CWI Cost Share

• Erosion Control: Use deep-rooted plants and natural materials to prevent soil erosion.
• Improve soil health: Promote healthy soil structure and reduce erosion.
• Improve water quality: Help prevent sediment and nutrient runoff into waterways.
• Water Retention: Design features like swales or rain gardens to capture and filter stormwater runoff.
• Increase plant diversity: Support a variety of plant species, providing valuable forage for livestock and habitat for wildlife. Incorporating native plants helps to support local wildlife and pollinators.
• Enhance wildlife habitat: Offer food, shelter, and breeding grounds for various species.
• Reduce weed pressure: Act as a buffer between fields and nearby areas, limiting the spread of weeds.
• Ecological Function
• Aesthetic Appeal: Employ a variety of plant textures, colors, and heights to create a visually engaging border.

Enhanced field borders play a crucial role in protecting water quality by:

• Reducing sediment runoff: Preventing soil erosion helps keep sediment out of streams and rivers, improving water clarity.
• Filtering nutrients: Plants in field borders can absorb excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can contribute to water pollution.
• Providing habitat for aquatic life: Healthy waterways with clean water and diverse habitats support a variety of aquatic species.

Identify suitable areas: Look for areas at the edges of your fields or site that are less productive, such as those near woods or waterways.

Consider planting options: Choose plants that are well-suited to your soil conditions, climate, and goals. Options may include cover crops, native grasses, or flowering plants.

Prepare the area: Prepare the soil by removing any existing vegetation and adding compost or other organic matter.

Plant: Plant the selected plants according to recommended spacing and timing.

Maintain: Monitor the field border and take steps to control weeds and maintain healthy plant growth.

Enhanced field borders offer several benefits for farmers, including:

• Increased crop yields: By reducing weed pressure and improving soil health, field borders can contribute to higher crop yields.
• Improved water retention: Healthy field borders can help retain moisture in the soil, reducing the need for irrigation.
• Reduced erosion: Field borders can help prevent soil erosion, protecting valuable topsoil and reducing sediment runoff.
• Habitat for beneficial insects: Diverse plant life can attract beneficial insects that help control pests in your crops.

By implementing enhanced field borders, farmers can improve the health of their land, increase biodiversity, and contribute to better water quality. This initiative offers a win-win solution for both agricultural producers and the environment.

Enhanced field borders offer a valuable opportunity to create sustainable, visually appealing, and ecologically beneficial urban landscapes. By carefully considering the design elements and maintenance requirements, projects transitioning from agricultural to other land uses can contribute to a more vibrant and resilient urban environment.

Commercial Site: Design a sustainable field border around the parking lot, featuring native grasses, a rain garden, and a pollinator-friendly meadow.

Native Plant Gardens: Incorporate a diverse range of native plants that thrive in local conditions.
Consider using flowering plants, grasses, and shrubs to create a vibrant and sustainable border.

Remember…

• Regular Monitoring: Inspect the field border regularly to identify any maintenance needs.
• Pruning and Trimming: Prune plants as necessary to maintain their desired shape and size.
• Weed Control: Manage weeds through hand-pulling, mulching, or selective herbicide application.
• Irrigation: Provide adequate irrigation during dry periods, especially for newly planted plants.