SEPTEMBER 2017 SEEDWORLD.COM / 21 TIP Seed Selection and Site Establishment The next stage of the process involves working with a supplier to choose an appropriate mix of seeds, and then cor- rectly preparing the site. At a minimum, this process should be started more than a month before the estimated planting date of the site, which is ideally in the fall of the year, at least in some areas on the country. “In the mid-south, these types of seeds germinate best in the spring if we get them planted in the fall,” Huggins says. For example, for a Nov. 1 planting date, Huggins suggests preparing the site by the first week of October. “We recommend a double herbicide burn down. We spray the site with glypho- sate, and then wait a couple of weeks for it to re-germinate, and then we spray the site again and wait another couple of weeks,” Huggins says. Meanwhile, in the Midwest, Foresman says they had the best luck with a herbi- cide application in the fall and then letting it grow back over the winter. He suggests a second herbicide application in the spring, followed by a double tilling process a couple of weeks apart to eliminate any late emerging weeds. However, Huggins prefers a no-till method in his area of the country. “I recommend not doing any till- age when the site is planted in the fall,” Huggins says. “In my experience, weed pressure is our biggest limiting factor, and that helps eliminate a lot of the weed issues. “If you till that ground, those weed seeds will germinate and out compete the wildflowers you’re trying to establish.” Foresman also recommends doing a soil test before planting, and adding any necessary amendments. Site Maintenance The first couple of years are the hardest. “The first two years are critical, but as the site gets more mature, the long-term maintenance decreases,” Huggins says. Weeds remain the biggest concern throughout this process. “Farmers don’t like to see weeds any- where near their fields because of how fast they can creep in and take over, so we have to work to keep those problem plants out of our plots,” he adds. Once a site is established, there are no reseeding costs, so the only additional investment is the labor and minimal her- bicide required to keep the weeds under control. Foresman agrees that maintenance will decrease as the plots mature. “We had a lot of ragweed and foxtail come up in our plot,” he says. “The foxtail is easier to get rid of because the pollina- tor-friendly perennials are broadleaves, so a grass killer will selectively remove unwanted grass.” However, ragweed has to be carefully spot sprayed or pulled by hand. Another helpful technique is to mow around the perimeter of the plots to keep encroachment down. “You can manage the weeds up to 90 percent simply by properly prepar- ing the plot before you plant,” Foresman says. “You can’t just go out and work the ground once and plant the pollinator seeds and expect success.” Huggins and Foresman agree the best approach is to prepare the ground in September or October, and then either planting in the fall or spring, depending on winter conditions in a given area. Worth the Wait The last thing Huggins recommends farmers have before they start work on a pollinator plot is patience. “It takes time and effort to establish a pollinator plot,” he says. “It may not look great the first year, so they have to push past that ‘ugly’ phase.” Some farmers, he says, are tempted to mow it and give up that first spring. Foresman agrees but says the benefits are well worth the wait. “We made some mistakes, but we’ve learned a lot,” says Foresman, noting that he doesn’t exactly consider his plots a success yet. But he believes they’re on track to be great. “Honestly, I’m not sure why we didn’t do this sooner,” he says. Foresman sees a number of benefits in establishing a pollinator plot, from the environmental impacts to the future of the agricultural community as a whole. “I’ve seen these projects really catch the attention of the younger generations,” he says. “It’s a fun challenge, and it’s interesting, and they will start to see the long-term benefits of their efforts. “My grandkids have been inspired to get involved with agriculture in a new way and hopefully will even consider it as a lifelong journey. Any investment you put into establishing these plots will be well worth it.” SW It’simperativethatasanindustrywetakeaproactiveapproachinprotecting pollinators.operationpollinator.com In partnership with his family, Chuck Foresman is working to establish a pollinator plot on their central Illinois farm.