Grass seed. Is there really a difference between brands?

[WoodChuckDad]

I am building some fields. A process that will continue for years. Spreading many toms of lime and manure and putting in grass seed. I am buying several types but most of it is Kentucky 31 tall fescue. What I am wondering is if there really is a big difference between Pennington, rebels, and some of the companies stuff sold at tractor supply and southern states

 

[boomer1025]

With the manure you put on I think you all ready seeded it

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Boomer, that would suit me fine because forage grass is expensive stuff. It is well composted cow manure from a local dairy farm. I am hoping that it sweetens up the soil.

 

[jaydee325]

You might try a feed store in your area. A while back, I inquired at a local feed store/outlet and they were significantly less money for bulk seed than any of the local big box retail estabilshments.

They provided advice also!

 

[oosik]

I've used different brands of grass seed. The thing I've found - old seed can have a low germination rate. Also - seed that has different types of wild grasses, all mixed together, will show better overall germination.

There are two grass seed companies locally. I obtain seed from them. Local company providing local seed.

 

[jeff9366]

There are two grass seed companies locally. I obtain seed from them. Local company providing local seed.

I agree. I buy seed from Hancock Seed Company in Dade City, Florida, forty miles from my home. Hancock is specific about which seed varieties they grow themselves around Dade City, which they buy from other parts of Florida, and which come from out of state.

I do not know if germination is better but one year "take" of young grass to my land is improved.

 

[oosik]

"I do not know if germination is better but one year "take" of young grass to my land is". That's exactly what I meant to say Jeff. I've tried Kentucky Blue grass on one small patch. It sure must do better in Kentucky.

 

[Streetcar]

I am building some fields. A process that will continue for years. Spreading many toms of lime and manure and putting in grass seed. I am buying several types but most of it is Kentucky 31 tall fescue. What I am wondering is if there really is a big difference between Pennington, rebels, and some of the companies stuff sold at tractor supply and southern states

As long as variety is the same ,brand does not matter. I bought at farm supply for best price

 

[RickB]

I look at the germination test data and make sure the seed was tested and bagged in the current calendar year.

 

[Oldoak]

The quality of seed is more important than where you purchase it or where it was grown. For the past several years I have had very good germination rates with the seed I have purchased. All of which came from Hancock Seed Co., Dade City, Florida. My property is in N.E. Pennsylvania.

The only seed I purchase locally is rye and oats when used as a cover crop or is going to be plowed under as green manure crop.

The question you want to ask yourself: Is it suited for my climate and the length of my growing season?

 

[Buxus]

A comment and a question:
Comment:
My experience has been that buying grass seed in bulk ten years ago got me a much higher percentage of weeds than buying 40lb bags of Scott's Landscaper fescue mix (NO weeds). Also, not sure if it's just marketing, but the seed in the big box stores is coated for water retention. I don't irrigate at all after putting it down. Rain + autumn morning condensation works every time for years now. Might work just as well for uncoated seed, just haven't tried it.

Question:
Those that buy from local seed companies, what do you pay per pound for grass seed? I haven't researched a local source, and have been buying Scott's Landscaper mix for $1.50 a pound. I use about 200-400 pounds a year so I'd love to save even 25 cents a pound.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have bought many 50 pound bags of seed at TSC, Canada. It generally came up good, but had much temporary grass type that then did not come up in the spring and left the area sparse.

Just bought a small bag of Scotts, coated seed for shade, and it came up well and quick but the price just about killed me.

 

[Sono]

Not sure, but after our pool install, the yard was left in shambles... its clay soil, so slick as snot and caked to everything. I put down lime then threw down (overseeded) a shade/sun mix, supposed to germinate in a week or 2. then I roughed a bail of straw over the areas to help generate heat and help with washout. Had a super heavy downpour that washed out some dirt around the pool and through the yard so I had to haul and fill all that ruckus again. Didn't have any more seeds so I didn't bother with it. A week later I went out and there is new grass everywhere??? I guess raking the soil level rolled some seeds from earlier on the surface. I did pick up another bulk bag and going to throw it out and hopefully get it a bit thicker before the end of fall.

 

[Sono]

A comment and a question:
Comment:
My experience has been that buying grass seed in bulk ten years ago got me a much higher percentage of weeds than buying 40lb bags of Scott's Landscaper fescue mix (NO weeds). Also, not sure if it's just marketing, but the seed in the big box stores is coated for water retention. I don't irrigate at all after putting it down. Rain + autumn morning condensation works every time for years now. Might work just as well for uncoated seed, just haven't tried it.

Question:
Those that buy from local seed companies, what do you pay per pound for grass seed? I haven't researched a local source, and have been buying Scott's Landscaper mix for $1.50 a pound. I use about 200-400 pounds a year so I'd love to save even 25 cents a pound.

I buy my seeds bulk at the local nursery, About .50 a pound, its a mix of tall fescue, Kentucky 31 and a few others ( sun and shade mix ) no weeds whatsoever.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I buy my seeds bulk at the local nursery, About .50 a pound, its a mix of tall fescue, Kentucky 31 and a few others ( sun and shade mix ) no weeds whatsoever.

I wish there was a source for tall fescue at 50 cents a lb. the cheapest I have found it is $79 per 50lb bag at tractor supply. i have a 10% off coupon that I am going to use to buy a dozen bags and then we are buying a dozen 25 lb. bags of orchard grass at southern states at 49.99/bag. I never had any idea that fields of grass could cost so much to create. Already put down 10 tons of lime and putting down at least that much this weekend as well. Also bought a new spreader. My most expensive implement yet.

 

[Ford850]

I've been buying my seed from Rural King. It's been fresher stock, and when I buy in late winter/early spring they sell old stock for 50% off. I've had excellent luck even with that old stock. They have Kentucky 31, but I usually buy the 5 Way Tall Fescue (5 fine blade tall fescue varieties) so I can use it for lawn, trails, or whatever. Turfstrong 5 Way Fescue Turf Mix 5� Pound
I made the huge mistake of seeding with Orchard grass many years back. It's a clump grass that grows fast works great for hay or pastures, horrible if you plan to mow or walk the area due to the clumps.

 

[Oldoak]

I wish there was a source for tall fescue at 50 cents a lb. the cheapest I have found it is $79 per 50lb bag at tractor supply. i have a 10% off coupon that I am going to use to buy a dozen bags and then we are buying a dozen 25 lb. bags of orchard grass at southern states at 49.99/bag. I never had any idea that fields of grass could cost so much to create. Already put down 10 tons of lime and putting down at least that much this weekend as well. Also bought a new spreader. My most expensive implement yet.

Don't fret, the cost of the lime was money well spent. Nothing worse than trying to raise a good crop, grass, or anything when the soil PH is too low. That lime will do more good than throwing a ton of fertilizer at it.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I used k31 for my lawn. I like it.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Orchard grass turned out to be $90 for 25 lb bag. We still got 150 lbs. also have some Kentucky 31 bought at southern states. It wqs tested 8/19. The tractor supply seed was tested 1/19. I am reading online that the seed should be good for a couple years

 

[WoodChuckDad]

The orchard grass goes into the orchard, mixed with K31. We will see how it goes with growth. Still a couple weeks away from the temps cooling enough to plant