Topsoil and compost applications were done in accordance with Iowa Department of Transportation specifications for supplemental topsoil additions. 

Test plots were lightly compacted with a cultipacker, to provide a firm seedbed for the erosion control vegetation. Following cultipacking, half of the plots were fertilized and seeded with a mixture of oats, rye, timothy, and clover.  After seeding and fertilizing, all plots were cultipacked a second time to provide good soil-to-seed contact.