Critical Area Planting

Critical Area Planting is when permanent vegetation is planted to stabilize areas such as gullies, over-grazed hillsides or terrace backslopes. While the primary goal is erosion control, the vegetation can also serve as nesting cover for birds and small animals.

Planning

• Other soil conservation measures may be needed above the critical area to ensure stabilization. Sometimes, other conservation practices will be sufficient to stabilize a badly eroding area.


• Consider whether the area will serve as nesting cover, and select plantings accordingly. Native grasses and wildflowers add beauty and wildlife.


• Bare slopes or areas disturbed during construction should be mulched to provide temporary protection.


• Annual grasses may be needed until permanent vegetation is established.


• Consider oats or a similar nurse crop in severely eroded areas. (Mow oats before they head out and mow high to avoid clipping the permanent vegetation.)


• Lime and fertilizer may be needed before planting.

Maintenance

• Permanently exclude livestock from steep slopes.


• In areas where grazing will be allowed, do not allow grazing for a year after planting, and prevent overgrazing once permanent cover is established.


• Delay mowing until July 15 to protect ground-nesting birds.


• Native grasses may benefit from periodic burning, which stimulates new growth and controls competing plants.

Photo credit (farmer maintains slope planted with grasses): USDA NRCS Norm Klopfenstein