Grass Mixes

Teller-Park Soil Conservation District
112 South Baldwin Street
Woodland Park, CO  80863
by Leon Kot

The following pages represent some of the mixes and prices of grass seed that the Teller/Park Soil Conservation District recommends and sells.  If you would like to order any of these mixes or any other type of grass seed, please contact our office phone number 719-686-9405 or visit 112 South Baldwin, Woodland Park, CO, 80863.  Other mixes are available, including custom mixes. 

Recommended amount per acre is 6-10 lbs./ac. (drilled) or 10-15 lbs./ac (broadcast).  For critical areas (bare soil) 20-25 lbs./ac.


Additional Notes on Seeding:
The Low Grow/High Altitude and the Transition Turf Mix will provide the proper proportion of Pure Live Seed (PLS) per acre if they are both used at half their normal PLS rate, which when combined together will yield the correct amount.  For example:

A bare ground planting for a yard/lawn measures 250 feet long and 85 feet wide.  The product of these distances is 21,250 square feet.  This amount, divided by 43,560 (the amount of square feet in an acre) is equal to just under a half acre in size (.49 of an acre).  This area would require, on a bare ground planting, one half of the normal 20 to 25 PLS pounds of seed per acre to adequately cover the ground once the seed germinates.  So, 6 lbs. of the Low Grow/High Altitude Mix and 6 lbs. of the Transition Turf, would provide the minimum amount of seed to plant.  These seeds could be mixed together and then hand seeded or spread with a push type seed or fertilizer spreader; or they could be applied singly with two trips over the ground to be seeded.  Some of the larger sized seeds will not flow properly thru hand held, whirlwind type seeders, so hand spreading is typically the way to broadcast seed in an area.

Lightly raking in the seed and/or using a grass or other suitable mulch to cover the seed, is recommended.  Steep ground that is prone to rilling would benefit by the installation of jute netting over the mulch, or erosion control (cellulose) blankets, and where necessary, straw bale dikes or earthen berms in likely drainage channels.  Suitable ditches or pipe drops may have to be installed, with proper outlets, on steep yards or driveways, as well.

The Teller/Park Soil Conservation District has other information sheets and booklets available as well.  Please give us a call.

Back to top

General Purpose Plantings, including Lawn Turfgrass Mixes

Where a low maintenance, natural cover or lawn is the goal, Arizona fescue, Mountain brome, and of the native wheatgrass (Western or slender) are highly recommended for any mix but their cost may preclude their use.  These species are preferable to introduced grasses as they are locally adapted and hardy.  However, introduced grasses are cheaper, easier and quicker to establish than natives.

Any turfgrass mix with various species such as Canada, Plains or even Kentucky bluegrass: Hard, Red or Sheep Fescue; and a quality ryegrass should provide, at a reasonable price, both a quick ground cover and a long term durability when properly planted and protected.  If a quick ground cover is not needed, eliminate ryegrass from the mix and increase the proportions of the other species.

Wet areas in a natural setting would benefit from the addition of Timothy, Meadow or Smooth bromegrass; while drier or higher elevation areas would benefit by seeding Smooth brome and Mountain brome, respectively.  Smooth brome is very aggressive, though.

Mountain brome and Smooth brome on most sites are locally adapted--smooth brome can be used for upland type plantings and is reasonably priced.  These bromes do not make for a nice looking turfgrass, however, they are our most successfully planted species.  Typical turfgrasses--include some varieties of Kentucky bluegrass which require a lot of water, fertilizer, and maintenance.  Canada bluegrass and some of the native bluegrass varieties don't usually require these.

Back to top

Dryland Pasture Forage Mix

For small acreage's that may have a few horses or other livestock present, many of the above listed grasses are suitable, with the stipulation that Mountain brome and/or Mountain Muhly be included in a mix if the pasture is large enough to prevent overgrazing.  When overgrazing occurs, it is more economical to forego constant replanting and supply more hay and feed.  The comments about wet, dry or higher elevation areas mentioned previously also apply in grazing situations.

