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Hamilton County SWCD News

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Garden Tour Highlights Backyard Prairies

9/29/2019

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Claire Lane, Urban Conservationist
Our suburban backyards are often sterile affairs -- little diversity, many non-native plants, and a lot of time and effort mowing grass areas that aren't heavily utilized. While adding in native plants is a great start toward making a backyard a more ecologically vibrant environment, so much more is possible! The two properties featured in our August pop up garden tour are proof that you don't have to have acreage or native plants expertise to have a beautiful, functional, suburban backyard prairie!
Download the tour handout here
*includes the project timeline and process
In the summer of 2016, the Cotton family reached out to the SWCD to learn about sustainable options for management of their mostly turf-grass, 0.2 acre backyard. During a site visit, I helped them identify options including transitioning half of the grass area to a prairie meadow. The Cottons were immediately on board and soon their neighbors were planning their own, too. The SWCD provided guidance on preparing the areas, seed mixes (including sourcing and planting), initial management, and more.  By fall of 2017, the Cotton and Grimes families were prepping their yards and in spring 2018 the seed was in the ground!  Neighbors had some questions when the Grimes and Cottons started to kill off most of their backyard grass and probably even more questions during heavy weed pressure during year one. This summer, the landowners fought back annual weeds and were rewarded with beautiful peak season blooms featuring the yellow and pink of black eyed Susan and purple coneflower. ​
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Signage from the SWCD and Wildlife Federation help educate friends and neighbors on the benefits of the native planting.
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Denise Cotton (center) talks to garden tour attendees about her backyard prairie.
This August, the Soil and Water Conservation District teamed up with the homeowners and the Central Chapter of the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) to feature these backyard prairies as part of the INPS Central Chapter "pop up garden tour" circuit.  Each year, native plant enthusiasts open up their yards on fairly short notice (pop up!) to Central Chapter membership and the public to share the joys of gardening with native plants. On a beautiful August 3rd afternoon, over 100 friends, neighbors, native plant lovers, and native plant/prairie curious individuals toured the two beautiful backyard meadows. ​
INPS reps marked unique native plants in the prairies, the SWCD hosted a table with free seed packs and loads of conservation information, and the Grimes and Cottons displayed a photo board showing photographs and information from their prep and planting process.  Attendees took advantage of the time with the homeowners to pick their brains on the rewards and practical challenges of taking on this type of project.  The results spoke for themselves.​
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Garden tour attendees review the photo display of the prep and planting process.
Create your own
If you are interested in taking on a similar project in your backyard, HOA common area, or church or school property, we're here to help!  There is planning assistance and possibly even financial assistance available. 
If you're not ready to turn most of your backyard into meadow, consider converting a small portion or corner of your yard.  The SWCD has free packets of a 4 species native seed mix and various other seed packets are available for purchase through retailers such as Carndo Native Plant Nursery, Prairie Nursery, and Prairie Moon Nursery. The also keeps a website of local native plant sales here.  Check out site prep and planting information on our website and below to get started (note on seed-- not all seed mixes are created equal, especially "native" or "wildflower" seed mixes at box stores. Often, these mixtures include non-native or even invasive species and aren't the best fit for our pollinators and wildlife). The plant kits available from our spring plant sale are also a great jump start for a small area.​
Resources:
  • Our handout featuring the Grimes and Cotton timeline and process (PDF)
  • Where to buy native plants/seed
  • How to plant an area from seed
  • Join The Indiana Native Plant Society- a great resource and network for everyone from experts to newbies!
  • Grow Indiana Natives Program- INPS program highlighting native plant retailers AND a native garden certification!
While planning, consider things like utilities, HOA covenants, and overall neighborhood aesthetic sensibilities. Backyard native plantings are a great opportunity to educate friends and neighbors on the beauty and function of native plants.  The SWCD has signage available and little actions like keeping tidy borders and using a bench or birdhouse to show care for the area can help people see that your natives aren't "weeds" resulting from lack of care but actually a beautiful, tended home for pollinators and a sustainable choice for your yard!

Remember, a prairie isn't just something 'out there in a park somewhere'  but quite possibly, literally, in your own backyard.

How to create your own backyard meadow:

Whether you have 10 square feet or 10 acres, replacing turf grass with native plants is a great way to reduce maintenance on ecologically sterile areas of your property and replace them with vibrant, diverse native plants that support pollinators, wildlife, water quality, our ecological heritage, and our ecosystem.

