last tier. Earlier planting will result in burial and loss of many transplants. An irrigation 

 system to thoroughly moisten the planting surface is essential, and may require 2 or 3 days 

 of successive preplanting irrigation. Since dry -sand drifts form quickly, it is not sufficient to 

 rely on a soaking rain. All planting can easily be done by hand with two-man crews. Plants 

 should be spaced on 2-foot centers, or as close as 1.5 feet. A mixed planting of bitter 

 panicum and sea oats (ratio of 3 or 4 to 1) is recommended. Time of planting should be late 

 winter to spring. The mid-winter climate is more suitable for extensive hand labor, but 

 spring-planted culms begin growth more quickly. Immediately after planting, mulch-netting 

 must be placed over the plants and secured to the ground with staples. The netting should 

 be stretched tightly over the tops of the plants, so that it bends the exposed culm. Due to 

 the exposed culms, the netting will not touch the soil in all places; however, it will function 

 to reduce or eliminate wind erosion. No planted areas should be left unmulched since wind 

 erosion and plant excavation will be locally severe. The netting should be continuous from 

 the foreslope to the backslope. If mulched, the major deterrent to survival will be burial of 

 backslope transplants by sand drifts originating from the beach. If the initial planting is not 

 entirely successful, it will be necessary to replant and remulch the barren sections; this can 

 be done in late spring, early summer, or the following winter. 



Irrigation after planting may be useful during droughts and hot weather, since the 

 elevated dune surface dries rapidly. With normal rainfall (2 or more inches per month) it is 

 not necessary to irrigate after planting. During droughts, irrigate often enough to keep the 

 subsurface sand moist (3 to 4 inches). Drying of the surface layer is not critical as long as 

 the underlying sand is at field capacity. During winter, irrigation twice a month for 1 or 2 

 days should be sufficient. During spring or summer, more frequent irrigation may be 

 needed. 



The planting should be fertilized in the same manner as beach plantings. The irrigation 

 system can be used to soak in the nutrients. Otherwise, apply the subsequent treatment 

 after a heavy rain. Fertilization is needed only the first year to ensure uniform cover 

 (Sec. V, 4c, 4f, 4k, 4m, 5a, 5b). 



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