Overview

In 2004, Hydro Quebec worked with Verdyol to combine peat moss with their wheat based straw mulch to help reclaim road sides that were being built on their northern construction sites near James Bay. This project was located in the Northern Boreal forest where salvaging topsoil was impossible, and there was no topsoil to import.

Issues

  • No salvaged or imported topsoil available 
  • Highly erodible, sandy subsoil 
  • Short growing season

Solution

In 2004, Hydro Quebec worked with Verdyol to combine peat moss with their wheat based straw mulch to help reclaim road sides that were being built on their northern construction sites near James Bay. This project was located in the Northern Boreal forest where salvaging topsoil was impossible, and there was no topsoil to import.

To further complicate matters, the subsoil was highly erodible sand and their growing season is short. The goal was to establish vegetation within one season and make it sustainable without the use of topsoil.

Before Installation
Installation
After Installation, Vegetation is Growing

Application 

  • Verdyol Biotic Earth HGM at a rate of 2000 kg/ha was used.
  • The seed mix was seeded at a rate of 175 kg/ha and consisted of

           • w 34% Creeping red fescue    • w 5% Bent Grass
           • w 15% White Clover                • w 8% Timothy
           • w 3% Reed Canary grass        • w 15% Barley
           • w 20% Birdsfoot trefoil

  • 12-18-12 fertilizer, 25% slow release.
  • Ver Tack was used as the tackifier at a rate of 80 L/ha on the steeper slopes.

Results

All goals reached! Quebec continues today to specify a straw and peat based hydro mulch in their northern areas.

After Use of Biotic Earth, Full Vegetation Success