Planning
Consider the existing vegetation on  your property as well as underground and above ground utilities, easements, invasive species and potential weed pressure. Use local resources such as your SWCD, INPS chapter and members, Master Gardeners, and Grow Indiana Native resources to guide planning and source quality seed and/or plants.

Terminate existing turfgrass


  • Smother/solarize - Use mulch, newsprint, cardboard, tarps or other materials to kill grass. This method can take as little as 60 days but often requires a full growing season for an effective kill.
  • Sod cutter- A sod cutter can also be used on lawns free of perennial weeds.
  • Till - Avoid tilling if possible as it can expose weed seeds.
  • Herbicide - Glyphosate applications in the fall and/or spring can be successful for prep. Wait 10 days before seeding. It is possible to apply herbicide, mow/scalp the area, and seed directly into dead grass. Rake or lightly roll seed in. 
    • Note- while organic is great, don't immediately discount herbicide use. For some homeowners, a timely and properly applied herbicide can aid in a transition from a resource intensive land use (turfgrass) to a beneficial land use. 

Seed/Plant - Mid-September - late November is a great time to seed natives. Fall plantings favor flowers and don't require watering.
March - April seeding favors grasses.
May - June seeding allows for more soil preparation and spring weed control but may require supplemental watering.

Maintain - Weed control during the first years is critical. Mowing will be necessary ~1x month the first year to combat annual weeds. Target noxious weeds with hand pulling or herbicide. More info is available here.
Enjoy - Consider certifying your garden through the Grow Indiana Native Program. It's free!

​Notes- 

Seeds should be planted no more than 1/4 inch deep.
  • Many natives require cold stratification to germinate. A fall or winter seeding is great to provide stratification naturally.
  • Erosion prone sites may require a cover crop of oats and rye or an erosion control blanket.
  • Seeded areas take patience! It is often three years before areas become successfully established.
  • Native areas are lower maintenance, but not no maintenance. Expect more weed pressure in the first few years--maintenance should drop after the planting is fully established but will never be zero maintenance. 

​Need more info and details? Checkout the resources, guides, and links at hamiltonswcd.org/seedpack & IndianaNativePlants.org
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New Hire: Taylor Wilson

9/27/2019

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Taylor Wilson, Conservation Technician and Outreach Assistant

    Hi everybody! I'm Taylor Wilson, the new Conservation Technician and Outreach Assistant taking over for Jenny Blake. I'm a recent Ball State University graduate with my Bachelors in Natural Resources and Environmental Management and a minor in plant biology. In my studies I spent most of my time focused on soil classifications, plant and tree biology, and erosion control.
      At Ball State I worked with Hult's Farm to develop an erosion control plan for their agriculture fields and placed 12th in the NACTA soil judging competition in Kentucky. I was also involved in several Immersive Learning Projects where students create real life solutions to community issues. Through this program I was able to help design a community park for a neighborhood in Fort Wayne and create an up to date list of food pantries in the Muncie area.  

   
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Image from Tree Pruning at the Noblesville Street Department

If you ever have any questions for me always feel free to stop by our office and see me at the front desk!

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Taylor at a community cleanup at Ball State University
Before working for the Hamilton County SWCD I worked next door at the Noblesville Street Department as an Urban Forestry Intern. I have other experience working for Hamilton County from my previous internship as a vector control technician for the Health Department. 
In my free time I love to spend time outdoors, hike, draw, and  explore nature. I also love foraging for wild food so expect to see some recipes in our future newsletters!
I'm most passionate about environmental education, engaging people, using fun resources to make learning exciting, and of course, protecting the environment.
I hope to bring a lot of creativity into the soil and water conservation district and add an interesting viewpoint into the projects we do here. I look forward to working with you!
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Intern Spotlight: Madison and Makayla

9/27/2019

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Taylor Wilson, Conservation Technician and Outreach Assistant

Madison King

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My name is Madison King and I am a Senior at Noblesville High School. As a runner for Noblesville’s cross country and track team, running is an activity I love to do in my free time. Being around my friends and family is very important to me, and I try to do it often. Going on walks in nature is something I value because I love how beautiful Earth can be.
I'm in my senior year of high school right now. I'm very focused in school--especially since I'm in my last year! I take a lot of science classes because it has always been my favorite subject. In college I'm planning to study environmental science. In the future I want to make a difference in our environment and work with things I love.
I chose this internship because I want to learn more about what I would do with a major in environmental science. Being able to shadow employees of the SWCD helps me better see how a job in this occupation could be for me. I chose this internship because I had heard great things about it. The internship coordinator suggested that because of my interest in environmental science I would love it here--and he was right. 

