How To Raise A Meadow
It’s not just an overgrown patch of weeds
By Brian Koehler
With shrinking maintenance budgets on the horizon, municipalities and other public agencies have been researching options to reduce costs. One frequently considered initiative is the addition of turf to reduce the amount of mowing by maintenance crews. While turf is necessary in some public areas, there is a large up-front cost for equipment and continuous costs for labor, maintenance, fertilizer, pest management, and fuel. Alternatively, well-implemented and managed meadows and natural landscapes require less costly maintenance that can lead to substantial cost savings while offering other sustainable benefits to communities.
Photo: © Can Stock Photo / AntoniaLorenzo
Benefits Of Meadow Establishment
In addition to the financial savings, meadows offer a host of ecological benefits. When an ecosystem is unbalanced, humans must develop alternative, engineered systems that are often costlier and less-efficient than naturally supported infrastructure. Though more difficult to accurately quantify, potential benefits include the following:
Stormwater control
Increased wildlife and pollinator habitat
Reduced air pollution.
Each of these benefits not only has positive economic impacts, but also improves health and wellness for the citizens in surrounding areas. For example, flood control can save thousands of dollars in property-damage and insurance claims; increased pollinator habitat can positively impact local agriculture; and cleaner air can reduce significant health problems, alleviating the need for people to stay home from work and school.
While the benefits are numerous, you must decide if establishing a more natural landscape is the right decision for the community. It is not as simple as raising the mower deck and redirecting maintenance staff tasks. In fact, implemented improperly, establishing a meadow without strategic direction can become an extremely expensive mistake.
This is not a quick, cheap, or easy fix!
Properly established meadows involve several seasons of investment in time and resources. The cost-savings are not immediate, as there are up-front developmental costs that will lead to long-term maintenance savings over seasons of operation. If you do not have extensive experience or expertise with managing natural habitats, consider an incremental approach before the agency decides to jump into a massive project.
Steps To Establishing A Meadow
1. Planning a location. In late winter, select an appropriate area of only a few thousand square feet.
2. Purchasing seeds. Choose an appropriate native-seed mix, depending on the specific climate and desired outcome. Costs will vary, depending whether you want to establish colorful wildflowers, native grass species, or a combination of the two in different areas. The cost for seed mixes can average from $60 to $80 per 1,000 square feet, if seeded at a rate of 20 pounds per acre (~0.5lb/1,000 square feet). Be sure to consult a reputable native-seed supplier within your state so you purchase the best mix; bargain mixes may contain old, damaged, or moldy seed that either may have lower germination or may contain invasive species, which might produce questionable results.
3. Killing off existing turfgrass. To remove turfgrass, simply spray the areas with a herbicide, like glyphosate. However, several more sustainable methods that still successfully stop weeds from growing by removing their access to light can be used. One option is to mechanically remove turf and the topsoil underneath, which eliminates weeds and their seeds that compete with the meadow. Alternatively, you might lay sheets of thick (4- or 6-mil) black plastic over the entire area, overlapping the edges by about a foot if more than one sheet or roll of plastic is used, and weighing the ends down with either soil or other available materials.
4. Encouraging growth. If an organic mulch is preferred, it’s best to start with a layer of cardboard so grass and weeds cannot grow through the mulching material. Watering the cardboard and pinning it down may help it stay in place. Applying shredded bark, leaves, or other material over the top may make it less conspicuous than an expanse of plastic or cardboard. However, all organic material should be raked off and redistributed elsewhere before seeding in order to avoid enriching nutrient levels in the soil. Finally, do not apply compost, manure, or other nitrogen-rich material because wildflowers do best in soil that is low in nutrients.
Photo: © Can Stock Photo / wellphoto
Long-Term Planning
The first years after planting are critical to ensure that native grasses become well-established and weeds do not take over. A full season of site preparation is necessary for success because young wildflower seedlings stay small and low to the ground during the first year and cannot compete against more vigorous weeds. These initial seasons require carefully timed mowing to prevent the weeds from developing seed heads, while allowing grasses to flourish. Weeds grow more quickly than native grasses and wildflowers, so regular, high (4- to 6-inch) mowing will keep the weeds from flowering, while allowing grasses to grow and mature.
Maintenance needs will depend on how well the site is prepared before a meadow is planted, and on what types of invasive weed seeds are in the soil, or those that can be easily carried to the site from adjacent areas. A long-term plan is important for keeping turf grasses out of a meadow. Most grasses cannot be stopped by a simple mulched buffer zone. Use mowing patterns to direct any side-cast clippings away from meadow areas to prevent any unwanted seeds from blowing back into the area where you are trying to eliminate turf.
After planting has become established and covered all exposed ground, maintenance requirements will be substantially reduced. The deep roots of native plants, in particular, help minimize the establishment and growth of weedy species. Long-term maintenance involves simulating natural disturbance to keep woody species from moving in and turning a meadow into a woodland. Therefore, crews will need to continue mowing areas at least two to three times throughout a growing season.
Communicating With The Community
Just because crews agree with native-landscape creation does not mean the municipal government or neighboring households will support the project. Some citizens may have objections based upon the perception of a “sloppy” appearance, fear of insects, or wildlife infestation. It is important to work with the entire community in order to avoid roadblocks. Contact local conservation groups, scout groups, school districts, and other organizations to ensure all concerned stakeholders are informed of the project. Once the community understands the significant social and ecological benefits of a meadow, citizens are more likely to be supportive.
Educational signage can improve public perceptions during each phase of the project. Engage the community in the monitoring process by using social media to generate user-driven content, and to capture positive testimonials. Keep written notes, photos, and numerical data to record what has been done. This information can be useful to demonstrate progress, nullify potential opposition, and promote fund-raising for future projects.
Natural landscapes need not be confined to state parks, conservation areas, and nature reserves. Restoring ecological communities to settled landscapes can provide vital connections among remnant natural areas and provide social and economic benefits. Opportunities for natural landscapes exist everywhere, including in local community parks, along highway shoulders, and in various open spaces that are currently viewed as maintenance challenges. Properly established meadows and pollinator gardens provide low-maintenance, high-biodiversity habitats that add beauty and value to communities. Properly planned naturalization projects will help restore the health of public spaces and bring back some of the rich diversity to neighborhoods. Cultivating these changes in community landscapes can involve everyone, offering both fun and educational experiences for all citizens.
Brian “BK” Koehler is the director of the Pennsylvania Park Maintenance Institute. He holds degrees in educational theory and production experience in corporate training and development. Reach him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/koehlerbrian/ or bk@prps.org. For additional information, visit www.prps.org/maintenanceinstitute.