduled that will ensure plant diversity, wildlife habitat, and
protection of soil and water resources. Management activities that will
ensure these benefits include: prescribed burning (according to an
approved burn plan), strip disking, strip spraying, and inter-seeding of
forbs and legumes. All management activities must be performed according
to NRCS Standards and Specifications as found in the eFOTG, and CREP
policy. Mid-management job sheets can be found at the [NRCS CRP web
site](http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html).

**Managed Haying and Grazing**

These plantings may be used for [managed]{.underline} haying or grazing.
These activities must be performed according to NRCS Standards and
Specifications as found in the FOTG and CREP policy. The same acreage
may not be hayed or grazed more than once every 3 years. Annual CREP
rental payments will be reduced based on the value of the forage
removed. All managed haying and grazing activities must be conducted
outside of the **primary nesting season** **(April 1 to August 1)** and
must be approved by FSA and included in the conservation plan prior to
harvesting the forage.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # CREP Native Grasses Planting (CP-2)                                 |
|                                                                       |
| # SPECIFICATIONS SHEET                                                |
+=======================================================================+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+---------+---------+-------------+-----+---+-----------+----------+
| **Lan   |         |             |     |   | **County: |          |
| downer: |         |             |     |   |      **   |          |
|      ** |         |             |     |   |           |          |
+---------+---------+-------------+-----+---+-----------+----------+
| **F***  | Tract:  | Field(s):   | *   | G |           | Date:    |
| *arm:** |         |             | *Ac | r |           |          |
|         |         |             | res | a |           |          |
|         |         |             | :** | s |           |          |
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|         |         |             |     | 2 |           |          |
|         |         |             |     | : |           |          |
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|         |         |             |     | F |           |          |
|         |         |             |     | i |           |          |
|         |         |             |     | r |           |          |
|         |         |             |     | e |           |          |
|         |         |             |     | b |           |          |
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|         |         |             |     | e |           |          |
|         |         |             |     | a |           |          |
|         |         |             |     | k |           |          |
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|         |         |             |     |   |           |          |
|         |         |             |     |   |           |          |
|         |         |             |     |   |           |          |
+---------+---------+-------------+-----+---+-----------+----------+

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 13%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 16%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="14"><h6
id="recommended-species-and-seeding-rates">Recommended Species and
Seeding Rates</h6></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="14"><h6
id="use-the-seeding-mixture-calculator-in-the-nrcs-upland-wildlife-habitat-management-standard-645-for-seeding-rates.-all-rates-are-in-pure-live-seed-pls">Use
the <em>Seeding Mixture Calculator</em> in the NRCS <em>Upland Wildlife
Habitat Management</em> Standard (645) for seeding rates. All rates are
in Pure Live Seed (PLS)</h6></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="6"></td>
<td colspan="2">Grass/Legume mix #1</td>
<td><p>Rate</p>
<p>Lb./acre</p></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>Total =</p>
<p>(Rate X Acres)</p></td>
<td rowspan="6"></td>
<td colspan="2">Grass/Legume mix #2</td>
<td><p>Rate</p>
<p>Lb./acre</p></td>
<td colspan="4"><p>Total =</p>
<p>(Rate X Acres)</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
<td colspan="2">      </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="7"></td>
<td colspan="2">Additional Forbs</td>
<td><p>Rate</p>
<p>Oz./acre</p></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>Total =</p>
<p>(Rate X Acres)</p></td>
<td rowspan="7"></td>
<td colspan="2">Additional Forbs</td>
<td><p>Rate</p>
<p>Oz./acre</p></td>
<td colspan="4"><p>Total =</p>
<p>(Rate X Acres)</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Oz.</td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Oz.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Oz.</td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Oz.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Oz.</td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Oz.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Oz.</td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Oz.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Oz.</td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Oz.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Oz.</td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">Oz.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2" rowspan="4"> <strong>Firebreaks:</strong></td>
<td colspan="6">Species/Activity</td>
<td colspan="3"><p>Rate</p>
<p>Lb./acre</p></td>
<td colspan="3"><p>Total =</p>
<p><strong>(Rate X Acres)</strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6"></td>
<td colspan="3">     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td><strong>Lbs.</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6"></td>
<td colspan="3">     </td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td>Lbs.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="12"><p> Establish a Bare-Ground Firebreak by disking the
Fall &amp; Spring prior to Prescribed Burning</p>
<p>Disked areas will be re-seeded after each Prescribed Burn</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="14">NOTES:      </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

  --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------------ ----------------
  **Site                                                                       
  Preparation -                                                                
  BEFORE Planting                                                              
  in Year:**                                                                   

  **Herbicide                                                                  **Dates:**      
  (per label):**                                                               

  **Herbicide                                                                  **Dates:**      
  (per label):**                                                               

  **Herbicide                                                                  **Dates:**      
  (per label):**                                                               

  **Tillage:**                                                                 

  **Prescribed                                                                 
  Burning:**                                                                   

  **Temporary                                                                  
  Seeding:**                                                                   

  **Other:**                                                                   

  NOTES:                                                                       
  --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------------ ----------------

