#organic control

Bur Oak Savanna - Oak Woodland - Reed Canary Grass (RCG) organic control method - to avoid spraying under oak trees.

Second spring season pulling of boot stage RCG stems and clumps are working their tillers though added organic matter high carbon mulch layer. Pulled RCG are piled on remaining mulch in manner to keep tillers from reestablishing - Note: Prior Fall oak leaves mulched while mowing trail are very helpful for RCG patch smothering and followup pulling.

Pulled RCG with side and deep tillers.

Green trail cuttings from mower are layer mulched on top of pulled RCG. RCG takes composting heat. Remaining RCG on sides will be added as top mulch layer.

Reed Canary Grass (RCG) organic control method May 2017

RCG patches remaining within mesic/wet prairie restoration - seen as tall dark green grass.

As the RCG clumps reach boot stage and start to flower (late May) they are cut with clearing saw and mulched on top of patch. Boot and flowering stalks have more carbon vs. just green leaves and make a more durable mulch layer.

However as additonal mulching materials are needed green grass from trail mowing, area weeds, leaves, and year end straw are all added.

The resulting high organic matter and carbon mulch layer creates a loose soil layer above the mineral soil layer that as RCG tries to recolonize are susceptible to removal though pulling.

Pulling of RCG should be done in boot stage, or late tillering season before winter freeze.

Pulled RCG is added to the mulching layer.