| Hay Wilson in TX - 11/29/2012 11:41
How long would it require to turn that wood lot into a fertile prairie?
A couple decades or more Bill for true prairie soil function and fertility at depth...depends on the plant species in the succession phase and maintenace thereafter. If one can let succession take over for just 5 yrs while controlling brush and before planting crops/improved forages on timbered soil, there is a marked beneficial effect on soil tilth from the native weed and grass community. Think of it like a free and perpetual cover crop. In just 3 yrs, we have been able to reduce water runoff from the upland improvement projects....that in my mind is BIG and it's nice to see the lowland eroded ditches start to revegetate...some ponds don't refill as fast which is a downside. Most however are too impatient to let mother nature work her magic....it usually cathes up with them many $$ later. |
Mowing fence rows all year round now?
