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Native Seed Sale - Shrink Your Lawn

Native Seed Sale - Shrink Your Lawn

When: October 16 from 8:30am - 4:30pm
Where: Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District, 3311 Perkins Ave. Suite 100 Cleveland, OH 44114 map this

When most people think of the ideal lawn, they think of well-maintained, bright green turf grass. There are around 40 million acres of lawn in the United States, occupying about 2% of the surface of our country. We perceive a well-maintained lawn as aesthetically pleasing to the human eye, but they are not pleasing toward our environment. Due to modern development practices that scrape off or compact the topsoil layer, the area covered by most turf grass is a largely impervious (not penetrable) surface. Most rainwater flows directly off your lawn picking up soil and pollutants and depositing them into streams, ponds, wetlands, rivers and eventually Lake Erie. This is stormwater runoff pollution.

You can help combat stormwater pollution by shrinking your lawn! Planting native plants can improve the curb appeal of a home, boost its resale value, all while protecting our environment with their long root systems which hold in soil, slow stormwater runoff and provide vital food and habitat for birds, insect pollinators and many other species.

Purchase OPN Seed (formerly Ohio Prairie Nursery) native plant seed mixes and shrink your lawn a little or a lot!

Seed packets contain 1 PLS (Pure Live Seed) oz. of seed which is enough to cover 250 square feet. This mix of native grasses and wildflowers typically grows to a height of 3 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. All seeds are packaged by OPN Seed.

The native perennials in these mixes do require some patience to establish, but for instant gratification, consider adding some quick establishing annuals.

Resources:
Shrink Your Lawn brochure
Planting Instructions for your native seeds (directions on sowing seeds and expectations)
Ohio Prairie Nursery presentation about Native Seeds

Click on the name of the individual seed packet below for more information on the seeds included in just that packet.

MESIC WOODLAND EDGE seed packet - $16
Have a shady spot in your yard and don’t know what to do with it? This Mesic Woodland Edge packet is perfect for that area where you don’t think anything will grow. All of the species in this mix are native to Ohio and are commonly found on woodland edges and in open meadows. Lower light levels are welcome. Performs well in areas that are not too wet or dry.

RAIN GARDEN seed packet - $16
The Rain Garden native seed mix is composed of native grasses and wildflowers that can tolerate wet events and dry areas based on season and the amount of rainfall. Also filters stormwater runoff. The mix contains grasses, grass-like species and wildflowers. Beneficial and beautiful, the Rain Garden creates diverse color and is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Suggested reading: Rain Garden Manual for Homeowners

OHIO POLLINATOR OASIS seed packet - $16
Bring back the pollinators with a mix especially designed for Ohio, Indiana, Western Pennsylvania and Western New York. Mostly Wildflowers, this mix is designed to give pollinators a place to stop all season long and are regionally adapted and open pollinated. We’ve partnered with The Xerces Society and this neonicotinoid and pesticide free mix has their seal of approval.

BUTTERFLY/HUMMINGBIRD seed packet - $16
It doesn’t get better than this mix for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The three different species of milkweed contained in this mix are host plants for the migrating Monarch butterfly. Watch in amazement as they complete their life cycle on these plants and use them as a source of nectar. Hummingbirds will love the bright colors and tubular flowers. The grasses contained in this packet add structure and diversity. Perfect to get kids involved!

MIDWEST WILDFLOWER MIX - seed packet - $16
This mix is strictly wildflowers designed to provide first year color giving the perennials time to establish underneath.

ANNUAL SEED MIX - $13
This annual wildflower mix is composed of four native prairie flowers and two introduced species. It is great for quick color and can be used along or to augment existing areas for additional color.

HOW TO PURCHASE SEEDS:

On-line and shipped:
Seeds can be purchased on-line below with a credit card. Seeds will be shipped within a week of receiving the order.

**All sales are final, no refunds.

If you are tax-exempt, please contact Amy Roskilly at aroskilly@cuyahogaswcd.org to make your sale.

1. Mesic Woodland Edge seed packet
$16
quantity
2. Rain Garden seed packet
$16
quantity
3. Ohio Pollinator Oasis seed packet
$16
quantity
4. Butterfly/Hummingbird seed packet
$16
quantity
5. Midwest Wildflower Mix seed packet
$16
quantity
6. Annual Seed Mix
$13
quantity

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