wildlife and watershed friendly residential landscape

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 dickeyj@fishers.in.us

Gary PruittFishers Parks Directorpruittg@fishers.in.us 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