Purpose: Habitat cover and forage on high-salinity soils where most plantings fail
Works in:
- Eastern MT saline flats
- Alkali basins
- Seep-affected pastures
- Edges of saline wetlands
NRCS Fit:
- CP2 – Permanent Cover
- 327 Conservation Cover
- CP4D
- Wildlife Habitat
Key Habitat Benefits
- Survives high salinity where wheatgrass, clover, and most forbs fail
- Winter browse + seed availability for upland birds
- Shrub structure (4-wing saltbush) adds thermal cover + mule deer forage
- Grass–forb–shrub balance supports nesting, hiding cover, and insect production for brood habitat
Salt-tolerant grasses, forbs, and shrubs including:
Includes (#s/ac): Milkvetch, Cicer (0.14), Saltbush, 4 wing (0.175), Saltgrass (0.088), Wheatgrass, Green (AC Saltlander) (0.875), Salt Heliotrope (0.053), Sainfoin (w pods) (0.07), Alkali sacaton (0.35). Updated January 2026.
Recommended Seeding Rate:
- Drill: 1.75–2.25 lbs PLS per acre
- Broadcast: 2.0–2.5 lbs PLS per acre
Best Timing: Late fall dormant seeding or early spring
Prep Tip: Firm seedbed
Depth: extremely shallow — ⅛" or press-wheel contact only
Avoid fertilizer on saline sites — encourages annual weed takeover
