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r . <br />• • <br />iJNI'fED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE <br />Soil Conservation Service <br />Colorado <br />STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATION <br />t4ULCHING - 484 <br />(Acre) <br />Technical Guide <br />Section IV <br />All Field Offices <br />February 1982 <br />Standard <br />Definition B. Straw or Hay Mulch <br />Applying plant residues or other 1. The material will be grass <br />materials not produced on the site to hay or cereal grain straw (both <br />the soil surface. referred to as straw in these <br />specifications). <br />Purpose <br />To conserve moisture; prevent surface <br />,' compaction or crusting; reduce runoff <br />and erosion; control insects; and help <br />establish plant cover. <br />Conditions where practice applies <br />On soils subject to erosion on which <br />low-residue-producing crops, such as <br />grapes and small fruits are grown; on <br />critical areas; and on soils that have <br />a low infiltration rate. <br />Specifications <br />A. General <br />1. The area shall be relatively <br />smooth and free of gullies or drifts. <br />2. Mulching material shall be <br />applied immediately before or after <br />seeding unless seed is applied with <br />the mulch. When stabilizing sandy <br />soils it is recommended that seeding <br />will be done after mulch application <br />to prevent seeding too deep. For <br />additional information refer to <br />Agronomy Technical Note 1141 (Rev, 1). <br />V <br />2. The normal rate of appli- <br />cation shall be 4,000 Lbs/ac. of <br />air-dry material spread uniformly <br />over the area. <br />3. At least SOY. of the mulch <br />by weight shall be LO inches or <br />more In length. <br />4. The straw will be free of <br />noxious weeds. <br />5. One of the following <br />methods of anchoring the straw <br />mulch will be used: <br />a. Manufactured mulch <br />netting: Mulch netting will be <br />pulled hand tight over straw. <br />Mulch netting will be held firmly <br />in place by metal pins commer- <br />cially available from mulch net <br />manufacturers for this purpose. <br />They are usually made of 8 guage <br />wire and are 6-8 inches long. Pin <br />spacing will be in accordance with <br />the manufacturer's instructions. <br />if the soil is sandy or otherwise <br />loose, use Longer pins and wooden <br />stakes to firmly secure the <br />netting. <br />TGN 11182 2/82 <br />