General Planting Instructions

We recommend a fall planting (after the first frost, but before the ground is frozen), for our wildflowers mixes and a spring planting (April to June depending on elevation) for our grass mixes. For mixes with both wildflowers and grasses, we recommend a fall planting. Prepare the seed bed by roughening the surface with a rake in order to create furrows approximately 1/8 - 1/4 inch deep. Many of our seeds are hairy and are easiest to hand broadcast rather than using a typical lawn seeder. Hand broadcast half of the seed while walking in one direction (e.g. north to south) and the other half in a perpendicular direction (e.g. east to west). After hand broadcasting, rake the area again and gently compact the soil using a lawn roller or similar device. Light compaction will greatly improve germination by providing seed-to-soil contact and improved moisture absorption. Mulch may be used and can greatly improve germination for plantings on dry sites. Use mulch that is weed free and use sparingly. In the spring, water the soil lightly (the soil should be kept moist but not soaked) at regular intervals until the seedlings have at least 2 sets of leaves. You may need to do this for 4-6 weeks. Next, water deeply and less frequently to promote deep root growth, approximately 1-2 inches every week or two. Sandy soil should be watered more frequently than clayey soil. Please remember that a garden of native perennials may take a while to fully mature (up to 3 years) but is well worth the wait! Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

General Seeding Rates

Wildflowers ( 4-8 ounces per 1,000 sq.ft. )
Grasses ( 1-2 pounds per 1,000 sq.ft.)
Meadow (1 pound per 1,000 sq.ft.)
Wet Meadow (8 ounces per 1,000 sq.ft.)

For seeds needing stratification: try one of the following methods:

1.) Leave the seed in the bags in which they are shipped and add just enough water so that the seed is covered by a film of water or so that the seed clumps together. For large seeds a medium such as sand should be added to improve moisture absorption. Then place the bags in the refrigerator. Check every few days to make sure the seed has not dried out. If the seed becomes moldy or starts to germinate, remove and sow in flats. After the recommended stratification period remove the seed even if it has not begun to germinate, and sow in flats. Before sowing, let the seed dry just enough that it can be separated. DO NOT let the seed dry out completely because it will die or go into very deep dormancy and may never germinate,

2.) Sow the seed in flats, moisten and place in the refrigerator for the recommended stratification period or until the seed starts to germinate,

3.) Sow the seed in flats and place outside as many days before the last frost as there are recommended for stratification. Try to keep them covered with sand to keep them from drying out, or

4.) Sow the seed in the ground before the last frost in the spring (for species that require less than 60 days stratification, or for species that require a warm stratification then cool stratification) or after the first frost in the fall (for species that require more than 60 days stratification) and let nature do the work. Keep the ground moist from about the time of the last frost until you start to see germination. Continue watering although less frequently until the seedlings have their first true leaves. If the seed does not germinate the year when sown, try not to disturb the area where seeded until next spring. Sometimes it may take a few years for difficult species to germinate, but most should take a year.