Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

  I have heard before that if site   conditions aren't perfect when seeding an area to establish a vegetative cover, that you can merely add more seed beyond the recommended seeding rate to get a better stand of vegetation?  If this were true, why not plant 10 pine seedlings per square foot to establish a forest? This is silly. Seeding rates are based on research which have determined the optimal seeding rates for establishing a specific crop.  When too many plants are in a confined space, the plants will thin themselves because of limited resources. There is limited soil for the plant roots, limited available water in the soil, limited nutrients in the soil, limited sunlight for photosynthesis, etc. So, don't waste money sowing more seed than recommended.  It is best to make sure the grass seed has the best chance to thrive. So, make sure the soil is loose and friable (not compacted), the soil is within the right pH range, the right plant nutrients are availa...

  The 2018 version of the Alabama Handbook for Erosion Control, Sediment Control and Stormwater Management on Construction Sites and Urban Areas (a.k.a., The Blue Book ) will be up for revision in 2022. FYI – Plans are to make available the proposed major changes to the Blue Book on our new website for interested individuals to look at and review.  Constructive comments on any of the contents in the 2018 Blue Book and these proposed major revisions for the 2022 Blue Book should be provided in writing to the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee at this address: Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee P.O. Box 304880 Montgomery, AL 36130-4800 Comments are welcome anytime, but to make sure your thoughts are considered for the 2022 Blue Book, please get them in by December 31, 2021. So, this is your opportunity to make sure Alabama’s Blue Book continues to be the most technically sound E&SC Handbook of any state. Also, go to either the Google Play ...

  Establishing perennial vegetation by seeding is by far the most economical way to get permanent vegetative cover on a site.  But it not only has to be done right (seedbed preparation, lime, fertilizer, etc.) but the seed must have a good chance to germinate and grow prior to its dormant period.  The species of seed selected for a project has its own recommended seeding dates.  The closer you get to the ending date, the more potential for the vegetation to not survive its period of non-vegetative growth.  For warm-season perennial vegetation (Bermudagrass, Bahia, etc.)  the non-vegetative growth period is the cold winter months, while the non-vegetative growth period for the cool season perennial vegetation (Tall Fescue) is the hot summer months. The vegetation needs to germinate (energy from the seed), and have plenty of time to grow and photosynthesize to provide the energy for the roots.  The stored energy in the roots is what allows the plant to v...