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RECLAMATION PLAN <br />greater flexibility than broadcasting, but if broadcasting can be done at the <br />. proper time there rarely is any advantage to drilling the seed. Plus, <br />drilling seed costs a great deal more in labor although the amount of seed is <br />approximately 5OY. of what is needed for broadcasting. <br />Eased upon the climate patterns for this area, seeding can occur between <br />February 1 and April 30. If the seed is broadcast the seeding period ends <br />about March 1S. After March 15 for broadcasting, or April 30 for drilling, <br />germination success will be dependent upon the amount of rain received. In <br />normal years, broadcasting after March 15 or drilling after April 30 will <br />produce moderate success and in dry years a high failure rate is likely. When <br />broadcasting, the earlier the seed is planted usually the better the success. <br />It is possible to seed between Decertber 1 and February 1, but a wet <br />period followed by a prolonged midwinter thaw could result in germination too <br />early. If this was followed by a period of subzero conditions many of the <br />seedlings could be killed. Therefore, it is not recommended seeding occur in <br />winter on this site as the risk of failure is high. If necessary it can be <br />done, recognizing the area might need additimal seed later. <br />If these seeding recommendations are followed, mulches should not be <br />. necessary to insure success. If seeding occurs more than 14 days later than <br />the recommended maximum date, mulching with 2000 pounds of weed free straw per <br />acre and adding 30 pounds per acre of nitrogen would probably be necessary to <br />insure comparable success. The nitrogen is necessary to provide the needs of <br />soil microbes when decomposing the highly carbonaceous straw. If it is not <br />added, severe nitrogen deficiency in the native soils is likely. Without the <br />nitrogen, the gains through producing a cooler, more moist soil will largely <br />be lost in nutritional deficiency. <br />An alternative to mulching is double seeding. A late seeding can be <br />followed by a secmd seeding at 50% of the recommended rate between September <br />15 and October 15. <br />In the .event of unusually dry crnditions that result in an average grass <br />density of less than 3 plants per square foot at the end of the first growing <br />season, a second seeding will occur. This seeding will be at 5OY. to 75/. of <br />the original seeding rate and will be planted at the next normal seeding <br />period. <br />Page 21 <br />