Report number 3 on the results
of re-vegetation by means of hydromulching at Duck Creek Farm
The
site
A northerly facing cut face of an angle exceeding
45 degrees approximately 90 x 2.5 metres. Due to the northerly aspect
and the steep angle of the slope the site tends to remain dry even
during periods of high precipitation.
Date seeded
1 June 2006
Evaluation of the site on the 13 September 2006
Observations made
During the four weeks following the last inspection the site received
little precipitation.
Due to the dryer conditions the soil on the bank has dried out
considerably causing it to crack and crumble in many places. Mechanical
support given to the bank by the hydromulch has remained good however
this has been able to do little to prevent the collapse of bank. In
areas where there has been no mechanical damage to the bank and little
germination has taken place
the mulch has maintained excellent adhesion to the surface, in no areas
whatsoever has it washed off, even on the steepest slopes.
On the steepest driest sections of the slope there has been further
mechanical failure where whole sections of the upper the bank have
become dislodged. This can be clearly seen in the accompanying
photographs.
Along the entire area seeded there has been little germination along
a band at the at the top of the back this has no doubt been caused by
the
much drier conditions encountered in the root zone of the vegetation
growing
at the top of the bank. There is also no doubt competition for
nutrients
by the plants that are already established above.
The more northwest facing sections of the site have continued to shown
inferior results, in addition considerable amounts of soil have slid
down the slope which have partially covered the vegetation at the base
of the bank.
Little germination of the other seed has occurred to date possibly due
to the drier conditions experienced over the last four weeks.
Fertilization
600 g of Nitrophoska 12% N, 10% P, 10%K, 4.6 % Ca, 1.2 % Mg fertilizer
was distributed over the entire area mulched as well as on the slope
immediately above the mulched area in a strip approximately .5m wide.
In conclusion
The results so far are satisfactory however due to the drier conditions
over the last four weeks some of the grass that had germinated on the
upper slope has died or is badly wilted. There has not been a
tremendous increase in growth over this period.
Michael Hickman
14.10.06
Michael Hickman