Site Prep and Planting
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| Sod removal prior to planting at SARA Park in Tomahawk, WI. |
Taking adequate time to prepare the restoration site before planting will result in less weeds and more vigorous plants. The amount of site prep necessary will depend on the environmental conditions found at your site, explained in more detail on the “Restoration Planning” page. Active restorations will require the most site prep as you will be first removing sod in order to replant with native species. Techniques for removing sod are further explained in the following handout:
Sod Removal Techniques (PDF)
Soil Preparation
While invasive species and sod-grass should be removed prior to planting natives, additional soil preparation is typically not required. Adding nutrients to the soil, such as fertilizer, peat moss, or black dirt, can often backfire. The rich conditions they create favor weed growth, while prompting natives to grow faster without building strength. This can result in floppy, weak plants. If you correctly matched your native plant choices to the soil conditions already found on the site, the plants will thrive.
Before exposing soil, however, it is a good idea to seek out and obtain the native plants you would like to use. Bare soil can quickly become an erosion problem if not anchored in place by plant roots. On the slopes often found around local lakes, this erosion can be especially damaging. Refer to the “Native Plant” page for additional information on selecting and sourcing native plants before you begin your project.
Mulching
One technique for holding soil in place is mulching the restoration area
before placing plant plugs in the ground. While the plants are getting established, mulch will protect the soil from wind and runoff, discourage weed growth, and help conserve soil moisture. Mulch depths should vary from around 1 inch near herbaceous plants, like wildflowers and grasses, to 3 inches around woody species, like trees and shrubs. Shredded hardwood is a good mulch choice as it knits together and stays put. Be sure to pull mulch away from stems to give plants a little breathing room.
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| Mulched plants at SARA Park. |