Seeding Plus Fertilizer

Purpose: Seeding plus fertilization is done to increase total vegetation cover quickly on a burned slope. Occasionally fertilizer alone is applied to enhance natural regeneration.

Relative effectiveness: Excellent-25% Good-0% Fair-50% Poor-25% (Replies = 4) Fertilization received mixed reviews among the four respondents. As with seeding, timing of application and post-fire weather pattern are important to success. Fertilization is mainly done in the Northwest and ammonium sulfate is most commonly used. One respondent reported that greener strips were apparent in the seeded area where the fertilizer had been applied. Pelleted seed, containing a small amount of fertilizer, may be easier to apply than uncoated seed.