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Very small 'meadow' question
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Posted by croakie_SC SC Zone 8 (My Page) on Mon, Nov 21, 05 at 17:22
| I have a small bed, 8'-10' x 24' or so, that I'm going to plant with Little Bluestem, Side Oats Grama and wildflowers next year. I'm starting the seeds through the winter-sowing method and I'm going to cover the bed with newspaper and chopped leaves this winter to help eliminate the existing plants (mostly weeds). I am confused however on whether/when to mow this small bed once I get it established. As small as it is, should it still be mowed in the spring of the second year? What about the spring bloomers like columbine that I'm putting in? Does it need to be mowed every year, or should it only be done every other or every third year if at all? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Very small 'meadow' question
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| Since you have a small area, I suggest that you use mulch rather than mowing to control weeds. Next spring, you can plug in your seedlings (or potted plants) right through your newspaper layer. If you maintain this layer, by adding more newspaper or other mulch during the next growing season, most of your weed problems will be eliminated (though some hand weeding will probably be required). You won't need to mow as you would in a larger planted where plants are started from broadcast seed. Once your bed is established, you will probably want to mow or weed-whack annually to remove old growth. I like to leave stems standing through the winter to provide cover and food (seed heads) for birds. I usually do a thorough clean-up (weed whack and raking) in early spring to allow the soil to warm and stimulate early-blooming plants. But I add new mulch as the growing season progresses to keep weeds down. |
RE: Very small 'meadow' question
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| Thanks a bunch. One more question though, why do you removed the cuttings? Will it hurt anything to leave them there as mulch? I usually leave stems stand over winter for wildlife and when I cut them off in spring most of them are left laying on the bed to decompose. I usually leave my deadheadings the same way. |
RE: Very small 'meadow' question
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| I remove the dead material mainly to expose the soil to spring sunshin and stimulate growth of sun-loving species. (But I have to admit that I am also indulging in some compulsive 'gardening' behavior as I anticipate the onset of the growing season.) I like to think of this as a substitute for burning, which I cannot do in my backyard plantings. Tallgrass prairie plants are adapted to periodic removal of dead material, and some species will not persist if layers of dead 'mulch' are allowed to accumulate. I don't have any scientific evidence to support this strategy, but it works for me! |
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