Back to top

Aesthetic/Wildlife Considerations

For decorative type (non-grazing and non-mowing) plantings where flowers are desired, Rocky Mountain penstemon, Palmer penstemon and Scarlet trumpet are adapted most sites.  You can also plant a Mountain-type mixture.  For wildlife plantings, legumes such as Birdsfoot Trefoil, Sainfoin, or Cicer Milkvetch should be tried, making sure the seed scarified prior to planting.

Back to top

Grass Seed Mix Price List
All prices are subject to market variations and availability

 

(Sharp Bros. Seed)

Under 200 lbs.

200 lbs. to 500 lbs.

Over 500 lbs.

Low Grow High Altitude           5-10#/1000 sq. ft.
20% Sheep Fescue
30% Crested Wheatgrass
15% Canada Bluegrass
25% Perennial Rye
10% Chewings Fescue

$2.35

$2.25

$2.15

Low Maintenance Turf Mix 3-5#/1000 sq. ft.
20% Hard Fescue
20% Chewings Fescue
20% Creeping Red Fescue
15% Kentucky Blue, Parkland
15% Perennial Rye
10% Kentucky Blue, Arglye

$1.50

$1. 45

$1.40

Transition Turf Mix
50-60#/acre
50% Smooth Brome, Lincoln
20% Perennial Ryegrass, Linn
20% Tall Fescue
10% Canada Bluegrass

$1.25

$1.20

$1.15

Economy Dryland Pasture Mix (PMN) 11
10-15#/acre
15% Orchardgrass, Paiute
15% Smooth Brome, Lincoln
15% Perennial Ryegrass, Tetraploid
15% Intermediate Wheatgrass
15% Crested Wheatgrass, Hycrest
15% Dahurian Wildrye
10% Crested Wheatgrass Nordan

$1.65

$1.60

$1.55

Economy Dryland Pasture Mix (PMG)
10-15#/acre
20% Orchardgrass, Paiute
20% Smooth Brome, Lincoln
15% Perennial Ryegrass, Tetraploid
15% Crested Wheatgrass, Hycrest
15% Crested Wheatgrass, Nordan
10% Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover
5% Alfalfa, Ladak

$1.75

$1.70

$1.65

Wildflower Mixtures
Mountain Mixture

$2.50/oz.

$40.00/lb.

 

Note:  Sharp Bros. Seed Co. has their own delivery truck which makes trips to our area every couple of
weeks.  No charge for freight if they use their truck.  If we need a delivery sooner, Sharp Bros. will fed
express, but we have to pay the freight.


 
 

(Pawnee Buttes Seed)

100# or more

Less than 100#

Less than 50#

Low Grow Mix
25% Canby Bluegrass
25% Canada Bluegrass
25% Creeping Red Fescue
25% Sheep Fescue

$3.78

$5.18

$6.43

Mountain Mix
15% Slender Wheatgrass
15% Mountain Bromegrass
10% Canada Bluegrass
15% Orchardgrass
5% Timothy
5% Red Top
10% Winter Wheat
15%  Sheep Fescue
5% Whitedutch Clover
5% Alsike Clover

$2.28

$3.62

$4.87

Dry Mountain Mix
15% Slender Wheatgrass
20% Sheep Fescue
10% Streambank Wheatgrass
10% Bluebunch Wheatgrass
20% Mountain Bromegrass
5% Sandburg Bluegrass
5% Blue Grama
15% Western Wheatgrass

$6.30

$7.81

$9.06

Foothills Native Mix
10% Blue Grama
10% Western Wheatgrass
10% Sideoats Grama
10% Little Bluestem
10% Thickspike Wheatgrass
10% Indian Ricegrass
10% Slender Wheatgrass
10% Big Bluestem
10% Sheep Fescue
10% Bluebunch Wheatgrass

$10.20

$11.25

$12.00

Note: For 500 lbs or more--Freight included, less than 500 lbs--Freight charged
Back to top