Some free advice. . . .

Maximize Your Investment! 

Here are a few tips for making your investment in seed be as productive as possible:

• Consult professionals about selecting seed for your area.
• Follow directions for planting.
• Prepare the seed bed as well as possible – SEED TO SOIL CONTACT is important.
  
• Plant at the proper depth designated for the seed.
• Store seed in a cool, dry location until planting.
• Make sure your spreading equipment is clean and in good working order.

Test your Soils

Before you fertilize, get a soils test performed to find out what you have and what you need for your lawn or pastures.  For a small fee you can be assured that you are spending your money wisely while helping to improve water quality in local lakes and streams.  Visit the Texas A&M Soils Lab website for forms and information about getting your soils tested today. 

Pure Live Seed (PLS)

PLS is the abbreviation for Pure Live Seed and is the percentage of live viable seed in a given lot. To calculate PLS, multiply the purity percentage by the germination percentage. For example, 95% purity multiplied by 85% germination equals a 80.75% PLS.

Every type of seed and every lot have different purity and germination characteristics. For example, chaffy seed typically has a lower PLS. This is because chaffy seed is more difficult to clean and so the purity is not as high as would be in free-flowing (slick) seed. This is the reason that a lot of the grasses, especially native and pasture grasses, are sold by the pure live seed (PLS) and not the bulk pound. By buying the seed this way, you are buying the amount of viable seed that you need to do the job, regardless of the bulk pounds.

Seed Type

Free-Flowing—If the seed were placed in a funnel, it would all pour freely through. These seeds are generally slick and relatively heavy.

• Examples: Bristlegrass, Switchgrass, Millet
• Equipment: Can be planted with a broadcast spreader, drop box or a seed drill.

Semi-Free Flowing—This is actually a type of Free-flowing seed. The difference is that when put in a funnel, it will flow through fairly easily, but there may be some bridging.

• Examples: Green Sprangletop, Ryegrass
• Equipment: Can also be planted with a broadcast spreader, drop box or a seed drill. Closer attention should be paid to make sure that the seed is flowing and not bridging at the gate. If bridging is occurring, some moderate agitation to the seed in the holding structure may be needed.

Chaffy—If the seed were placed in a funnel, it would not pour freely through; very little, if any, would come out. These seeds are generally fluffy and relatively light.

• Examples: Bluestems, Pappusgrass
• Equipment: Must be planted by hand or with a bluestem box, which is a specially designed spreader that provides constant agitation and actually grabs the seed and pulls it out.

State and federal wildlife agents are invaluable sources of information and advice. County Extension Agents with the Texas Agrilife Extension Service, Biologists with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Conservationists with U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service are there for you to call on with problems and questions regarding all aspects of range seeding, habitat management and planting recommendations.  The agencies have an office in almost every county.  They can also help with acreage estimates and soil types.  After all, your taxes pay for their services, so take advantage of their knowledge!

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