| It can be difficult to establish pollinator habitats via various NRCS conservation practices (e.g. conservation cover, contour buffer strips, field border, filter strip). The most significant challenge appears to be seedbed preparation and subsequent planting. The most frequent challenge with the seedbed is the weed seed bank. Weeds often germinate and grow faster than the desired plant species and challenge the early establishment of those plants. Additionally, plant mixes that benefit pollinators often contain seeds of widely varying size and shape. Thus, if the plant mix is planted using only one planting method (e.g. drill, broadcast, etc.), then certain species/types will benefit, while others suffer.
The USDA NRCS Norman A. Berg National Plant Materials Center, Beltsville, MD (MDPMC) pollinator buffer establishment project aims to address seedbed preparation and planting method to identify methods to improve establishment of a diverse pollinator habitat.
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North Carolina Small Farm Association 