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This briefing documents the transition of my property into a demonstration site for ecologically friendly landscape practices.
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Wildlife and Watershed Friendly
Residential Landscapefor Central Indiana
Demonstration Property
Prepared for and with Guidance byHamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Prepared byMatthew Newell
http://wildlifeandwatershedfriendly.weebly.com/May 29, 2010
DRAFT 4
ThanksLead Advisor: Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, Shaena Reinhart
AdvisorsHamilton County Urban Conservation Association, Dan McCordIndiana Museum of Art Nursery, Sue NordMyrene’s Garden, Myrene BrownPurdue Dept of Entomology, Dr. Jodi Ellis Purdue Master Gardener Program, Steve MayerThe Wild Ones, Janet and Mimi
Books and Web ResourcesGaia’s Garden, An Guide to Home-Scale to Permaculture, by Toby HemenwayHarvard Soils Project Indiana Department of Natural Resources Tree ProgramIndiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (INPAWS)National Wildlife Federation Certified Backyard Wildlife ProgramSafelawns .orgSoilFoodWeb.comThe Vegetable Gardener’s Bible, by Edward Smith
Why?
Wildlife FriendlyWildlife and wildlife habitat provide aesthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to a Nation and its people*
Makes home more attractive and enjoyable
Watershed FriendlyImproves water quality of our rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and oceans+
*This language taken from the preamble of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
+Indiana is a top 8 contributor of nutrients that feed the “dead zone” algae bloom in the Gulf of Mexico. (Source: USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program)
Demonstration Property Overview
• Single Family Residence, Subdivision in Fishers, Indiana• 1.75 acre lot• Mostly Wooded, 90% Green Ash Trees*• Mostly Grass• No in-ground irrigation
Soil CharacteristicsProperty Description About
Physical Clay Loam Clay loam soils hold water and are high in nutrients.
Chemical 7.5 pH A little high (alkaline) for most plants.
Biological 4.1% Organic Matter
Additional organic matter would benefit plants and neutralize soil pH.
* Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) detected approximately 5 miles from property. Once an ash tree is infested with EAB, it will die in 1 to 3 years.
The Site
North
Ash Trees
Objective
House
Objective About
Family Friendly Need multiple outdoor options for an active family
Watershed Friendly Minimize water and nutrient runoff
Wildlife Friendly Attract and coexist with wildlife
Visually Appealing Curb appeal and ample visual interest throughout property
Mostly Native Species Wildlife benefit, ease of maintenance, habitat restoration
Low Maintenance Minimize need for labor and materials (fertilizers, mulch, water, pesticides, herbicides, equipment)
Mostly Organic Minimize use of synthetic chemicals
Ash Tree Mitigation Minimize cost of ash removal and replacement,preserve a wooded look
Projects vs. Objectives
*Soil animals
Rain Gardens
RG
RG
A rain garden is a depression in your property designed to catch rainwater. Planted with native species, rain gardens absorb water and remove nutrients that damage our watershed.
Properly built rain gardens drain in 24-48 hours. They are not ponds or swamps and do not attract mosquitoes.
The Sites
•Very shady
•Three downspouts drain into each rain garden
Rain Garden Site #1
Rain Gardens
Process Photos
Rain Garden Site #2
Rain Garden 2 final
Rain Gardens: Species ListName Type Origin Bloom Height Exposure Moisture
Palm SedgeCarex muskingumensis
Sedge Native n/a 1’ Semi-shade Wet
Burr SedgeCarex grayi
Sedge Native May seedpod
1’ Semi-shade Wet
Cardinal FlowerLobelia cardinalis
Flower Native Aug-Sept 2 ’- 3’ Semi-shade Wet
Blue Flag Iris Iris virginica shrevei
Flower Native Blue 2 ’- 3’ Semi-shade Wet
SpicebushLindera benzoin
Shrub Native Green/Yellow
6’ - 12’ Semi-shade Wet
Bottlebrush BuckeyeAesculus parviflora
Shrub Semi-Native
Tubular White
6’ - 12’ Semi-shade Well drained*
FothergillaFotherfilla gardenii
Shrub Semi-Native
White Spikes
3’ Semi-shade Well drained*
Low Grow Sumac Rhus aromatica
Shrub Cultivar Yellow flwr, Red berries
1’ - 2’ Semi-shade Well drained*
* These plants should not be in the rain garden bowl.
