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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKECHTER FARM MIXED-USE TOWNHOMES - PDP210006 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION land planning  landscape architecture  urban design  entitlement Thinking outsi de of the box for over two decades. 419 Canyon Ave. Suite 200  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com Kechter Farm Native Seed Areas A walk was done on 8/10/16 to assess the condition of the native grass areas. It should be noted that native grass areas typically take 3-4 years to fully establish with proper irrigation and maintenance. Many areas are on track with expectations. However, there are several problematic areas that are not growing properly and that have excessive weeds. IRRIGATION A lack of irrigation is the most likely problem for areas that are dry and barren. It is recommended to first do an irrigation audit to ensure proper irrigation and identify areas that are lacking proper coverage. Irrigation should then be adjusted accordingly. Newly seeded areas will require water for adequate germination. Watering is generally unnecessary until May or June following early spring seeding, but supplemental water should be provided if natural precipitation is insufficient to establish soil moisture (outlined below in Duration column). Too much water can be as detrimental to native grass est ablishment as insufficient moisture. Monitor irrigation in conjunction with natural precipitation and make necessary adjustments to prevent oversaturation for prolong periods. WEEKS AFTER SEEDING FREQUENCY DURATION TIMING DURING FIRST MONTH, OR UNTIL GERMINATION 2 TIMES PER DAY 15 MINUTE OR UNTIL SOIL IS MOIST TO 1 INCH DEPTH 10 AM & 10 PM (TO PROVIDE EXTENDED SOIL MOISTURE AT NIGHT) 4-6 WEEKS 2 TIMES PER WEEK 20 MINUTES OR UNTIL SOIL IS MOIST TO 2 INCH DEPTH 10 PM (AFTER EVENING WINDS SUBSIDE) 7-10 WEEKS 1 TIME PER WEEK 30 MINUTES OR UNTIL SOIL IS MOIST TO 3 INCH DEPTH 10 PM (AFTER EVENING WINDS SUBSIDE) 11 WEEKS TO LATE SEPTEMBER EVERY OTHER WEEK 30 MINUTES OR UNTIL SOIL IS MOIST TO 3 INCH DEPTH 10 PM (AFTER EVENING WINDS SUBSIDE) Thinking ou tside of the box for over two decades. 419 Canyon Ave., Suite 200  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com Example of a dry area with grasses growing all around it OVERSEEDING Areas that are receiving proper irrigation but where grasses are not growing should be overseeded with the Pawnee Buttes seed mix below. The mix specifies a rate of 25lbs/acre (1/2 lb/1000 sf), but the drill rate of 1lb/1000 sf will be better to overcome slow germination. Again, it’s going to be necessary for the contractor to seed with a no-till drill –a device that cuts a micro trench through the stubble, deposits the seed, then repacks the surfac e. Hand broadcasting can work but the seed needs to be applied double the rate, raked in and packed so the seed has hard contact; this is hard to do and preserve the existing grasses. Seed mix: Location: Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc. PO Box 100 605 25th Street Greeley, CO. 80632 (970) 356-7002 Thinking ou tside of the box for over two decades. 419 Canyon Ave., Suite 200  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com PBSI Foothills Native Mix (5%) Indian Ricegrass (5%) Little Bluestem (5%) Blue Grama (10%) Switchgrass (10%) Rocky Mountain Fescue (5%) Sideoats Grama (5%) Beardless Wheatgrass (10%) Big Bluestem (10%) Sandberg Bluegrass (10%) Slender Wheatgrass (10%) Thickspike/Streambank/Western Wheatgrass (5%) Sand Dropseed (10%) Yellow Indiangrass MAINTENANCE Many areas appear to be mowed several inches too low (8” is what is specified). Refer to landscape specifications for maintenance, especially section 3.5. Annual weeds should be mowed when they exceed 12 inches in height. Collect dense accumulations of weeds to prevent smothering the desired vegetation. During years receiving normal rainfall, mowing will be required at minimum at least twice (May and late August); and more frequently in wet years or in conjunction with heavy irrigation. Thinking ou tside of the box for over two decades. 419 Canyon Ave., Suite 200  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com WEEDS It’s ok/beneficial to spray areas that are season 2 established (areas in Phase 1A), and that won’t need overseeding. Avoid spraying areas that are in first season of growth (Phase 1B) and areas that will need overseeding this fall, since typical herbicides will have two months of residual effects and hinder fall overseeding germination. Phase 1A areas and reseeded areas should be mowed aggressively to keep weeds under control. Refer to mowing and maintenance instructions in the landscape specifications. If overseeded areas are able to germinate this fall from (without chemical residual affects) and get some growth in the spring, they will be better suited for chemical control early summer. Example of area in Phase 1A in need of chemical control of weeds Daman Holland, ASLA, RLA land planning/ landscape architecture RIPLEY DESIGN, INC. 419 Canyon Avenue, Suite 200 Fort Collins, CO 80521 office: 970.224.5828, ext. 146 direct: 970.498.2981 fax. 970.224.1662 daman.holland@ripleydesigninc.com