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r <br />3. Topsoil Application <br />The recoremendation for topsoil should be based primarily or', need anti <br />cost. <br />Topsoil is needed on sites having an exposed soil surface low in <br />organic matter and texture classification of clay loam or heavier. <br />This need increases significantly if the soils are inherently dry, <br />if the slopes are greater than 6:1 and if the slope aspect is south <br />or southwest. <br />The total cost of topsoil should include cost of purchase, trar.spcr- <br />tation, and application. <br />Topsoil should be applied after shaping and grading have been c~"r; i.rsi <br />and the site tilled to a depth of approximately 6 ins}.es. '::ilap,e <br />permits topsoil to bind with existing soil. Binding of soil 1a c~rr <br />prevents air pockets, encourages root penetration, and prev~r:ts te;...:.. <br />slippage on slopes. <br />Following application of topsoil, final steps in seedbed preparation <br />should be completed. <br />+. Fertilizer Application <br />A. Critical areas shall be fertilized unless a la~orato:•y soil analysis <br />indicates sufficient amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous are present <br />for establishment of vegetation. <br />B. If fertilizer is recommended, rate of application should not be less <br />than 40 lbs of nitrogen and 40 lbs of phosphate. <br />C. Time of application should normally be immediately i~rior to seeding. <br />If proper equipment is used, fertilizer may be applied at time of <br />seeding. If the nutrient content of the soil is sufficient for <br />establishment, it may be desirable to apply fertilizer after grass <br />is well established. This procedure allows the grass, rather than <br />weeds, to better utilize the plant nutrients. <br />5. Mulching <br />A. All critical areas will be mulched. (For purposes of establishing <br />vegetation, a critical area is described as a site having adverse <br />conditions to the extent that normal farming practices wall rot <br />result in a satisfactory vegetative cover wit}rin a reasonable perio~ <br />of time. For instance, all dams will be mulched, but often it is <br />not necessary to mulch the flat borrow areas, even though the entire <br />acreage is reported as critical area planting.) <br />B. For a guide in selecting the most effective mulch for controlling <br />erosion and aiding in establishing vegetation, see Agronomy !lore --~ <br />No. 47, "Mulches for Critical Areas", and Standards 5 Specifications <br />for "Mulching". <br />Fa~;e ' of 3 <br /> <br />