Native Trees & Shrubs
Native T & SLow maintenance, hardy, benefit wildlife
Native Trees from Department of Natural Resources “Wildlife Pack”
Ash Tree Mitigation: PLANT SMALL NOW •Reduce material, transport, and labor costs
•Do not wait until infestation
Native T &
S
Native Trees and Shrubs
DNR Seedlings
Trees and shrubs
Process Photos
Native Trees: Species List
NameMature
Light Soil AboutHt Yrs
Washington HawthorneCrataegus phaenopyrum
15’-30’ 5 Full sun Well drained
Excellent cover and winter food for wildlife/thorns protect nests
Flowering Crabapple
15’ - 40’ 5 Full sun Well drained
Large crop of small fruit that persists into winter providing food and cover for wildlife
PersimmonDiospyros virginiana
30’ - 70’ 30 Full sun Well drained /
Wet
Can be used for human consumption
White PinePinus strobus
50’ - 100’ 40 Full sun Well drained
Fast growing windbreaks, wildlife food and cover
Shagbark HickoryCarya ovata
50’ - 100’ 50 Full sun/Part shade
Well drained /
Wet
Nesting site for bats (they hang between the trunk and shaggy bark)
Black CherryPrunus serotina
50’ - 100’ 50 Full sun Well drained
Host plant for many types of Lepidoptera (butterflies/moths)
Native Shrubs: Species List
NameMature
Light Soil AboutHt. Yrs
Silky DogwoodCornus amomum
5’- 10’ 3 Partial shade
Well drained /
Wet
Wildlife cover and summer food, will grow at waters edge.
HazlenutCorylus americana
5’ - 10’ 3 Full sun Well drained
Wildlife food and cover
Gray DogwoodCornus racemosa
5’- 10’ 15 Full sun Well drained
Clusters of white flowers in spring and white fruit in fall. Important food and cover for wildlife.
Black ChokeberryAronia melanocarpa
5’ - 13’ 3 Full sun Dry to Moist
Wildlife food and cover
Common ChokeberryPrunus virginiana
15’ - 20’
5 Full sun / Partial shade
Moist Wildlife food and cover
American PlumPrunus americana
15’ - 30’
10 Full sun Well drained /
Moist
Abundant white flowers in spring and small edible plums in summer.
PawpawAsimina triloba
10’ - 30’
5 Full sun / Partial shade
Well drained /
Moist
Valuable wildlife food
Native Vines, Flowers & Groundcovers: Species List
NameMature
Light Soil AboutHt. Yrs
Wild GingerAsarum canadense
5” 1 Shady Moist Heart shaped glossy lustrous leaves that cover the ground.
Prairie
Native prairies are a valuable food source for beneficial birds and insects.
The Site
•Full sun
•No irrigation
•Secret garden inside prairie for the kids
•Near vegetable garden for biological pest control
•Bed prep: newspaper and compost
Prairie
Prairie
Trees and shrubs
Process Photos
Prairie: Species ListName Type Origin Bloom Height Exposure Moisture
Little BluestemSchizachrium scoparium
Grass Native n/a 2’-3’ Full sun Drained
Prairie DropseedSporobolus heterolepis
Grass Native n/a 1’ -2’ Full sun Drained
Purple ConeflowerEchinacea purpurea
Flower Native Purple 2’-3’ Full sun Drained
Sweet Black Eyed SusanRudbeckia subtomentosa
Flower Native Yellow 1’-3’ Full sun Drained
Showy GoldenrodSolidago speciosa
Flower Native Yellow 1’-3’ Full sun Drained
Rattlesnake MasterEryngium yuccifolium
Grass Native White/ Green Balls
2’ - 5’ Full sun Drained
Garden
The Site
•Located on site of invasive Asian Honeysuckle Bush (removed March 2010)
•Beds: decomposed leaves newspaper compost
•Paths:cardboardstraw
Vegetable Garden
Vegetable Garden
Trees and shrubs
Process Photos
Compost
Builds soil, reduces waste, and minimizes need for additional soil amendments
•Recycled shipping pallets
•Rain Barrel for compost tea
Compost Station
Compost Station
Organic lawncare does not harm the soil animals that improve our soil. Less fertilizer runoff means less impact to our watershed.*
Everywhere•Compost Tea Monthly Application
Front•Fall: Scotts Organic•Spring: Corn Gluten
High Traffic / High Visibility•Aeration •Compost top dressing
Organic Lawn-Care
*EPA estimates as little of 35% of lawn fertilizer is used by the lawn. The rest vaporizes or leaches into the watershed.
Organic Lawn-care
Organic Lawn-Care: Did it Work?
Don’t expect a monoculture Expect worms and birds and moles
Corn Gluten•Acceptable fertilizer & pre-emergent•Does not suppress established perennial weeds•Costs more per square foot to apply than synthetics but applied less often
Compost Tea•Seems like it works. Too early to tell.
Compost Top Dressing•Works great. Labor intensive
HerbicidesAfter initial dandelion outbreak, spot sprayed with the selective herbicide 2,4-D (Weed Be Gone)
Dandelions can be a sign of soil compaction and high pH.
Organic Lawn-Care
Cant stop dandelions!
