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1. <br />General concerns when reseeding a disturbed site. <br />1. Many parts of El Paso County that are disturbed have very little <br />topsoil. When disturbing a site and when possible, any topsoil that can <br />be removed for later use will only help in reestablishing vegetation on <br />the site. As a general rule, removing the top 4 inches of topsoil <br />before the heavy construction begins will be sufficient. The top 4 <br />inches has the most organic matter and may be a store of native seed <br />that when spread back onto the site can help in reclamation. If the <br />site will be disturbed for a long period of time (more than 1 year) <br />provisions should be made to stabilize the topsoil until it can be <br />reused. <br />2. Seedbed preparation since most of the site to be seeded will be <br />heavily traveled areas, compacted areas, fill or material stockpile <br />areas should include several considerations. <br />A. If the area is highly compacted from machinery traffic, the <br />area should be chiseled or tilled to a depth of 1 foot or more. <br />This will break up most hard pan layers that were created and <br />permit greater water infiltration and root penetration. After <br />such renovation the site should be disced and dragged and <br />mildly compacted to provide seedbed that is smooth and <br />relatively flat. The seedbed should be well settled and friable <br />enough to permit placement of seed at the recommended seeding <br />depth. Optimum firmness is when approximately a one -half inch <br />deep boot print is left after walking across the prepared site. <br />B. The seedbed should be as rock and weed -free as possible. If <br />heavy weed invasion has already occurred on the site to be <br />seeded, weed control will be necessary to control the weeds and <br />prevent the existing vegetation from competing with the new <br />seeding. Mowing would be recommended until the new grass stand <br />is established. Herbicide application should be avoided for the <br />first couple years as it could kill many of the new plants that <br />are trying to establish. The county weed control <br />specialist would be a good source of information on the best <br />chemical to use when the time comes. Areas that have been <br />totally denuded of topsoil should be considered for a topsoil <br />application. If possible, a topdressing of topsoil at least 4 <br />inches thick should be applied and worked into the existing <br />soil material on site. This will greatly increase the chances <br />of establishing vegetation on the site. <br />C. If fertilizer were specified, I would recommend that an <br />application of 20 lbs per acre of phosphorus and 20 lbs per <br />acre of nitrogen be applied and worked into the soil before <br />seeding. If you are concerned that fertilizer is the limiting <br />element in a successful seeding, I would recommend a soil test <br />to determine need. <br />D. Prior to topsoil spreading, any banks or other slopes of <br />moderate or greater degree should be worked within reason to <br />provide as minimal a slope as possible, preferably 3:1 or <br />flatter. If steeper slopes are to be reseeded you need to <br />