CASE STUDY
Construction Reseeding
From poor seed establishment to lush grasses in one year!
Study Name
New home construction reseeding of disturbed area with NutraFix® Micronutrient Fertilizer.
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Location
Seeley Lake, MT
Overview
A new home site in Seeley Lake struggled to establish native grasses and forbs after construction disturbed the soil. One year after poor germination, applying NutraFix® Micronutrient Fertilizer transformed the area—reducing weeds and promoting strong, lush growth of native species from the original seed mix.
Background
Home construction finished in 2022, leaving the south side of the property disturbed and regraded. About two inches of topsoil were added over coarse glacial cobble—a common but challenging soil condition in mountain construction zones.
In summer 2023, the homeowner seeded the area with a Palouse Prairie with Forbs mix containing:
Despite this high-quality native mix, establishment was poor.
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The Problem
Native seed germination was weak, and weedy species quickly filled the disturbed soil. As is typical when topsoil is imported to a site:
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Weed seedbanks arrive with the soil
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Disturbance favors rapid weed colonization
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Native grasses and forbs struggle to compete
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Dandelions and broadleaf weeds outcompete slower-growing natives
By fall 2024, the seeded area showed minimal native growth and heavy weed coverage.
Site Challenges
This home site presented multiple difficulties:
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Soil dominated by glacial till, cobbles, and rock
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Low fertility and limited moisture retention
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High weed pressure after soil disturbance
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Mountain climate with short growing seasons
Establishing native species in such harsh soil conditions requires improved nutrient availability and an early competitive advantage.
Application Rates and Methods
To revive the site, the homeowner implemented the following approach in Fall 2024:
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Applied NutraFix Micronutrient Fertilizer at 100 lbs/acre
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Gently raked the granular product into the existing soil
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Watered the area to improve nutrient dissolution and uptake
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No additional seeding was performed—the goal was to activate the existing native seed mix
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Results: Strong Native Growth & Major Weed Reduction
By the following growing season, the homeowner observed striking improvements:
✔ Significant Growth of Native Grasses & Forbs
The previously underperforming native seed mix responded strongly to enhanced soil nutrient conditions.
✔ Dramatic Reduction in Dandelions
Areas previously dominated by dandelions showed almost none after NutraFix application.
✔ Fewer Weeds Overall
A more vigorous native plant community reduced the competitive advantage of invasive weeds.
✔ Healthier, Lush Appearance
Native grasses and wildflowers exhibited visibly improved vigor and density.
​​What We Learned
This project demonstrates that:
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NutraFix plays a critical role in post-construction vegetation recovery.
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When native seed mixes fail due to poor soil conditions, improving nutrient availability can restart the establishment process.
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Even a single application can trigger significant native plant growth, reducing weed pressure naturally.
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NutraFix is particularly effective in disturbed, nutrient-poor, or rocky construction soils.
Conclusion
NutraFix Micronutrient Fertilizer helped transform a poorly established reseeding effort into a thriving native plant community. The Seeley Lake case shows how NutraFix can address construction-related soil challenges, suppress weeds, and support the long-term, healthy growth of native grasses and wildflowers.
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Have a Restoration Project? Let's Talk.
Email us: info@edaphix.com