Insert final photos
Done: May 14, 2010
Backup Materials
1. Emerald Ash Borer Introduction
2. Compost Tea Recipe
3. Animal Repellant Recipes
4. Pesticide Applications
5. Schedule
Emerald Ash Borer Infestation-Likely 100% Die Off of all untreated Ash Trees in Hamilton and Marion County (but when?) -1 in 6 of all trees in Indiana are ash trees
Balcha Wasp:non-native predator of
Emerald Ash Borer
Background
• Exotic beetle discovered in Michigan in 2002• North American ash trees are defenseless• Tens of millions of trees already dead• USDA quarantines in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri,
Ohio, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
DO NOT MOVE FIREWOOD!
Community Impact• Property values• Loss of mature tree canopy• Homeowner mitigation costs• Problem Areas: wooded lots, unsold lots, wooded common areas,
lots adjacent to parkland
Ash is not good standing dead. Dries out quickly, gets brittle, limbs fall, high potential for property damage.
Mitigation Options
Item Description CostWill it Work?
Comments
PreventionDo not move firewood more than 1/2 mile
Low NoIts the law!Will slow, but not stop infestation
BiologicalRelease of natural predators (Bacha wasp) in ash forests.
Huge MaybeWorks in small areas
Chemical
3 year Injection: Emaectin benzoate
1 year soil drench: Imidacloprid
$20-$80 per tree per year
Yes
Requires preventative and then continuous treatment
Imidacloprid may not be good for bees
Removal Selectively remove weaker specimens
Varies NoHealthy ash trees are equally susceptible
ReplacementReplant areas with a diverse set of pest and disease resistant trees
Low (seedling)
High (mature)
Yes
Avoid monocultures
HomeownerIdentify ash trees on your propertyAssess condition Determine if they are worth saving (chemical)Budget for treatment, removal and replacement
Replacement considerations– Diversify your trees– Replant smaller trees near ash as understory plantings. They will look good by the time your ash is dead
and needs removal.
Homeowner’s CommunityAssess: Are there any ash in common areas? Unbuilt lots? Surrounding Area Awareness & Mitigation: Engage city & adjacent subdivisions &
homes for action
Recommendations
Jodi Ellis Exotic Insect Education CoordinatorPurdue Entomology765 494 0822
Pam LouksUrban Forestry DivisionIndiana Department of Natural Resources317 591 1170
Jodi DickeyFishers Senior PlannerFishers City Hall595 3429 [email protected]
Gary PruittFishers Parks [email protected] Keep Indianapolis Beautiful264 7555
References
General Informationhttp://www.emeraldashborer.info/Purdue Universitywww.entm.purdue.edu/eabIndiana State NurseriesPlant Bundles (50 to 100) $35.00www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/3620.htm Chemical OptionsIf smaller than 40” diameter, soil drench ($20/tree/year)If greater than 40” diameter, injection ($80/tree/year)products are: tree-age (Emaectin Benzoate)(3 year effective), Imidacloprid (1 year soil drench)
Imidacloprid Effects on Bee Population
Pesticide Applications
Glyphosate (Roundup)Applied 4 ounces of concentrate as of May 15, 2010
• Poison Ivy• Some bed preparation
2,4-D (Weed be Gone) Applied 3 ounces of concentrate as of May 15, 2010
• Dandelions
Organic Lawn-Care: Compost Tea Recipe
1. Make some compost2. Scoop a few pounds of compost into a sock3. Add into a full rain barrel:
a. Compost sockb. Molassesc. Fish Emulsion Fertilizerd. Seaweed Fertilizere. Vegetable Oil
4. Aerate with an aquarium bubbler for 24 hours5. Distribute onto lawn, shrubs, and vegetables
(via utility pump & hose)
Repeat every month of the growing season
Source: Harvard Soils Project
Source: Hamilton County Master Gardeners
Herbivore Repellants Recipes (Deer, Rabbits, Squirrels, Chipmunks)
Kim’s Milk and Egg Spray1 cup water 1 cup milk2 eggs 2 tps dish soapLiquefy in the blender for a few minutes
Nancy’s Granular Fertilizer SpreadMix 40 lbs of MilOragnite with 8 oz garlic powderBroadcast on ground under plants. Repeat every 3 to 4 weeks
Jeanette’s Hot Sauce Mix1 part Hot Sauce 1 part Wiltproof 10 parts waterMix and spray
Granular Mix for Omnivores (Raccoons, Possums, Groundhogs, Skunks)
Ground Cayenne – 90,000 Heat Units and Powdered Garlic. Mix together and sprinkle on ground around plants as a deterrent. Do not sprinkle directly on plants.
Animal Repellant
Applied Kim’s to vegetable garden 5/17/10
Schedule
Jan 2010 June 2010
Master Gardener Training
• HCSWCD Wildlife Seminar
• HCSWCD Site Survey
• DNR Ash Tree Evaluation
Planning
ExecutionMaintenance
• Design Consultant: Myrene Brown
• Wildflower Consultant: Dan McCord
• Native Plant Consultant: Wild Ones