Grass Seed Mixes

Newsom Seed is a Mid-Atlantic seed company supplying grass seed and landscaping supplies to the wholesale trade. We have one of the largest seed blending facilities on the East Coast. The equipment used is state of the art, cleaning and mixing seed to the highest quality available.

We not only inventory stock mixes, but also do custom mixing to the customer’s specifications.

We also can mix Maryland Certified Mixes, such as those used for Maryland State Highway and Maryland sod farms. These mixes require that the seed be tested by the Turf & Seed Division of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Once the testing has been done and approved, the Department of Agriculture schedules the day the mix will be done. On that day, a representative from the Department of Agriculture is present to supervise the entire mixing procedure. The Department of Agriculture preprints the tags like the one below. These tags are sown on each bag.

As you can see in the photos to the left, not only do we provide seed in 50 pound bags, but also in 1,000 lb. bulk bags. These are typically used on sod farms.

Newsom Trio Mix

Components

80% Tall Fescue

10% Perennial Ryegrass

10% Kentucky bluegrass

Trio Mix is our most popular mix. The tall fescues stay green in the summer, tolerate heat & drought, and can tolerate a fair amount of shade. The perennial ryegrass establishes quickly providing erosion control until the turf becomes established. The Kentucky bluegrass complements the mix, and repairs any damage done by traffic or disease. All the components are improved varieties, locally adapted with narrow blades and a very pleasing appearance.

Sow at 6 lbs. per 1000 sf.

Newsom Premium Mix

Components

90% Tall Fescue

10% Perennial Ryegrass

Newsom Premium Mix is our most popular elite mix. The tall fescues stay green in the summer, tolerate heat & drought, and can tolerate a fair amount of shade. The perennial ryegrass establishes quickly providing erosion control until the turf becomes established. All components are improved varieties and are taken from the Maryland/Virginia Recommend List - TT-77.

Sow at 6 lbs. per 1000 sf.

Newsom Shade Mix

Components

30% Creeping Red Fescue

25% Chewings Fescue

15% Hard Fescue

15% Kentucky bluegrass

15% Perennial Ryegrass

Shade is always a hard place to grow grass. To improve the chances of success, our mixture contains 5 species. 70% is comprised of 3 “fine” fescues, all of which tolerate low levels of light and dry soil.

Sow at 4-5 lbs. per 1000 sf.

Newsom Hydro-Mix

Components

85% Tall Fescue

15% Perennial Ryegrass

Hydro-Mix is our most popular hydroseeding mixture. It establishes quickly to provide soil stabilization. The tall fescues are the workhorse of this mix. They withstand the heat and drought that frequent the Transition Zone. Use on construction sites, new home building and industrial sites.

Sow at 6 lbs. 1000 sf.

Newsom Temp/Perm Mix

Components

50% Barley

25% Tall Fescue

20% Annual Ryegrass

5% Foxtail Millet

We developed this mix after years of complaints that temporary mixes weren’t lasting long enough. With the addition of 25% tall fescue, this mix gives you the versatility of a temporary mix with the endurance of a permanent mix at a very economical price.

Sow at 100-200 lbs. per acre.

Newsom Econo Mix

Components

50% Tall Fescue

50% Annual Ryegrass

This mix is similar to the Temp/Perm mix. It will give you very quick erosion control along with permanent seed characteristics.

Sow at 100 lbs. per acre

Newsom Wildflower Mix

Components

10 Species of Perennial Wildflower

10 Species of Annual Wildflower

Newsom Wildflower Mix is modeled after research performed by John Krouse with the University of Maryland. Each specie is selected for its adaptability to our area, giving you the best chance for a successful wildflower meadow.

Sow at 18 lbs. per acre (12 lbs. Perennial Wildflower & 6 lbs. Annual Wildflower.” Click here to enlarge photo on the left.

Newsom 90/10 with Thermal Blue

Components

90% Tall Fescue

10% Thermal Blue

This is a popular mix for athletic fields, home lawns and commercial sites. The rugged nature of the tall fescues along with the heat tolerance of Thermal Blue make it one of the best mixes available for use in the Transition Zone.

Sow at 6 lbs. per 1000 sf

Available by special order only.

