How Much Seed Do I Need?

It’s important to plant the recommended amount of seed for the best results - not too much, not too little. Read on for expert tips from The Seed Man! 

Jump to a section to dig in: 

1. Measure Your Space & Calculate Square Footage
2. Check Your Seed Coverage Rate
3. Sow The Right Amount Of Seed
4. Store Extra Seed
5. Expert Tips For Calculating Seed Mixes

After you've determined how much seed you need, read our Wildflower Seed Planting Guide or Grass & Groundcover Planting Guide for the best results. 

Measure the area where you will plant your seeds and calculate the square footage of your planting area. 

For Squares or Rectangles:

• Measure the length and width of the planting area in feet. 
• Calculate the square footage: length x width = square feet
• Example: a rectangular meadow measures 30 ft x 50 ft. Multiply 30 x 50 = 1500 sq ft

For Circles:

• Measure the diameter, or the width of the circle. 
• Divide by 2 for the radius.
• Calculate the square footage: 3.14 x radius x radius = square feet
• Example: a circular meadow measures 30 ft across, so its radius is 15 ft. Multiply 3.14 x 15 x 15 = 697.5 sq ft.

(The mathematical formula for the area of a circle is Π · r2. The Π symbol, pronounced “pi”, represents approximately 3.14, and r2 stands for radius squared.)

Acreage In Square Feet

Know your yard or meadow size in acreage, rather than square feet? Below is a reference for square footage per acre.

• 1/10 Acre = 4,356 sq ft 
• 1/4 Acre = 10,890 sq ft 
• 1/2 Acre = 21,780 sq ft 
• 1 Acre = 43,560 sq ft

Now that you know how much space to fill, reference the seed coverage rates for your seeds. This information is listed under the “Key Features” of every product page.

Individual Wildflower Species, Grass Seeds & Groundcover Seeds:

The coverage rates vary greatly for individual wildflower species and all grass, lawn, and groundcover seeds. Be sure to check the product page for details of your coverage range.

For example: 
Microclover = 1 lb covers 1,000 sq ft
Zinnia Seed Mix =  1 lb covers 4,000 sq ft
Red Poppy Seed Mix =  1 lb covers 21,780 sq ft

Coverage Rates For Wildflower Seed Mixes: 

All of our wildflower seed mixes are conveniently formulated with the same coverage rates. Reference the table below.

• 1/4 lb covers 250 - 500 sq. ft.
• 1/2 lb covers 500 - 1,000 sq. ft.
• 1 lb covers  1,000 - 2,000 sq. ft.
• 5 lbs covers 5,000 - 10,000 sq. ft.
• 10 lbs covers 10,000 - 25,000 sq. ft.

Coverage Rates For Acreage & Large Plantings

1/10 Acre = 4,356 sq ft (2.25 - 4.5 lbs of wildflower seed mix - see charts for grass & species)

1/4 Acre = 10,890 sq ft (5.5 - 10.5 lbs of wildflower seed mix - see charts for grass & species)

1/2 Acre = 21,780 sq ft (10.5 - 21.5 lbs of wildflower seed mix - see charts for grass & species)

1 Acre = 43,560 sq ft (21.5 - 43 lbs of wildflower seed mix - see charts for grass & species)

Expert Tips For Seed Coverage:

• The coverage rate for wildflower seed mixes shows a range, which depends on the flower display you want, as well as your growing conditions. 
• Plant on the side of more seed if your budget allows, for a lush meadow with dense wildflower planting.
• Plant on the lower side of the range for a more affordable option or for a more natural look.
• If you have a large site, from 1/2 acres or more, the site conditions will affect the amount of seed you need. If you have heavy weeds on the site now, some erosion, or generally poor soil, planting on the side of more seed is a good choice. If your site does have these problems and you want full coverage, use 1 pound per 1000 sq. ft.
• In large meadows, the installation and preparation for a successful meadow can be a big investment, so having adequate seed or even some extra is a good insurance policy for your project.

After you've determined how much seed you need, read our Wildflower Seed Planting Guide or Grass & Groundcover Planting Guide for the best results. 

It’s important to plant the recommended amount of seed for the best results. 

Too little seed, and your planting will be sparse, which can make room for opportunistic weeds to sprout.

Too much seed, and your seedlings may be crowded, resulting in poor growth and flowering.

Remember, more seed does not always mean more blooms! It may be very tempting to throw extra seed down, but this usually brings the opposite effect. 

If you have some extra seed, it is easy to store for future planting. Extra seed will come in very handy for filling in your meadow as it matures, or filling bare patches if you find them in your meadow in the future.

Learn More: How To Add Seed To Your Meadow

How To Store Seeds

• Simply place the seed in a resealable plastic bag or storage bin and label it clearly.
• Store in a dry, dark space that’s cool or room-temperature. A dark closet or room is the perfect storage area, as long as the seed is not exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures.
• Seed will keep like this for months and maintain a high germination rate.
• Reserve some seed to fill in your meadow as it matures.