Seeded at a moderate density to prevent canopy closure, this formulation prioritizes ecological function over visual density — allowing native species to establish while preserving the open character essential to barrens systems.
Includes (#s/ac): Tick-trefoil, Showy (Canada) (0.107), Deer Tongue Grass (0.125), Wildrye, Virginia (0.215), Lespedeza, Roundhead (Bushclover) (0.107), Bergamot, Wild (Prairie Beebalm) (0.125), Primrose, Common Evening (0.107), Smooth Panicgrass (0.09), Red Top Panicgrass (0.072), Susan, Black-eyed (0.125), Bluestem, Little (VNS) (0.287), Goldenrod, Gray (Field) (Old Field) (0.107), Aster, Frost (hairy white oldfield) (hairy) (0.09), Vervain, Blue (0.054), Alexander, Golden (0.054). Created January 2026.
Primary Use
- Sandplain and barrens restoration
- Pollinator habitat
- Early successional wildlife plantings
Region
- Coastal New York
- Long Island
- Hudson River sandplains
- Other excessively drained sandy soils statewide
What This Mix Does Well
- Maintains open structure on droughty, low-organic soils
- Supports high pollinator diversity, including barrens specialists
- Provides brood habitat for upland birds and edge species
- Establishes without creating dense sod in sandy systems
- Performs well under disturbance-based management
Ideal Sites
- Coastal sandplains and maritime barrens
- Inland sandy outwash soils
- Utility corridors and rights-of-way
- Wildlife openings and early successional management areas
- Restoration sites where open ground structure is critical
NRCS & Program Fit
- NRCS 327 – Conservation Cover
- NRCS 645 – Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
- Compatible with habitat-focused restoration and NGO pollinator programs
Establishment Notes
- Seeding Rate: Designed to establish at approximately 22 seeds per square foot to maintain open barrens structure.
- Timing: Late fall dormant seeding preferred; early spring acceptable.
- Method: Drill with native seed box or broadcast onto firm, clean seedbed.
- Management: Periodic disturbance (mowing, light disking, or prescribed fire where appropriate) helps maintain open canopy and forb diversity.