Makayla Metzler

My name is Makayla Metzler. I’m a senior attending Noblesville High School. In my free time I like to play with my dog and cat or work on art. 
In school I focus a lot on the sciences and often times math as well. I am hoping to go to either New York University or Northeastern University for college to study either criminal justice or psychology. My internship coordinator suggested this internship to me because of my love of science. I’ve always been fascinated by how things work in the world and I am always up for learning new things. The coordinator said really good things about the internship, and I was excited to learn more about this side of science.
​I love plants despite my lack of a green thumb--and this internship is a good opportunity to learn more. 

​
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Planting, Managing, and Terminating Cover Crops for Small Gardens

9/6/2019

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Andrew Fritz, Urban Agriculture Conservationist

Planting

PicturePreparing furrows for cover crop seeds.
Planting cover crops between August 15th and September 15th is ideal. However, depending on fall temperatures, they can be planted as late as October 1st.

This means you will need to “interseed” or “intercrop” within your late summer or early fall vegetables. After weeding for the last time of the year, create furrows in the soil approximately ½” to 1” deep with a hoe, lightly sprinkle your cover crop seed into the furrows. Then cover the seed with soil thereby burying the seed. The cover crops will germinate between your vegetables and not present any issues to growth.

You can also broadcast the seed evenly over your garden and rake in.

Notes:
  • Birds enjoy oat seeds. Covering oat seeds with the soil is advised.
  • Hairy vetch is a legume cover crop that fixes nitrogen into the soil through its roots. A special bacteria is needed to facilitate this. Many urban soils that have been severely compacted and damaged may not have this bacterium in abundance. Therefore, a little packet of a black powdery substance (the inoculant) will need to be mixed with the hairy vetch seeds. Do this by mixing water, the inoculant, and seeds into a bowl to make a slurry with the consistency of paste; meaning that very little water is needed. Then, plant as usual.  

Management

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Will I need to water cover crops?

​If the weather is hot and dry in August and or September, then it may be necessary to water your cover crops to ensure good germination and growth. Otherwise, cover crops will grow well without much attention to water needs.

What happens if they produce seed?
If planted too early, oats may produce a seed before they die due to frosts. In this case, it is best to cut the tops of the oats off as they are flowering but before they produce seed. Crimson Clover, Cereal Rye, and Hairy Vetch will not flower until sometime early to mid-spring. They will need to be cut down as they are flowering but before seeding.

If they produce seed it is likely best to cut and remove the plant to limit weedy issues in the garden. However, some gardeners are okay with this as a cover crop in the midst of your vegetables is not inherently bad. In fact, it can be beneficial.

What do I do if I want to plant early spring vegetables and the cover crops aren’t ready?

There are a few options to accommodate for this.

Option 1: Plant Oats

In the area you plan to grow early spring vegetables, using oats as a cover crop is ideal. Oats will die during the winter.

Option 2: Row Method

Plant the cover crops in rows so that you can then plant your vegetables in-between the rows of cover crops in the spring. The cover crops would then need to be cut while they are flowering to terminate. However, planting between cereal rye is not advisable due to its allelopathic properties that suppresses most vegetable growth.

Option 3: Tilling

The least preferred option as it relates to soil health is tilling. Tilling in the cover crops within the area you’d like to plant your early spring vegetables will terminate the cover crops with the exception of cereal rye which may return in small amounts. 

Terminating (i.e. killing)

There are several ways to terminate cover crops. The best method for many gardeners is the “cut and cover” method. At your convenience, but ideally when the cover crop is flowering (for the greatest soil health benefits), cut down the cover crop with shears, hedge trimmer, mower, etc. and cover with an opaque material like black plastic or opaque landscape fabric to stop photosynthesis. This will also suppress early annual weeds.

​Other options of terminating include tilling (though cereal rye may still come back in small amounts), herbicide application, and cutting at the most vulnerable moment for the cover crop which is usually when it is flowering. Cereal rye can be “crimped” with a special tool but is not practical for many smaller gardens.

Notes:

  • Oats will die naturally during the winter. Crimson clover, cereal rye, and hairy vetch will live throughout the winter and grow as the weather warms in the spring/late winter.
  • Cereal Rye needs to be terminated at least 14 days prior to planting. Cereal rye releases a chemical that can stunt the growth of weeds and many garden vegetables. However, vegetables in the legume family and some vegetables in the Brassica family (e.g. kale, collards, radish, etc.) will grow well within the rye.
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