How to get bulrushes stared

[jimd]

If I can go to a private pond that is stocked with sunnies and crappies, how would someone put bulrushes in this pond. It is just a bowl shaped pond and want to put in bulrushes for protection from northerns that are in there. Do I have to buy the plants already grown and transplant them? Or is there seeds that a person can buy?

[Bobb-o]

you are prob gonna have to buy them grown and transplant them. I did this at my summer internship a couple times, it is surprisingly easy to get them going once you put them in. But if you do get a lot of waterfowl in the area put up some snow fencing around the planted area and then hang plastic streamers across the area to keep birds out.

[Failin'onPhalen]

You may want to check with the DNR to see if you need a permit.

I have used started bulrush that I bought from the Ramsey County Correctional Nursery. Best to plant in spring, giving them a growing season to root. Will want to pre-order the plants. Muskrats may be a issue - they like to eat the plantings...also, beware the wave action (sounds like a small lake though)...will need to check on plantings frequently because they dislodge easy. might consider building wave break of sticks/tree limbs to better protect plantings.

good luck,

Failin'

[Duck Matt]

best bet is to buy started plats from a good nursery, many wetland seeds need to overwinter in the cold to germinate and started plants will grow the first year. Here is a link to an excellent wetland plant seeding manual

web page

This is from the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources and gives detailed instrcutions on seeding in wetlands