How to Read a Grass Seed Label

When shopping for grass seed for your lawn, remember that cost isn’t everything. An inexpensive bag of seed might seem like a bargain at the checkout counter, but it’s no bargain if all you end up with is weeds. The best approach to take when buying seed is to ignore the pretty pictures on the front of the bag and check out the specification label instead. Learning how to read a grass seed label is one of the smartest steps you can take to ensure you’re getting the best seed for your money.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Notebook
• Pencil

1. Search the label for the kind of seed inside. Some examples include Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and Bermuda. You should purchase seed that grows well in your area. If you’re looking at several different brands or types of seed, jot down the label information in your note pad. This will make it easier to compare brands.

2. Look for the words “Pure Seed” or something similar. The purity of the seed is the actual percentage of the seed type, like Bermuda, that you’re purchasing. A high number like 98 percent indicates a good buy.

3. Another key indicator of the quality of seed is the germination percentage. This is the amount of live seed in the bag. An 85 percent or higher germination rating is good. This means most of your seed has a good chance of growing. There should also be a date on the bag indicating when the seed was tested and it should be within the last year.

4. Search for the words “Inert Matter.” This refers to the percentage of filler in the seed. Filler is composed of things like dirt, chaff, and trash. This number should preferably be around 1 percent or lower.

5. Look for the percentage of “Weed Seed” in the bag. This number indicates the amount of weeds and noxious weeds. A percentage of less than 1 percent is good for this listing.

6. Examine the label for the percentage of “Other Seed Crops” in the seed. Other seeds might include orchard grass, ryegrass or Bermuda. A little bit of other seed types isn't so bad, but you don't want too much. This number should be quite low (around 1 percent).

7. Consider purchasing certified seed. This seed is guaranteed by the seller to give you the kind of seed named on the package. With some of the less expensive seed, you never know what you’re getting.
   
   Reading a grass seed label isn’t difficult and you’ll feel good about your purchases now that you’ve learned how to be smart shopper.

Tips & Warnings

• If someone else is purchasing your seed for you, be specific about the type and quality of seed you want.
• Don’t buy the first bag of seed you see. It pays to comparison shop.
• Beware of inexpensive lawn services. The seed you're paying for may not be the seed you're getting.