Web Site Design by Jim Claxton

Pure Live Seed Calculations - Multiple Varieties

Seed mixtures are normally sold by weight of each component that makes up the mixture. Occasionally, specifications are based on the actual pure live seed (PLS) seeding rate or each kind or variety in the mix. Seed mixed and labeled as Maryland Interagency Certified mixtures (blue tag) or as meeting the specifications of the Maryland State Highway Administration (orange tag) must need high standards of purity and germination.

For example: a specification requires that 6.0 pounds of perennial ryegrass and 1.5 lbs. of Kentucky bluegrass be applied per 1000 sf. This would appear to be an 80% / 20% mixture applied at 7.5 lbs./1000 sf.

The Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass components which are chosen for this mixture show the following test results on their respective tags:

Perennial Ryegrass 99.08% pure seed 95% germination

Kentucky bluegrass 98.67% pure seed 70% germination

To calculate the PLS of the perennial ryegrass & Kentucky bluegrass:

Perennial Ryegrass:

A: Multiply the % pure seed by the % germination (0.9908 x 0.95) = 94.13% PLS

B: Multiply the % PLS by the required weight (0.9413 x 6.0) = 5.65 pounds

The 6.0 pounds of perennial ryegrass contains 5.65 pounds of viable seed (PLS). Thus, to apply the recommended seeding rate of 6.0 pounds per 1000 sf you will need more than 6.0 pounds of this seed.

To calculate the amount of perennial ryegrass seed you will need:

C: Divide the recommended seeding rate by the PLS weight (6.0 / 5.65) = 1.06 lbs.

D: Multiply C by pounds per 1000 sf (1.06 x 6.0) = 6.36 pounds

Kentucky bluegrass:

A: Multiply the % pure seed by the % germination (0.9867 x 0.70) = 69.00% PLS

B: Multiply the % PLS by the required weight (0.69 x 1.5) = 1.04 pounds

The 1.5 lbs. of Kentucky bluegrass only contains 1.04 pounds of viable seed (PLS). Thus, to apply the recommended seeding rate of 1.5 pounds per 1000 sf you will need more than 1.5 pounds of seed:

To calculate the amount of Kentucky bluegrass seed you will need:

C: Divide the recommended seeding rate by the PLS weight (1.5 / 1.04) = 1.44 lbs.

D: Multiply C by pounds per 1000 sf (1.44 x 1.5) = 2.16 lbs.

To apply 6.0 pounds PLS of perennial ryegrass seed and 1.5 pounds PLS of the Kentucky bluegrass seed, you will need to mix 6.36 pounds of the perennial ryegrass and 2.16 pounds of the Kentucky bluegrass. Thus, you should not mix the seed as an 80% - 20% mixture applied at 7.5 lbs./1000 sf; instead you should mix on the basis of a 74.65% - 25.35% mixture, and seed this at 8.52 lbs./1000 sf (not 7.5 lbs).

Click here for printable version of PLS calculations.

Newsom Seed is a distributor for Ernst Conservation Seeds of Meadville, PA. We have a long term relationship in working with Ernst, helping to provide many specialty seed species and mixes to meet the growing demand of this market segment. With the increased attention by state and federal agencies toward wetland areas and conservation concerns, native mixes have become specified in bid packages more and more.

Below I have listed many of the stock mixes that we can provide. Keep in mind that the specific species in each mix can vary from time to time depending on the availability at the time the order is placed. We can also have custom mixes made to meet almost any specification.

Mixes Listed by Mix Number

#101 - Best Strip Mine Mix

#102(1) - Pipeline Mix with Switchgrass

#103 - Good Value Mine Mix

#105 - Northeastern US Roadside Native Seed Mix

#107 - Pasture and Hay Mix

#108 - Hay Mix

#109 - Crownvetch Seeding Mix

#112 - Flat Pea & Perennial Pea Mix

#114 - Ernst 5311 Conservation Mix

#117 - Warm Season Grass Mix

#120 - OBL-FACW Perennial Food & Cover Wetland Mix

#122 - FACW Wetland Meadow Mx

#123 - Native Upland Wildlife Forage & Cover Meadow Mix

#125 - Northeastern US Roadside Native Seed Mix without Grasses

#126 - Retention Basin Floor Seeding Low Maintenance Grass & Grass-like Species

#127 - Retention Basin Floor Seeding for Wildlife & Plant Diversity Mix

#128 - Seasonally Flooded Area Annual & Perennial Wildlife Food Mix

#130 - Wildlife Food Plot Mix

#131 - OBL Wetland Mix

#132 - Right-of-Way Woods Mix

#132(1) - Native Right-of-Way Woods Seed Mix with Annual Ryegrass

#133 - Keystone Deer and Turkey Mix

#133(1) - Keystone Big Buck Mix

#134 - Right-of-Way Pasture Mix

#137 - Specialized Wetland Mix for Shaded OBL-FACW Areas

#138 - Wildlife Food & Shelter Shrub Mix

#140 - Partially Shaded Area Roadside Mix

#145 - Midwest Forbs Seed Mix

#153 - Showy Northeast Native Wildflower Mix

#153(1) - Showy Northeast Native Wildflower Mix without Grasses

#154 - Flood Plain Wildlife Mix

#156 - Low-Growing Wildflower & Grass Mix

#166 - Journey (Plateau) Tolerant Wildflower & Grass Mix

#167 - Annual Wildflower Mix

#168 - Northeast Perennial & Annual Wildflower Mix

#170 - Annual & Perennial Wildlife Food Plot Mix

#171 - Multi-Purpose - Multi-Year Wildlife Food & Shelter Mix

#172 - Maryland Upland Mix

#173 - Eastern Native Habitat Mix

#174 - Virginia Gentleman’s Mix

#175 - Waterfowl Buffet Mix

#176 - Passive Acid Mine Wetland OBL Mix

#177 - Eastern Ecotype Native Grass Mix

#178 - Riparian Buffer Mix

#179 - Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden Mix

#180 - Rain Garden Mix

#181 - Native Steep Slope Mix with Annual Ryegrass

#182 - Carolina FACW Meadow Mix

#183 - Detention Mix

Annual & Perennial Wildlife Food Plot Mix - #170

Annual Wildflower Mix - #167

Best Strip Mine Mix - #101

Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden Mix - #179

Carolina FACW Meadow Mix - #182

Crownvetch Seeding Mix - #109

Detention Mix - #183

Eastern Ecotype Native Grass Mix - #177

Eastern Native Habitat Mix - #173

Ernst 5311 Conservation Mix - #114

FACW Wetland Meadow Mx - #122

Flat Pea & Perennial Pea Mix - #112

Flood Plain Wildlife Mix - #154

Good Value Mine Mix - #103

Hay Mix - #108

Journey (Plateau) Tolerant Wildflower & Grass Mix - #166

Keystone Big Buck Mix - #133(1)

Keystone Deer and Turkey Mix - #133

Low-Growing Wildflower & Grass Mix - #156

Maryland Upland Mix - #172

Midwest Forbs Seed Mix - #145

Multi-Purpose - Multi-Year Wildlife Food & Shelter Mix - #171

Native Right-of-Way Woods Seed Mix with Annual Ryegrass - #132(1)

Native Steep Slope Mix with Annual Ryegrass - #181

Native Upland Wildlife Forage & Cover Meadow Mix - #123

Northeast Perennial & Annual Wildflower Mix - #168

Northeastern US Roadside Native Seed Mix - #105

Northeastern US Roadside Native Seed Mix without Grasses - #125

OBL Wetland Mix - #131

OBL-FACW Perennial Food & Cover Wetland Mix - #120

Partially Shaded Area Roadside Mix - #140

Passive Acid Mine Wetland OBL Mix - #176

Pasture and Hay Mix - #107

Pipeline Mix with Switchgrass - #102(1)

Rain Garden Mix - #180

Retention Basin Floor Seeding for Wildlife & Plant Diversity Mix - #127

Retention Basin Floor Seeding Low Maintenance Grass & Grass-like Species - #126

Right-of-Way Pasture Mix - #134

Right-of-Way Woods Mix - #132

Riparian Buffer Mix - #178

Seasonally Flooded Area Annual & Perennial Wildlife Food Mix - #128

Showy Northeast Native Wildflower Mix - #153

Showy Northeast Native Wildflower Mix without Grasses - #153(1)

Specialized Wetland Mix for Shaded OBL-FACW Areas - #137

Virginia Gentleman’s Mix - #174

Warm Season Grass Mix - #117

Waterfowl Buffet Mix - #175

Wildlife Food & Shelter Shrub Mix - #138

Wildlife Food Plot Mix - #130

Mixes Listed Alphabetically

The tag above is an example of a Supervised Mix done with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This is a mix that has been specified by Maryland State Highway. If you will notice, the seed must be used by October 31, 2008. If the seed is not used by that time, a sample must be taken by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and retested to make sure that the germination level still meets the minimum requirements.

