Logging roads

[Creek chub]

Good morning,

Just curious if y’all could recommend a native grass or something to plant on logging roads to prevent erosion. There is minimal traffic on the roads and good sunlight but the soil is poor

 

[Mitch123]

Rye for sure, grows anywhere

 

[George]

I liked using orchard grass to help stabilize sensitive areas and deer eat it.

G

 

[weekender21]

I’ve asked the same question quite often over the past few years. I ended up planting annual and perennial ryegrass (actual grass not Winter rye) on the roads I don’t want to encourage movement on just to prevent erosion.

On the roads I want to encourage movement on, I planted a mix of MRC and cereal grains. I even added PTT and Radishes to a few sections that I really want deer to key in on.

This will be the first spring/summer growing season for most of the roads. My 2017 ryegrass plantings have done ok but the horrible soil conditions have made it tough. Old logging roads aren't typically east to grow anything on.

This is a picture taken in November of a September planted road. Cereal grains and Annual clover:

Ryegrass planting on a property border road. Good example of planting onto a surface with no topsoil:

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[Creek chub]

I’ve asked the same question quite often over the past few years. I ended up planting annual and perennial ryegrass (actual grass not Winter rye) on the roads I don’t want to encourage movement on just to prevent erosion.

On the roads I want to encourage movement on, I planted a mix of MRC and cereal grains. I even added PTT and Radishes to a few sections that I really want deer to key in on.

This will be the first spring/summer growing season for most of the roads. My 2017 ryegrass plantings have done ok but the horrible soil conditions have made it tough. Old logging roads aren't typically east to grow anything on.

This is a picture taken in November of a September planted road. Cereal grains and Annual clover:

Ryegrass planting on a property border road. Good example of planting onto a surface with no topsoil:

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Which rye grass did better for you, the annual or perrienel?

 

[weekender21]

Which rye grass did better for you, the annual or perrienel?

I added both in equal amounts on about 1k yards of road. I can’t tell them apart. I’d assume all that’s left is the perennial grass.


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[Creek chub]

I added both in equal amounts on about 1k yards of road. I can’t tell them apart. I’d assume all that’s left is the perennial grass.

Cool. I’m trying to figure out what’s most cost effective in the long run.
Blending annual and perennial grasses may be the way to go for quick establishment but also get the benefit of long term coverage.

Have you tried adding clover into the rye grass? I’m mainly interested in erosion control but also driving my atv over it from time to time
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[THE LLC]

Broomsedge

 

[Creek chub]

Broomsedge

Online seed seems pricey but I know a pasture that is full of this stuff.
I wonder if I can manually harvest the seed?

 

[pinetag]

Have you looked into some of the mixes companies like Ernst Seed sell? They have a lot of options that are specifically designed for disturbed soils that will help prevent erosion and some can even provide cover. I have never previously ordered from them but I plan to get a custom seed mix in the coming weeks (they've already given me a quote).

https://www.ernstseed.com/product-category/erosion-control-and-revegetation/

 

[dogghr]

As much as I complain of it..... Fescue. Deep roots, grows anywhere on poor conditions and takes a decent beating from traffic. Mix with a grain and clovers.
Might also research mining reclaim on your Forestry and DNR page as this is basically what you are doing. Poor soils, compaction, etc.

 

[j-bird]

I hate fescue as well....but erosion control is what it's designed for. We use it in our waterway projects simply because it will hold the soil the best and is durable to equipment traffic and the like. The trick with anything you plant is it getting enough sunlight.

 

[THE LLC]

Fescue is like ryegrass. Has it's place but it will quickly get out of that place into places it don't belong. Best thing with those is to never get them started.

 

[THE LLC]

Online seed seems pricey but I know a pasture that is full of this stuff.
I wonder if I can manually harvest the seed?

Go out in a field of it and snap it off and lay it all over the roads. Those little white feathery looking things are the seeds.

 

[Creek chub]

Go out in a field of it and snap it off and lay it all over the roads. Those little white feathery looking things are the seeds.

I’m gonna give this a try. It’s a warm season grass, right?

 

[Native Hunter]

As much as I complain of it..... Fescue. Deep roots, grows anywhere on poor conditions and takes a decent beating from traffic. Mix with a grain and clovers.
Might also research mining reclaim on your Forestry and DNR page as this is basically what you are doing. Poor soils, compaction, etc.

You caused me to do this....

 

[dogghr]

You caused me to do this....

Yes and what a proud moment it were!

 

[Native Hunter]

Yes and what a proud moment it were!

Don't worry, I will save the picture for the next time you need it.....

 

[dogghr]

Yea and if it wasn't for the likes of your kind, I could skip church some weeks. But as is, I need all the help I can to control my anger issues. LOL

 

[deer patch]

Don't worry, I will save the picture for the next time you need it.....

I think we all need to chip in and get one made for doggr, so he can put that at the entrance to his farm or over his mantle.