Pasture grass seed viability

[Bob McCarty]

While mowing some unused pasture today, I noticed that the seed was piling up on the mower deck. Decided to save it and ended up with about a 5 gal pail full. If planted, with this be likely to grow? Is there any way to test it ( like sprouting alfalfa seed in a wet paper tower in a jar)? I'll need to figure out a way to clean out the stem and leaves mixed in, maybe sift through grill screen.

Thanks, Bob

[Bill Hudson]

While mowing some unused pasture today, I noticed that the seed was piling up on the mower deck. Decided to save it and ended up with about a 5 gal pail full. If planted, with this be likely to grow? Is there any way to test it ( like sprouting alfalfa seed in a wet paper tower in a jar)? I'll need to figure out a way to clean out the stem and leaves mixed in, maybe sift through grill screen.

Thanks, bob

Bob,

Lets take the questions, one at a time:
1) Will it grow? Probably, but it is dependent on the species and what needs to be done for viable germination.
2) Is there a way to test it? Yes, it is also specie dependent on what kind of germination test is appropriate. Warm test, cold test, length of test and what percent germination is considered acceptable.
3) Cleaning? One of the considerations in the cleaning process is the removal of weed seeds. No sense planting weeds, they grow well enough on their own.

If you really want to seed some grass, my suggestion is to pony up the funds to buy processed seed of known specie(s), known germination and known percent of weed/foreign seeds.

Hope this helps.

Bill

[ScottyD'sdad]

Bill is right, of course, but a cheap Polak, like ME, would test germination, in a damp paper towel, and plant it, if germination is satisfactory. Soil is full of weed seeds, and you never get a pure stand, of the pure , clean seed, that you pay dearly for. With all the weeds I have, a few more won't show. Ed

[beaconlight]

I am with Ed on this one. The start should be are you happy with the mix 0f growth where you are mowing.