The date for retesting is determined by the original test date. On the tag, the test date is January 2008. The seed must be retested after 9 months, which would after October 31, 2008.

All Maryland Certified Mixes, whether SHA, sod mixes or otherwise, must be retested 9 months after the original test date on the tag.

Another frequent question pertains to “Pure Live Seed.” How does one determine Pure Live Seed or PLS? Let’s take the tag above.

If you look at the germination levels, they are all at 90%. Now take the Other Crop, Inert Matter, Weed Seed and add them together.

.05 + .73 + .00 = 0.78%

100% - 0.78 = 99.22% Purity

To determine PLS, multiply the purity by the germination level.

99.22 x 90.00 = 89.30% PLS (Pure Live Seed)

SHA Turfgrass Mix

Components

90% Certified Tall Fescue

5% Certified Perennial Ryegrass

5% Certified Kentucky bluegrass

The tag above is an example of an Interagency Mix done with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The mix is a Maryland Certified Sod Mix.

For a sod farm in Maryland to grow Certified Sod, they first must purchase Maryland Certified Sod Seed. Then their fields must be inspected throughout the year by a field representative from the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The inspector makes sure there are no weed issues and that the turf is healthy and viable.

Maryland Certified Sod Mix

Components

90% Certified Tall Fescue

10% Certified Kentucky bluegrass

Click here to see an illustration of all the information found

on a seed tag.

Double Eagle Hybrid Blue Blend (Certified Blend)

Components

50% Thermal Blue

25% Thermal Blue Blaze

25% Dura Blue

Click on tag to enlarge

Double Eagle Hybrid Blue Blend is without a doubt the toughest bluegrass blend available today. The blend will withstand drought and heat. After drought conditions, it recovers quickly, coming back to a rich, dark green. To learn more, click here.

Pasture Master Perfecta Mid-Atlantic Mixture

Pennington Seed is known for it’s research with pasture mixes. When it comes to these mixes, they are #1. This mix is excellent for cattle or horses. It is endophyte-free and contains components that are designed for the Mid-Atlantic region. Seeding rate is typically 50 lbs. per acre. Bag size is 25 lbs.

Newsom Tall Fescue Blend

Components

100% Tall Fescue

We use 3 varieties of tall fescue in this very popular mix. The tall fescues stay green in the summer, tolerate heat & drought, and can tolerate a fair amount of shade. All the varieties are improved varieties, locally adapted with narrow blades and from the Maryland/Virginia Recommend List - TT-77.

Sow at 7-8 lbs. per 1000 sf.

GOLD Standard

Components

100% Certified Tall Fescue

This is a brand new mix from Scotts. It is a premium blend of Oregon Certified Tall Fescues. They are bred for superior performance and Brown Patch resistance. Sow at 6-8 lbs. per 1000 sf. Bag sizes: 50, 25 & 5 lb.

Gold Standard Seed

For a close-up look behind the scenes at our state-of-the-art mixing facility,

CLICK HERE

Winner’s Circle Tall Fescue Blend

Components

100% Tall Fescue

Winner’s Circle Blend contains our leading varieties to produce a dense, attractive turf under a broad range of application and fertility levels. The genetic diversity contributes to a higher level of disease and insect resistance. Coming this fall.

Sow at 7-8 lbs. per 1000 sf.

Tech Sheet

Winning Colors Tall Fescue Blend

Components

100% Tall Fescue

Winning Colors is the ultimate “Oregon Certified” Turf-Type Tall Fescue blend containing 4 of the best tall fescues on the market. The new improved version features our new varieties that were included in the 2007 Tall Fescue NTEP trial. Together, these 4 varieties make Winning Colors a winning combination of better varieties to yield better turf - producing excellent color, overall disease resistance, brown patch resistance, mowability, drought resistance, and heat tolerance.

Tech Sheet