Native Sand Dune Plants for NH Residents
NH Sea Grant Extension and the UNH Coastal Habitat Restoration Team, in partnership with NH State Parks, has created a program to provide American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) to NH coastal residents interested in restoring sand dunes on their property.
Coastal residents can receive beachgrass to plant on their property (or with landowner permission) to increase the height and width of dunes, repair damaged dunes, or establish them where none currently exist.
Participants also receive guidance on best practices for planting.
Getting Started
Once you have confirmed landowner permission and that you do not need a permit, contact Alyson Eberhardt, Coastal Ecosystems Specialist/Extension Professor at Alyson.Eberhardt@unh.edu or (603) 862-6709.
Please provide the address and size of the planting area so that we can confirm that you have suitable habitat for dune plants and we can calculate the number of plants recommended for planting.
The Importance of Dune Plants
Native sand dune plants play an important role in how sand dunes form and function. Sand dunes form as wind blows over the beach and the sand grains bounce and roll along the beach. The leaves and stems of dune plants trap the sand and build dunes as sand accumulates over time. Plants also help stabilize the dunes below the surface, as roots and underground stems, called rhizomes, form a dense network that helps to hold the sand in place.
During storms, vegetated dunes are the first line of protection for coastal areas. As storm waves crash high on the beach, dunes can absorb the energy of the waves and wind. As a result, sand dunes play an important role in protecting the homes, businesses and infrastructure behind them. Dunes also act as sand storage areas which help to maintain beaches.
How to Access Dune Plants
Confirm Boundaries and Permissions
If this is your own property, confirm your property boundaries to ensure you are planting on your own land. If you are planting on someone else’s property, confirm their permission on where to plant. NH Sea Grant Extension and the UNH Coastal Habitat Restoration Team are not responsible for ensuring property boundaries and permissions.
Plant Harvest Day
Spring and Fall are the best times for planting. Each season a Harvest Day will be scheduled for harvesting plants from the Common Garden at Hampton Beach State Park. Landowners that are able are asked to attend Harvest Day to assist in digging up plants. All plants are expected to be picked up on this day. At this time, NH Sea Grant staff will demonstrate best practices for planting dune vegetation. Plants should be held in cold storage (typically a garage or basement) and planted within 1-3 days of harvest.
Planting Follow-Up
All patrons of the Common Garden agree to complete follow up surveys so that we can confirm plantings and track the impact of the Common Garden. Pictures of plantings over time are encouraged!
Frequently Asked Questions
Planting must occur on land that you own, or land on which you have explicit permission to plant. Site suitability for dune plantings can be determined in consultation with Alyson Eberhardt, Coastal Ecosystems Specialist/Extension Professor, at Alyson.Eberhardt@unh.edu or (603) 862-6709.
The NH administrative rules listed below allow for planting native dune plants, with hand tools only, without a permit. If you have questions as to whether your coastal project falls under these rules, or want to confirm whether a permit is required, contact the NH Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau Portsmouth office at (603) 559-1500.
The best time to plant is mid fall through early spring, typically October through April in New Hampshire).
Based on the size of the area you would like to plant, and the goals of your planting effort, we will determine a target number of beachgrass plants for your effort. The recommended plant spacing can vary based on goals and available planting resources.
You may not always receive the plants that you request. Plant availability can vary based on many factors, including variability in plant success from year to year, demand for plants in a given year, and availability of resources to maintain the Common Garden. Note that planting projects on public property are prioritized over those on private property.
We will review planting best practices when you receive the plants. You can also find the recommended planting method here: [link to planting sheet]
Yes. Depending on the success of each species each year, we may also have seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) and beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) available for planting.
- A trowel, transplant spade, or planting bar
- Gloves
- Heavy duty trash bags for storing and transporting plants
- Peat moss
- Osmocote Plus Outdoor and Indoor slow release fertilizer
The Common Garden is located at Hampton Beach State Park- South Beach in Hampton, NH.
The address is 8 State Park Rd, Hampton, NH 03842.
If you walk up the main pathway, with the Park Store on your right, the Common Garden will be to your left.
Sand dunes are sacrificial systems; that is, sand dunes erode as they withstand the impact of storm waves. The dynamics of beach-dune systems is that they erode and build in cycles over time.
However, due to human-induced changes, such as the development of the coast resulting in the loss of sand dune habitat and sand sources, and more intense storms, we typically cannot wait for the natural rebuilding cycles to take place, and need to take action sooner.
Therefore, planting frequency is typically determined by the success of planting efforts and the frequency of erosive storms.
Yes, please do!
Bigger dunes offer more protection capacity. If you involve your neighbors in a more contiguous dune replanting effort, your ability to protect your home from flooding will be improved. If you are able to extend beachgrass planting to your neighbors’ properties, your chances for success will be better and your regular maintenance requirements will be lower.
NH landowners who are interested in understanding their flood risk and identifying options that may enhance the resilience of their properties can sign up for the NH Coastal Landowner Technical Assistance Program. More information about the program and how to participate can be found here:
Rules and Regulations
Env-Wq 1406.04 Activities in Protected Shoreland That Do Not Require a Shoreland Permit.
(d) (2) Planting of non-invasive vegetation or maintenance of existing gardens within the allowable disturbed or altered area using hand-held tools.
Env-Wt 309.02 Projects Conditionally Authorized By Rule. As authorized by RSA 482-A:11, VII, the following activities that are not prohibited or exempted by RSA 482-A and are not subject to an SPN may be undertaken without notifying the department or registering the activity with the department and without obtaining a standard permit or an EXP, provided the conditions stated in Env-Wt 307 and the conditions stated below are met:
(g) The planting of non-invasive plants to enhance wetlands using hand-held, non-motorized tools;
Env-Wt 610.02 Projects in the Protected Tidal Zone that Do Not Require a Permit. The following activities may be undertaken in the protected tidal zone without first obtaining a permit under RSA 482-A:
(c) Landscaping or gardening consistent with Env-Wq 1400.
The Common Garden was established with grant funding from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management.
If you would like to make a donation to help sustain the Common Garden, you may do so here:
