Transcript MOWING
MOWING PRACTICES Where, When, Why, and How Grass Type • Perennial – vegetative reproduction through rhizomes, stolons, and tillering • Annual – weedy grasses – cheatgrass, cereal rye • Introduced species – good germination, and plant vigor, able to withstand mowing • Native species – slower germination, not as competitive, lower growing, does not like mowing • Cool season – active growth in spring and fall – e.g. Crested Wheat, Intermediate Wheat, Sheep Fescue • Warm season- summer growth period – e.g. Inland Salt Grass, Sand Dropseed, Alkali Sacaton WHY MOW • • • • • Safety- Sight Distance Prevent build up of wind blown debris Mow around signs and guardrail Public pressure IRVM – Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management –weed control • Fire suppression Mowing For Weed Control • Works best to control annual and biennial weed • Timing is critical – mow when weeds are flowering. Mowing to late will just spread seeds • Mowing perennial weeds - defoliation interferes with production of stored carbohydrates and eventually depletes reserves and weakens plant, reducing competitive ability When to Mow • Anytime for safety issues • Timing for weed control • Do not mow immediately after herbicide application • When grass is taller than 14” • When desirable grasses are dormant : for cool season grasses July, August • After seed head formation-helps to spread seeds • Do not mow when ground is to wet Mowing Height Standard • No shorter than 6 inches • Scalping grasses is harmful to the grass plants • Can cause damage to basal meristem • Defoliation interferes with the plants ability to produce its own food • Decreases foliar shading of soil How to Mow • Mowing Height – 6 in. • Keep blades sharp • Inspect area to be mowed for debris, and potential projectiles • Drive slowly • When moving mowers clean of deck and tractor so weed seed is not spread • Do not tear up grass stands with tires or mower decks Where to Mow • • • • • Intersections for sight distance Shoulders –Safety strips Medians Do not mow slopes steeper than 3:1 Do not mow into natural vegetation areas boarding contour zones • Behind guardrail NO MOW / REDUCED MOW What is Reduced Mowing? • Allows mowing only in safety sensitive areas- e.g. strip and median mowing, sight distance concerns, pavement preservation • Allows mowing for noxious weed control • incorporates environmental stewardship into roadside maintenance • Allows for a natural growth of roadside vegetation through a natural succession to a stable ecosystem Benefits Of Reduced Mowing • Encourages the return of native grasses and wildflowers • Creates a natural ecosystem • Has a more natural look • Offers habitat for wildlife • Improves plant health and plant competition • Fewer weeds = less herbicides = saved $$$$$ • Reduced mowing = saved $$$$$ Statewide Mowing Budget $792,460 How a reduced mow program would save money, for example: • Reduce mowing by 30 % = $237,738 • Reduce mowing by 50% = $396,230 Statewide Herbicide Budget $1,021,150 With reduced mowing, if herbicide usage could be reduced by, for example: • 20% = $204,230 savings • 30% = $306,345 savings KNOW BEFORE YOU MOW! CHEMICAL MOWING Plant Growth Regulators(PGR) Seed Head Suppression Plateau Herbicide Herbicides,Rates and Species • Plateau 10 to 12 oz with MSO on Intermediate Wheat grass • Plateau 6 to 8 oz with MSO on Crested Wheat grass • Campaign Herbicide • Oust Herbicide Advantages of Chemical Mowing • Costs less than mechanical mowing • Quicker than mechanical mowing • Works in hard to mow areas, around delineators,signs, guardrails. • Unsafe areas, no shoulder Disadvantages of Chemical Mowing • Generally takes out all broadleaf plants • Can leave brown or dead tops of plants DO IT WRONG ROADSIDES FOR WILDLIFE Roadside Cover