  ----------------------------- ---------------------- -------------------
  **Planting Year:**                                   

  **Planting Method (grass                             **Date:**
  planting):**                                         

  **Planting Method                                    **Date:**
  (firebreak):**                                       

  **If unforeseen circumstances                        
  prohibit planting by this                            
  date, please contact the                             
  local NRCS office as soon as                         
  possible.**                                          
  ----------------------------- ---------------------- -------------------

+---------------+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| **            |                    |                                 |
| Post-Planting |                    |                                 |
| Maintenance** |                    |                                 |
+---------------+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| **Mowing:**   |                    |                                 |
| [BEFORE       |                    |                                 |
| ]{.underline} |                    |                                 |
| final Status  |                    |                                 |
| Review, or up |                    |                                 |
| to three (3)  |                    |                                 |
| years, mow to |                    |                                 |
| a             |                    |                                 |
| [minimum      |                    |                                 |
| ]{.underline} |                    |                                 |
| height of six |                    |                                 |
| (6) to eight  |                    |                                 |
| (8) inches    |                    |                                 |
| high [when    |                    |                                 |
| the weeds are |                    |                                 |
| 12 inches     |                    |                                 |
| taller than   |                    |                                 |
| the planted   |                    |                                 |
| grasses       |                    |                                 |
| ]{.underline} |                    |                                 |
+---------------+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| > \*[AFTER    |                    |                                 |
| ]{.underline} |                    |                                 |
| > final       |                    |                                 |
| > Status      |                    |                                 |
| > Review, or  |                    |                                 |
| > up to three |                    |                                 |
| > (3) years,  |                    |                                 |
| > mow to a    |                    |                                 |
| > [minimum    |                    |                                 |
| ]{.underline} |                    |                                 |
| > height of   |                    |                                 |
| > six (6) to  |                    |                                 |
| > eight (8)   |                    |                                 |
| > inches      |                    |                                 |
+---------------+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| Herbicide\*   |                    | Prescribed Burning\*: According |
| **(per        |                    | to an approved plan             |
| label)**:     |                    |                                 |
+---------------+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| **Other:**    |                    |                                 |
|               |                    |                                 |
+---------------+--------------------+---------------------------------+
| > **\*NOTE:   |                    |                                 |
| > [After      |                    |                                 |
| ]{.underline} |                    |                                 |
| > the final   |                    |                                 |
| > Status      |                    |                                 |
| > Review has  |                    |                                 |
| > been        |                    |                                 |
| > issued, or  |                    |                                 |
| > three (3)   |                    |                                 |
| > years       |                    |                                 |
| > (whichever  |                    |                                 |
| > comes       |                    |                                 |
| > first),     |                    |                                 |
| > weed        |                    |                                 |
| > control and |                    |                                 |
| > other       |                    |                                 |
| > maintenance |                    |                                 |
| > activities  |                    |                                 |
| > will be     |                    |                                 |
| > conducted   |                    |                                 |
| > outside the |                    |                                 |
| > nesting     |                    |                                 |
| > season of   |                    |                                 |
| > [April 1 -  |                    |                                 |
| > August      |                    |                                 |
| > 1]          |                    |                                 |
| {.underline}, |                    |                                 |
| > and on a    |                    |                                 |
| > "spot"      |                    |                                 |
| > basis       |                    |                                 |
| > [only]      |                    |                                 |
| {.underline}, |                    |                                 |
| > unless      |                    |                                 |
| > prior       |                    |                                 |
| > approval is |                    |                                 |
| > granted by  |                    |                                 |
| > the FSA     |                    |                                 |
| > County      |                    |                                 |
| >             |                    |                                 |
|  Committee.** |                    |                                 |
+---------------+--------------------+---------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Mid-Contract Management Starting In Year:**                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Prescribed Burning:** according to an approved burn plan Burning    |
| will not occur more than once every 3 years on the same acreage.      |
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Strip Spraying:** Spraying will not occur more than once every 3    |
| years on the same acreage.                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Strip Disking:** Disking will not occur more than once every 3      |
| years on the same acreage.                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Inter-seeding:** Inter-seeding will not occur more than once every  |
| 3 years on the same acreage.                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **The Specific Mid Contract Management Activity will be decided by    |
| the participant in the scheduled year**                               |
|                                                                       |
| **based on condition of the vegetation, site considerations,          |
| capabilities of the participant, etc.**                               |
|                                                                       |
| Treatment will not occur more than once every 3 years on the same     |
| acreage. Reimbursement will be dependant on the activity(s) performed |
| based on local FSA Not-To-Exceed rates.                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **1**                                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| **See [NRCS CRP Mid-contract Management job                           |
| sheets](http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html)    |
| for additional information.**                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Additional Information**

       
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***Helping People Help the Land***

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