Native Seed Mix General Information!

Ohio Prairie Nursery has developed several standard seed mixes over the years. All mixes are based on customer preference, specific regional research, or specific application. The main categories are:

Authentic Regional Seed Mixes These mixes were designed using the most accurate historical information available and include a representation of the species that were found in the area prior to European settlement. There are eight Ohio regions represented.

Specific Application Seed Mixes These seed mixes have been designed specific applications. They include Rain Gardens, Retention basin and storm water systems, Sedge Meadow, Floodplains, Septic Field, Butterfly and Hummingbird Habitat, and Woodland Edges.

True Colors Native Seed Mixes The Ohio Prairie Nursery "True Colors" seed mix series allows you to select a seed mix based on your soil moisture, grass height preference, and the number of wildflower species that you would like in you prairie planting.

Prairie ecosystems are also called grassland ecosystems. They contained both grasses and forbs or wildflowers. For this reason, most of our native seed mixes contain both grasses, or grass like species such as sedges and rushes, and forbs (wildflowers).

We have created the "True Colors" prairie seed mix series based on three criteria.

1) Soil moisture. There is an almost infinite range of moisture found in soils. The coefficient of wetness that we refer to in our individual species selection information refers to an eleven division sol moisture scale. For simplicity, we have elected to break our True Colors seed mixes into a three part moisture gradient scale; wet, mesic or average, and dry.

2) Grass height, short or tall. Our short grass heights range from 1 to 3 feet in height. Our tall grass heights range from 3 to 6 feet in height. These heights are estimates and are controlled by genetic variability in the seed and rainfall over a given season. If you want to see flowers in and above the grasses you may want to select one of the short mixes. If you like the tall grasses waving in the breeze like ocean waves, take a look at the tall mixes. If increased diversity and habitat creation are your goal, our mixed height option may suite you best.

3) Number of forbs that you want in your seed mix. Available choices are 12, 18 or 24.

The following guide will help you make a decision based on your criteria. Our product codes are descriptive. The first letter refers to the moisture; W = wet, M = mesic, D = dry The number refers to the number of forbs in the mix; 12, 18, or 24. The next letter or combination of letters refers to the grass height; S = short, MX = mixed height, T = Tall.

Example: M18T01 would be;
M = Mesic or average soil moisture
18 = 18 forbs or wildflowers
T = Tall grasses, 3 to 6 feet

Low Maintenance Lawn Seed Mixes Ohio Prairie Nursery has two different low maintenance lawn seed mixes available. The first contains a blend of short growing cool season Fescue, the second combines native warm season grasses with the Fescue grasses for additional drought tolerance. See our online store for more information.

Individual Species Information Ohio Prairie Nursery currently offers seventy species of native prairie and wetland seeds. All our seed is tested by registered, independent seed laboratories. Test data allows us to quantify the germination and purity of a seed lot. Seed can be sold two ways; bulk weight or pure live seed. There is a significant difference between these two methods. We sell pure live seed with very few exceptions. Determining pure live seed (PLS) numbers is simple; (germination X purity). As the name implies, when you one ounce of pure live seed you get a one ounce of live viable seed. If you buy one ounce of bulk seed, you get a total of one ounce of material but less than one ounce of viable seed. If you buy bulk seed, the price is lower but you don’t always know exactly how much viable seed you are getting. When you buy PLS seed, you know exactly what you are buying.

Seed Packaging Several of our seed mixes are available in seed packets which are designed to cover up to 250 square feet of soil area. Our seed mix packets are packaged in hermetically sealed Mylar foil envelopes which have a shelf life of up to three years. Any of our individual species are available in $2.50 packets, or incremental weights. Individual species are shipped in paper or plastic pouches. They need to be stored in a cool place until planted. Placing these packets in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 days prior to planting will improve germination. The balance of our mixes are available only in larger area quantities beginning with 1/10 acre. All these mixes are blended just prior to shipment to assure the freshest seed lots available at all times.

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