can be used to speed establishment of new plantings and to maintain growth and vigor in sand-starved
areas.
Saltmeadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens). This plant is more commonly used in marsh plantings
(see prior discussion), but it will frequently invade a beach area and create small dunes which will
support other vegetation. It is particularly well suited for this use on low, moist sites where periodic salt
buildup occurs.
Plants should be set 6 to 8 inches deep to stay in the moist zone. For dune stabilizing plantings,
the optimum time is late winter and spring; however early summer is adequate for transplanting
providing sufficient moisture is available. vigorous, multi-stemmed transplants from uncrowded nursery
stands are recommended. With vigorous plants, adequate nutrients, and favorable moisture, saltmeadow
cordgrass can be planted 16 to 24 inches apart in a single species planting. The transplants will usually
benefit from a total of 90 to 135 pounds of nitrogen per acre applied over two to three applications during
the first year. Subsequent fertilization should deliver similar amounts of nitrogen in single applications
over the following two or three years.
Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon). Although this is not a prominent dune species, it can be
used very effectively in special situations. The coastal hybrid is deep rooting and rapidly establishing
and can be used to revegetate areas where American Beachgrass has been killed by insects or disease.
Turf hybrids will, when properly managed, perform well on the dune environment where they form a
more traffic resistant stand than other types of vegetation.
Sprigs of Bermuda grass, spaced 18 to 24 inches apart, should adequately stabilize the dune once
established. For turf development, a spacing of 12 inches should be used. Sprigs may be planted from
early spring to the beginning of summer where adequate moisture is available. Sprinkling the sprigs
during dry spells will help to assure the survival of the plants. Bermuda grass requires more nutrients
than other dune grasses. As soon as new growth begins in the spring, 30 to 45 pounds of nitrogen per
acre should be applied every 4 weeks until the end of summer. Traffic resistant turf can be developed by
applying 450 to 900 pounds per acre of 10-10-10 formula fertilizer in the early spring and supplementing
that with 45 to 70 pounds of nitrogen per acre every four weeks through the summer.
Gulf Region
The region extends from the gulf coast of Florida to the Mexican border. Sea oats and bitter
panicum are the dominant dune stabilizing species. other species include railroad vine and saltmeadow
cordgrass. Establishment of sea oats, bitter panicum, and saltmeadow cordgrass should follow prior
recommendations. Local variations exist, and the landowner should consult local agricultural extension
agents and others about differences in technique and management of plantings of these species.
Railroad vine (Ipomea pes-caprae). This plant is one of the more prominent pioneer species in
this region. It is not generally planted because it is somewhat less effective in trapping sand than dune
grasses. It is, however, capable of rapidly spreading over foredunes, and transplants of the vine may be
included as part of a grass establishment planting.
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