Lead by Dr. Rachel Mitchell, University of Arizona School of Natural Resources and the Environment.
We are conducting a series of soil amendment tests in these small gardens to better understand what techniques work best in fixing old golf greens. In order to support turf, the sand was brought in to facilitate fast drainage of water and fertilizer. Our native desert needs slower drainage and more nutrients in the soil in order to grow, so we are trying a variety of techniques!
- All gardens are pitted. Research across the Southwest has shown that small depressions in the soil can enhance sprouting and growth of native seeds! One of our gardens has only received a pitting treatment, and no further amendments.
- One garden has been treated has both pits and compost added to the pits. This compost can help retain moisture and release nutrients, further benefiting seeds located in pits.
- One garden has received compost (Tank’s Green Stuff ), which has been worked about 10 inches into the soil. The garden was then pitted to enhance sprouting.
- The final garden received a mixture of wood-chips and fertilizer, worked about 10 inches down into the soil. The garden was then pitted to enhance sprouting.
All seeding was done using seedballs. Seedballs help protect seeds when conditions aren’t right for germination, and provide moisture and nutrients when precipitation finally arrives.
Our hope is that we can find a set of amendments that enhance native plant establishment and facilitate the restoration of the greens throughout Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve!
Have you seen anything germinating and growing? Snap a picture and send it to rachelmm@arizona.edu!
Trait-Based Ecology at The University of Arizona 