A Guide to Buying Good Seed What’s In The Bag Must have a label or tag

North Carolina Seed Law General Statute Each container of agricultural seed –Sold, Offered or Exposed for sale, or transported within or into this State –For seeding purposes shall bear thereon or have attached thereto in a conspicuous place –A plainly written or printed label or tag in the English Language

North Carolina Seed Law General Statute For each container of agricultural seed –Label shall contain information required in GS through GS –Information shall not be modified or denied in the labeling or on another label attached to the container

So What Is Required? 1.Name of the kind and the variety, or kind and the phrase “Variety not stated” If more than one component, Mixture or Mixed must be conspicuously on the label Also called blends with each component present in excess of 5% of the whole

So What Is Required? 2.Lot number or other identification Unique Traceable to it’s manufacturer 3.Net Weight 4.Origin or Origin Unknown clearly stated 5.Percentage by weight of inert matter Broken seed, sand, rock, trash, etc.

So What Is Required? 6.Percentage by weight of “Other Crop Seed” defined as: Un-named varieties of the desirable turfgrass species Other species of grass seeds Other crop seeds But not over 5% by weight

So What Is Required? 6.Percentage by weight of all weed seeds, including noxious weed-seeds Noxious weeds are extremely difficult to control Some are prohibited: Can’t be controlled or are harmful if fed to poultry or livestock Should be avoided if possible

So What Is Required? 7.Name and number per pound of each kind of restricted noxious weed-seed present Restricted noxious weeds – very difficult to control by cultural practices Prohibited noxious weeds – Can not be controlled by cultural practices in common use.

So What Is Required? 8.For each Named Seed on the Label: a.Germination percentage, excluding hard seed (seed that do not absorb moisture and germinate) – 85% or better b.Percentage of hard seed if present. c.Calendar month and year the test was performed to determine percentages.

So What Is Required? 9.Name and address of the person (company) who labeled said seed or who sells, offers, or exposes said seed for sale within the state

Optional Information on the Tag Pure seed is seed of the kind or kind and variety on the label exclusive of inert matter, and weed seeds, and all other seeds distinguishable from the kind or kind and variety on the label Seed of better quality usually have the pure seed percentage listed on the tag

Ensure Quality! Buy Certified Seed if possible Recognized by blue label or seed tag Certified seed have met standards to assure high quality, and Certified seed have low level of contaminants

How to Use the Seed Tag? Always read the tag! Buy the Best Quality for the Best Performance! Poor quality seed not only mean poorer performance of the grass, but usually more pest and weed problems.

Consider more than the Price Best Seed Company 96% Purity 90% germination $3.00/lb. Seed for Less Inc. 85% Purity 80% germination $2.75/lb.

Figured on 10 lbs. of seed Best Seed Company 10 x 96% = 9.6 lb. kind of seed to plant 9.6 lb. x 90% = 8.64 lb. viable seed that will germinate 10 lb x $3.00 = $ $30.00 ÷ 8.64 = $ 3.47 per lb. of viable seed Seed for Less Inc. 10 x 85% = 8.5 lb. kind of seed to plant 8.5 lb. x 80% = 6.8 lb. viable seed that will germinate 10 lb. x $2.75 = $ $27.50 ÷ 6.8 = $ 4.04 per lb. of viable seed

Fescue and Bluegrass Blends Often recommended for fescues and bluegrasses 80-90% fescue/10- 20% bluegrass by weight Two cultivars of fescues & two of bluegrass per blend