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ESPEY. HUSTON b ASSOCIATES, INC. <br />eh <br />• <br />13.5.4.3 Prepazatory Crops <br />Preparatory crops can be utilized to establish a rapid growing vegetative <br />cover. They may be seeded immediately or soon after retopsoiling for temporary <br />stabilization prior to seeding perennial species at a more optimum time of yeaz; in <br />order to optimize soil moisture by acting as a fallow crop; increase organic matter <br />in the soil due to lazge mass of shallow roots; and help reduce establishment of <br />undesirable weed species. <br />The optimum time for planting perennial species in the mine plan azea is <br />during the fall of the yeaz. The use of a prepazatory crop on areas retopsoiled in the <br />spring would provide protection until the permanent seed mixture could be planted <br />• in the stubble during the fall planting period. If early spring planting can be <br />accomplished on newly prepared azeas, perennial species will be planted in conjunc- <br />tion with the prepazatory crop. Ten pounds pure live seed wintergraze will be added <br />to appropriate seed mixture. <br />Quick growing annuals, such as bazley, can produce a ]azge amount of <br />second year volunteer growth unless mowed prior to seehead formation. To preclude <br />this second year growth potential, wintergraze will be used on all areas requiring a <br />temporary or stabilizing condition. Wintergraze is a sterile hybrid resulting from a <br />cross of wheatgrass and wheat which was developed by DeKalb Ag Reseazch, Inc. <br />Use of preparatory crops with additional perennial species will be used <br />oa hydrologic control structures and topsoil and subsoil stockpiles for stabilization <br />efforts. Areas seeded with wintergraze for a preparatory crop will be seeded at 25 <br />pounds pure live seed per acre. <br /> <br />13-32 <br />