Some pure seed bags are not that innocent
12:50 p.m. Monday, September 15, 2008
Ask the 49 Garden Expert!
Whether you are an experienced gardener or a novice, KTKA and Jackson's Greenhouse wants to make it more fulfilling for you.
Dave Jackson, a garden expert at Jackson's Greenhouse and Garden Center, says that many consumers are unfamiliar with the concept of pure lawn seed.
" They go to the store, buy the lawn seed bag without reading the label," Jackson said. "Every bag of seed must have a label that explains what's in the bag and what should come up."
The buyer must familiarize himself with the label terminology. If the label says 95 percent pure seed and 85 percent germination, the return of pure live seed would be only 80 percent. Whereas 99 percent pure seed with 93 percent germination would result in 92 percent in pure live seed. "You could be planting a pound of weed in every bag of seed which you need to kill."
Since 50 pounds of seed cost $50, killing the weed would be waste of time and money.
Jackson adds that now is the perfect time to plant the seed.
Gardening Advice
See other interviews with a representative from Jackson's Greenhouse for more advice on gardening.
- Gardening Tip 24: Arrival of fall means more yard maintenance (October 27, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 23: Attack broadleaf weeds before it's too late (October 20, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 22: Next spring's weeds are making plans for your yard (October 13, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 21: Put your green thumbs to use in October (October 6, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 20: Don't assume flower growing season is over (Sept. 29, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 19: Lawn beautification starts with a simple test (Sept. 22, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 18: Some pure seed bags are not that innocent (Sept. 15, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 17: Got rotting tomatoes? The problem may be more than meets the eye (Sept. 8, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 16: Don't waste your money on crab grass killer (Aug. 25, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 15: Protecting your tomatoes (July 21, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 14: Weeding out grass look-a-likes (July 14, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 13: Combating plant-damaging beetles, bugs (July 7, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 12: Freeze threat over; check for soggy ground before planting (May 10, 2007)
- Gardening Tip 11: Don't get too anxious to start gardening (March 9, 2007)
- Gardening Tip 10: Start caring for your plants before weather warms up (February 8, 2007)
- Gardening Tip 9: Bring outdoors inside during cold weather (Nov. 20, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 8: To preserve your blooms, cover perennials at night (Oct. 12, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 7: Put down lawn seed by second week in October (Sept. 14, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 6: Moisture, fertilizer critical to beautiful lawns (Aug. 24, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 5: Soak your plants weekly (July 13, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 4: Water, fertilizer crucial during summer months (June 9, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 3: Hold off on planting fruits (May 11, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 2: Sow your seeds on Mother's Day (April 13, 2006)
- Spring time is almost here; get your greenthumb out (March 9, 2006)
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