planting seeds in clay soil The "I Have Clay Soil" Native Seed Mix

planting seeds in clay soil The "I Have Clay Soil" Native Seed MixOne of the questions we get a lot is "What mix do I plant in my clay soils?" But, what is clay soil? Let's define it Clay soils are just soils that have a higher percentage of clay particles than silt or sand. Clay particles are smaller than silt and sand and tend to pack together which causes water to pool after rain events or from melted snow and runoff. Compaction from pedestrians or machines can exaggerate this packing of clay particles making the

One of the questions we get a lot is "What mix do I plant in my clay soils?" But, what is clay soil? Let's define it...

Clay soils are just soils that have a higher percentage of clay particles than silt or sand. Clay particles are smaller than silt and sand and tend to pack together which causes water to pool after rain events or from melted snow and runoff. Compaction from pedestrians or machines can exaggerate this packing of clay particles making the soil almost impenetrable to water. Clay soils can range from marginally clay dominant soils to almost all clay soils. OPN Seed's Clay Soil Mix is good for most areas where clay soils are found. The native species are adapted to grow in these soils and should do so.

Some things to remember:

Please keep in mind that this mix will take 2 to 3 growing seasons to fully establish and may display stunted growth as it works to establish. There are always exceptions and where this mix will grow is no different.

If the soil is very compacted, you may need to break it up before seeding. Contact us if you have questions about this.

If your soils are so clay based and compacted that they hold water like a swimming pool for weeks and months at a time and you can play a pickup basketball game on the other parts, you may need to amend the soils before planting.

Contacting your county Soil and Water Conservation District to get a soil test conducted may be a good idea in certain circumstances.

In most cases where these areas pool water for a few days and then it drains into the soil, this is your mix! Contact us if you have questions. We're here to help!

Contains the following species: 

Grass and Grasslike Species:

Elymus virginicus - Virginia Wild Rye 

Bouteloua curtipendula - Side-oats Grama

Schizachyrium scoparium - Little Bluestem

Panicum (Dichanthelium) clandestinum - Deer-tongue Grass

Carex vulpoinoidea - Brown Fox Sedge 

Carex brevoir - Plains Oval Sedge

Scirpus atrovirens - Dark Green Bulrush

Wildflowers:

Senna hebecarpa - Wild Senna

Coreopsis lanceolata - Lanceleaf Coreopsis

Chamaecrista fasciculata - Partridge Pea

Echinacea purpurea - Purple Coneflower

Astragalus canadensis - Canadian Milk Vetch

Bidens aristosa - Tickseed Sunflower

Dalea purpurea - Purple Prairie Clover 

Rudbeckia hirta - Black-eyed Susan

Senna marilandica - Maryland Senna

Zizia aurea - Golden Alexanders

Dalea candida - White Prairie Clover

Allium cernuum - Nodding Wild Onion

Aster pilosus - Frost Aster

Aster novae-angliae - New England Aster

Liatris pycnostachya - Prairie Blazingstar

Tradescantia ohiensis - Ohio Spiderwort

Rudbeckia subtomentosa - Sweet Black-eyed Susan

Ammannia coccinea - Scarlet Toothcup

Solidago nemoralis - Old Field Goldenrod

Lobelia cardinalis - Cardinal Flower

Seed Info

PLS Lbs. Per Acre Broadcast=12

PLS=Pure Live Seed

Pure Live Seed is a measure of viable seed stated as a percentage. It is the product of total germination times purity.

Example: 96% Germination x 93% Purity = 89% PLS

All of our native warm season grasses and seed mixes are sold PLS.

Broadcast Seeding is the process of sowing seed by hand. The seeds are sprinkled into the soil and can be lightly raked in to ensure germination.

This mix of native grasses and wildflowers typically grows to a height of 2 to 5 feet. Please note that each site is unique and that several factors can affect overall height. These factors include sunlight, hydrology and overall soil health.

Product Details

Flower Color: Green, Yellow, Purple, White

Height: 2 to 5 Feet

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade (At least 4 to 6 hours a day)

Soil Hydrology: Dry to Wet Soils

Bloom Time: May through October

Plant Type: Annual/Perennial

Attracts: Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Humans

Suggested USDA Planting Zones: 3-7

Product Code: CSHM01

Color Boosters

The native perennials in your mix do require some patience to establish, but for instant gratification consider adding any of these quick establishing annuals. They're perfect pollinators plants, too!

Partridge Pea

Tickseed Sunflower

Cover Crops and Seed Carriers

Do you need a cover crop?

Know where you sow! Add some Rice Hulls to your order!