Final preparation of the seed mixtures occurred the evening before planting. The cold-wet and cold-dry stratified seed were brought out of the refrigerator and warmed to room temperature. All the dry seed was mixed together into the specified mixes. Bulk collected seed and screenings were also mixed. The grass seeds were kept separate until the final mix was prepared.
On the morning of planting (June 5, 2004) all the seed was mixed
with sawdust as a carrier to bulk-up the mix for spreading. Eight plus
cubic yards of sawdust, approximately one cubic yard per acre to be seeded,
was delivered and piled in the driveway. I roughly divided the pile into
eights and the sawdust for each mixture (1-1.5 cubic yards depending on
the area to be covered) was spread out onto a 12-16’ plastic tarp.
For each acre to be seeded the seed mix was divided in half and spread
evenly over the sawdust. First, the dry seed was mixed with the wet stratified
seed and spread on the sawdust. Then the grasses were mixed and spread,
and finally the bulk seed heads and cleanings were added. All of this
was raked into the sawdust. Next the tarp was pulled over on itself 3-4
times to “roll” and thoroughly mix the sawdust/seed mixture.
The seed-sawdust mixture was loaded into 5 gal buckets (ca. 30 per acre)
and transported to the field.
Preparing to mix seed (above)
Adding seed to sawdust (right)
Raking seed into sawdust (above)
Rolling sawdust and seed to mix (right)
Mixed and ready to sow (above)
Meg the" prairie dog" oversees loading the buckets (right)
