Seed Volume

Seed Volume & Seeding Rates

Seed volume can be deceiving. The bulk of seed you receive will vary depending on the species. This has nothing to do with how much seed you ordered—it’s about seed size.

We don’t add any filler to our mixes (which can make a seed mix look “fuller”), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add some filler before seeding. You probably have something handy that will do the job—peat, sand, vermiculite, or anything that contrasts with your soil. Be creative! The goal is to prevent too many seeds from falling too close together—and to help you see where things have landed.

Size of the Seed vs. Size of the Plant

I’ve had people say, “That doesn’t look like 1,800 seeds!”—and I get it. At first glance, it can be surprising. But when you stop and think about it, it makes sense: most wildflower seeds are tiny. Fireweed is a perfect example—its seeds are almost dust-like, yet the plant can grow five feet tall. Even one of the largest seeds we work with, Lupine, is still only about a sixth the size of a kernel of corn.

We’re used to seeding lawn grass densely, which makes sense for a sod-forming species. But native forbs are different. You’d never seed corn the way you seed grass, and a full-grown Fireweed is nearly as large as some corn varieties—so why would you sow it like turf?

Recommended Seeding Rates

For our Seed Mixes, we recommend a general seeding rate of 15 to 30 seeds per square foot:

• 15 seeds per sq ft if you're giving it regular care.
• 30 seeds per sq ft if the site is more exposed or harder to maintain.

If even one of those seeds establishes, that’s often enough once the plant reaches maturity.

Packaging & Photos

The photo above is a batch of our Dry/Rocky Seed Mix. Fluffy seeds like Dotted Blazing Star tend to sit on top, while the heavier, smaller seeds sink to the bottom. This is exactly why we hand-package each species into our mixes—so we can guarantee that every mix contains every wildflower listed on the envelope.

If you haven’t yet read What to Expect When Seeding Native Perennial Wildflower Mixes, we highly recommend checking it out.