Installation Guide

Native Community Establishment
The establishment of a native plant community occurs in three stages.  The initial phase is site preparation which is followed by planting and finally maintenance.  Each of the phases of establishment is critical to building a native community.

Site Preparation
Prior to planting most sites a full year of preparation is necessary.  Site preparation can also be divided into three stages, soil conditioning, weed control, and erosion control.  Although native plants can be grown on virtually any soil, soil compaction, rough soil surfaces and toxins can slow the establishment of natives.  This can leave areas un-vegetated or providing areas for weeds to invade.  Agrecol employs primary (ripping) and secondary (field cultivation) tillage on all sites that have been manipulated by earth moving equipment.  Tillage is also used when the soil surface is so rough it can not be effectively planted. 

Weeds Removing weeds before you plant is essential to a successful native planting.  Below are listed several common methods to reduce weeds prior to planting: 1. Use a non-selective herbicide (Roundup®) at least once each season: spring, summer and fall. 2. Cover the area with black plastic, cardboard, or mulch for one or more growing seasons. 3. Rototill the area at least twice monthly for at least one entire growing season. 4. A combination of the listed methods. With all of these methods care must be taken not to remove quality native plants.

Agrecol believes in the liberal use of cover crops, weed-free straw, polymer, and straw matting to minimize soil loss.  Additional benefits of these products include identification of toxic soil conditions, increased seed germination, additional soil conditioning, and seedling protection.