Frozen Seed

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JHazzardB
Posts: 417
Joined: August 7th, 2012, 11:16 am
Location: OKC, OK
Grass Type: Front Yard: KBG blend. Back Bewitched/Nuglade
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Frozen Seed

Post by JHazzardB » July 22nd, 2019, 7:11 pm

Starting to think about overseeding. I ordered some grass seed (KBG blend) last year and my leftovers went straight into the freezer for safe keeping. Should I take the seed out early before putting it down in the yard this year? I don't know if it needs to slowly heat back up and get ready or just applied. Thanks in advance.

bpgreen
Posts: 3871
Joined: January 3rd, 2009, 2:28 am
Location: Utah (Wasatch Front)
Grass Type: Western, Streambank, Crested wheatgrass in front (with blue grama added in the heckstrips), sheep fescue in back; strawberry clovetr in both
Lawn Size: 3000-5000
Level: Experienced

Re: Frozen Seed

Post by bpgreen » July 24th, 2019, 3:45 pm

It wouldn't hurt, but I don't think it's necessary. I store seed in the freezer and don't thaw before spreading it.

southern-ct-4
Posts: 645
Joined: May 7th, 2018, 3:31 pm
Location: Southern CT (6b)
Grass Type: PR/FF/KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Frozen Seed

Post by southern-ct-4 » July 29th, 2019, 9:20 am

What are the advantages of freezing seed? I don't have an extra freezer to do so. I just leave it in my hot/cold (summer/winter) garage. Should I store it somewhere else? I'm ok with it just losing some potency over time if that's the worst that happens.

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andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Frozen Seed

Post by andy10917 » July 29th, 2019, 11:23 am

A cool basement is acceptable.

southern-ct-4
Posts: 645
Joined: May 7th, 2018, 3:31 pm
Location: Southern CT (6b)
Grass Type: PR/FF/KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Frozen Seed

Post by southern-ct-4 » July 29th, 2019, 11:25 am

Thank you.

Also, does it make any sense to dump it from the bag it came in (in the case of a big 50 lb bag) into a storage bin or homedepot buckets with lids, or something like that? Or just close up the bag as best I can and leave it?


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andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Frozen Seed

Post by andy10917 » July 29th, 2019, 11:44 am

The "Rubbermaid" containers with lids are great for storage.

southern-ct-4
Posts: 645
Joined: May 7th, 2018, 3:31 pm
Location: Southern CT (6b)
Grass Type: PR/FF/KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Frozen Seed

Post by southern-ct-4 » July 29th, 2019, 11:59 am

Great, thanks again!

JHazzardB
Posts: 417
Joined: August 7th, 2012, 11:16 am
Location: OKC, OK
Grass Type: Front Yard: KBG blend. Back Bewitched/Nuglade
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Experienced

Re: Frozen Seed

Post by JHazzardB » July 29th, 2019, 8:39 pm

For some weird reason, I'm picturing Andy staring at a 30 gallon rubbermaid container full of Emblem seed in his basement casually smiling to himself.

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andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Frozen Seed

Post by andy10917 » July 29th, 2019, 9:13 pm

Oh, but don't I wish it were "Emblem". Now, I didn't say that there was no "Blueberry" or "Bewitched" down there, did I...

bpgreen
Posts: 3871
Joined: January 3rd, 2009, 2:28 am
Location: Utah (Wasatch Front)
Grass Type: Western, Streambank, Crested wheatgrass in front (with blue grama added in the heckstrips), sheep fescue in back; strawberry clovetr in both
Lawn Size: 3000-5000
Level: Experienced

Re: Frozen Seed

Post by bpgreen » July 30th, 2019, 12:47 am

This doesn't apply to most seed, but since I plant mostly native grasses, there's an advantage to freezing (and thawing, then refreezing) seeds for me that probably doesn't help others.

Native grass seeds often have higher germination rates when they undergo refrigerated freeze/ thaw cycles. They naturally suppress germination for a certain percentage of seeds so that seeds can germinate when conditions are best. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles can trick more seeds into germinating in a given year.

I don't think this approach helps more traditional turf grass seeds.

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