Miscanthus sinensis Silberfeder

6'after 3 short Taos growing seasons

An ornamental grass nursery

After two growing seasons (2006,2007), we were able to divide and transplant grasses to other locations as the experiment expanded to over .5 acre. Some 50 odd grasses were divided/moved. already planning for Spring 2009 dividing and transplanting.

Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster divided into 5 1-gallon plants each. A great architectural grass for this area -- with supplemental drip irrigation it is green from early Spring well into the Fall and has an extraordinary winter presence.

After early Spring division (April aqui en Taos), here is one example of a new OG patch accompanied by the hardy geranium ground cover "Rosanne".

After three growings seasons

Ornamental grasses are flourishing, visually transforming landscape and regenerating the soil.
Before

After

Ornamental Grasses Update end of May

Many of the clumps have not shown signs of life as yet. First to show new growth have been Miscantus sinensis "autumn light" and "giganteus".

Daytime temperatures are warming to the high 70s and low 80s. Drip irrigation is functioning. We are being subject to high dry winds and no precipitation. Looks like more water may be called for until grasses become established. Going with twice a week deep watering for 4 hours with .5 gallon emitters spaced every eighteen inches. At this rate a large moist ovoid is created below the surface and there isno runnoff or muddying of the adobe soil.

Triticale

Triticale in arroyette, Fall seeded.

Bur Oak/Golden Banner Failed

Bur Oak died back to the ground. Most likely it was overwatered and never recovered.

Spring Planting of Ornamental Grasses

Ordered 6 varieties of grass from KurtBluemel.com, a major nursery specializing in ornamental grasses. 175 field clumps were planted with assistance. Cold hardy varieties were chosen -- Zones 3-5 with emphasis on those that do well in heavy clay soils. All are warm season grasses.

Miscanthus sinensis Adagio
Miscanthus sinensis Gracillimus
Miscanthus sinensis Giganteus
Miscanthus sinensis Silberfeder
Miscanthus Purpurescens
Panicum vigatum Cloud Nine

Disappointed with the field clumps we received. Hardly clumps, most were a few roots and about quarter of the total actual clumped. Now awaiting warmer soil temperatures -- over 75F.

Fall cover crop failure

Looks like I planted the cover crop too late or incorrectly. Nothing growing.

Karl Foerster mid-winter

Calamagrostis x acutiflora Karl Foerster ornamental grass looking good mid-winter.

Fall cover crop

A surprising amount of late summer buckwheat survived the rabbits and low fertility of the adobe soil.

Last week, after weed whacking the buckwheat, I broadcast 3lbs. Triticale Trios and 3 lbs. Common Vetch into arroyotitos. Timing was great -- had a 24 hour rain. Will have to rake/stomp seed since arroyos filled with rain water. My MS limits the amount energy I can expend so I rely on nature and overseeding. Will see how this experiment fares.

Ornamental Grasses

Exploring ornamental grasses for Spring planting. Ornamental grasses look promising for improving soil structure, erosion control, and aesthetics. Our water regime -- capturing runoff in the relatively self-contained arroyos supplement by drip irrigation, and partial protection from the dessicating winds from the SW, suggests that these grasses might do well amidst the Big Sage country which surrounds us.

The bones of the plan continues to evolve.

+Seeding Little Bluestem for outer bank erosion control.
+Miscanthus sinenis Morning Light for wetter East side outer bank.
+Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster for South side arroy which also receives roof runoff.
+ Sorghastrum nutans for seeding in the arroyos. Later planting of Miscanthus sinensis Purpurascens for arroyo highlights.
+Muhlenbergia rigens for wind-exposed North side outer bank.
+Seeding Nasella tenusssima and Sporobolus heterolepis for inner banks and erosion control.
+Panicum vergatum Heavy Metal -- somewhere.

Strategy for soil building evolves

Rabbit control costs are too high for buckwheat/white clover cover cropping.

Will probably try triticale for Fall planting. Some research in UK suggested that it may be more rabbit resistant. Worth a shot.

Arroyos after .58 inches Aug 4

Arroyos functioning well after monsoon rain.


Nside 


EsideWhiteClover 


Wside 


Adobe 

White Clover @ 5 wks

Score: FarmerJohn 1 Rabbits 1 

Rabbit repellent

Sprayed on rabbit repellent--Bobbex--a high priced mixture of garlic and blood. After a couple of weeks and light rain, rabbbits have left baby clover alone and some isolated buckwheat that germinated later is still around as well. Encouraged but expect that the salad bar is not yet closed.

"Buttwheat"

Planted a section of the arroyo bank with buckwheat or more fondly "buttwheat." It's germinated in 3 days with sprinkling 3 or 4 times a day. Days have been mid-80's, light wind, but very hot sun. Using the buttwheat to pre-empt generations of weed seeds in the recently disturbed ground around a new casita. In addition we're hoping for some soil stabilization on the edge of the ditch and till under the buckwheat at a green manure.

Clover germination

first clover germination July2 

Began sowing white clover in arroyettes this week using an 8:1 mix sand:seed with some binder . Moistened seed bed 3-4 times a day. We're having temperatures in the mid 80's. By week's end, clover had surface germinated by the book -- 3-4 days with summer temperatures. Exciting to be working with seeds.

Golden Banner with Bur Oak

Thermopsis Montana: Golden Banner 

Searching for a companion plant to the Bur Oak seedling, Allan Mullens of Plants of the Southwest, recommended planting Golden Banner,a nitrogen fixer. Tonight, Linda scraped the seeds and will soak them in hot water overnight.


July 31. Experiment did not work. Seeds did not germinate. Keeping seedbed moist for germination almost killed the Bur Oak. Fortunately, BurOak gave us a second chance and it budding on all branches. Only deep drip watering with a 2 week dryout from now on.

The Site: Our Mini-Arroyos

looking south


looking north


looking west



In June 2005, we had Bobcat dig about 250' of mini-arroyos for drainage and as a landscaping feature. Large adobe clods removed on to banks and arroyettes were raked.