80 (800) 728-4043 Don't Let Land Wash Away Know the differences between hydro-seeding and hydro-mulching. Native seeds really want to touch the earth...as in seed-to-soil contact. Ok, let's put the slightest amount of mulch in the tank for a marker only. Load a measure of seed to cover appropriate square footage of ground. Add a dose of compost tea, molasses or other bio-starter. But skip the fertilizer. Natives don't need it, don't want it. Hydro-seed until area is covered with proper seeding rate. Avoid or cut back use of tackifiers. Then cap the job with a hydro-mulch coating. Not too thick, 3/8" thick max. Pray for rain or turn on the water as with any seeding until established. Most Important: Before hydro-seeding natives, clean every crook & cranny to remove every livin' last bermuda seed from equipment, truck bed, hose nozzles, floorboard and treads of your shoes. Bermuda, an uncontrollable invasive grass, does not belong in native plantings. Cereal Rye Grain Secale cereale Nurse Crop: If you need fast coverage on harsh soils, steep slopes or other difficult conditions, mix smaller amounts of Cereal Rye Grain to help nurse native plantings. Rye grain easily sprouts. Provides some growth even in difficult conditions. Helps create temporary life while slower to establish native species take time. Caution, do not over apply cereal rye grain with native seeds at full rates. Plant just enough to nurse the natives along. Wet mild winter seasons cause overgrowth, smothering native seedlings. Cut & remove excess growth early & often as required, without cutting spring wildflowers. Rye will burn out naturally with early summer temperatures. Decaying biomass makes organic matter and new soil. Cereal Rye will not return next year. Cover Crop: One-time temporary use, to hold and stabilize soil until permanent planting season arrives. Old time farmers used to cover crop their land in winter before chemical fertilizers came along. Produces dense fibrous roots creating organic matter which feeds the soil. Roots hold soil and moisture in place. Readily sprouts in cool temperatures. Broadcast seed on prepared surface. Lightly till or drag to provide 1/4”-1/2” covering of soil. Roll or pack to firmly make seed to soil contact. Seed will germinate with 1” rain or supplemental irrigation. In late winter/early spring, scalp the cover crop short to suppress spring growth. Rake and remove excess thatch to warm the soil with spring sunshine. No-till drill native seed mix directly into remaining rye stubble. Underground root mass continues providing erosion control. With top growth removed, permanent native seeds quickly sprout with rising soil temps and beneficial spring rains. OR plow/till the mown green cover crop (aka green manure) into soil to increase organic matter. Consider erosion control techniques such as bio-degradable net-free erosion blankets to protect seeding projects, enhancing establishment of native prairie plants. Cereal Rye Grain is non- native but is ecologically benign. Our seed is free of weeds such as Bastard Cabbage (p. 96). Plant Fall thru Spring 1,000 sq ft 5,000 sq ft 10,000 sq ft 20,000 sq ft Two Acres 500 sq ft 2,500 sq ft 5,000 sq ft 10,000 sq ft One Acre D-Pak 12 lbs 25 lbs 50 lbs 200 lbs $9 $19 $39 $1.50/lb Cover Crop (heavy) Nurse Crop (light) Height: 1-5 feet Planting Rates Lbs Value Item #8000
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