• Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix native plant in bloom
  • Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix native plant in bloom
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Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix

Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix

$ 600.00
$ 600.00
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Quantity

Quick View - Seed Mix Specifications

Seeding Rate: 15 lb/acre (26.6 seeds/square foot)

Common Name Scientific Name % of Mix Seeds/ft2 Total
Grasses
Canada Wild Rye 		Elymus canadensis 62.67% 18.0 9.400 PLS lb
Virginia Wild Rye Elymus virginicus 37.33% 8.6 5.600 PLS lb

Substitutions may be necessary based on availability at the time of order.

Pure Live Seed

Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.

Pure Live Seed (PLS) refers to the percentage of a seed lot that consists of the desired species and is viable (capable of germination).   

Here's why PLS is crucial for native seeds:

  • Accurate Planting:
    • PLS helps determine the actual number of viable seeds in a given weight or volume of seed.   
    • This ensures you plant the correct amount of seed to achieve the desired density and success rate.   
  • Cost-Effectiveness:
    • By knowing the PLS, you can avoid overspending on seed that may not germinate.
    • This is especially important for native seeds, which can be more expensive than some cultivated varieties.
  • Weed Control:
    • PLS helps minimize the presence of weed seeds within the seed lot.
    • This reduces competition for resources and ensures the successful establishment of the desired native plants.
  • Ecological Restoration:
    • Using high-quality native seeds with a high PLS is essential for successful ecological restoration projects.
    • It helps to re-establish diverse and resilient plant communities that support local wildlife.

Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix (Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix) is a keystone Midwest native species highly prized by restoration ecologists, landscape architects, and home gardeners. Known for its strong ecological resilience, exceptional wildlife support, and a floristic high conservation value, this hardy perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade across dry to mesic soils. Whether you are creating a dedicated pollinator garden, stabilizing soil on slopes, or restoring remnant prairie and woodland acreage, Natural Communities supplies this species in dependable formats—including deep-cell live plugs, bare-root stock, individual seed packets, and bulk Pure Live Seed (PLS) by weight.

Comprehensive Ecological & Growth Specifications

Regional Native Status Native
Native Range (States) AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
Midwest & Regional County Distribution IL: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Kendall, Boone, Winnebago, DeKalb, LaSalle, Grundy; WI: Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Dane, Rock, Jefferson; IN: Lake, Porter, LaPorte
USDA Hardiness Zones Zone 3 - 8
Soil Moisture Range Dry to Mesic
Soil pH Range 5.5 - 7.5
Root Architecture & Depth Deep Fibrous / Taproot System (12+ Depth)
Deer & Wildlife Resistance High to Moderate
Drought Tolerance Medium
Larval Host Status Specialist Native Pollinators
Specialist Insects & Wildlife Support Native Solitary Bees, Songbirds (Winter Seed)
Recommended Plug Spacing 12 to 18 on-center
Seed Packet Coverage Covers 100 to 250 sq. ft.
Seeds Per Pound 100000.0
Broadcast Seeding Rate (PLS) 8.0 – 12.5 lbs/acre PLS
Drill Seeding Rate (PLS) 5.0 – 8.5 lbs/acre PLS
Recommended Cover Crop Oats (Spring @ 20–30 lbs/ac) or Winter Wheat (Fall @ 15–20 lbs/ac)

Botanical Profile & Ecological Characteristics

Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix plays a critical role in establishing healthy, diverse native plant communities throughout the Midwest. Adapted over thousands of years to regional climate patterns, seasonal temperature extremes, and variable moisture conditions, it develops a resilient root architecture (deep fibrous / taproot system (12"+ depth)) that builds soil organic matter, improves water infiltration, and resists environmental stress.

The mix consists of two native Rye grasses that germinates and grows quickly. This mix is a powerful tool in Fly-Wheel-Ecology and Integrated Pest Management to reduce herbicide use.

Also use it to help with the erosion of the soil and your precious seed.  Also, use this cover crop to help compete against weeds and as an indicator crop to help determine if your seeding was successful. It also can be used as a carrier to help spread seed more evenly.

We recommend seeding this for spring and summer installations as a cover crop and anytime as a carrier.  

Please contact us for Quantities larger than 20 lbs.

Faunal Associations & Specialist Wildlife Support

As a vital resource in native ecosystems, Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix provides essential sustenance across multiple trophic levels:

  • Larval Host & Pollinator Support: Specialist Native Pollinators.
  • Specialist Floral Visitors: Native Solitary Bees, Songbirds (Winter Seed).
  • Avian & Insect Forage: Flowers provide dense, accessible nectar and pollen during the peak growing season, followed by nutritious seed heads that feed native songbirds and overwintering wildlife.

Landscape Applications & Restoration Guidelines

Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix is well-suited for home landscaping borders, rain gardens, naturalized meadows, and conservation acreage alike.

  • Plug Spacing: Space live plugs approximately 12" to 18" on-center for optimal crown development and contiguous ground coverage.
  • Broadcast Seeding Rate: 8.0 – 12.5 lbs/acre PLS (when included in diverse prairie seed mixes).
  • Drill Seeding Rate: 5.0 – 8.5 lbs/acre PLS for agricultural or native seed drill installations.
  • Regional Provenance: Sourced and propagated from regionally adapted Midwest ecotypes for maximum ecological fitness and cold hardiness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the ideal growing conditions for Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix?
Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix performs best in full sun to partial shade with dry to mesic conditions. It thrives in authentic regional soil types ranging from sandy loam to well-drained clay loams.

How do I germinate and establish Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix from seed?
Seed of Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix has a germination code of C(30). For best results, sow seed in late fall/winter for natural outdoor freeze-thaw stratification, or cold-moist stratify in refrigeration for 30 to 60 days before spring indoor propagation.

Is Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix deer and herbivore resistant?
Yes. Native plants adapted to Midwestern habitats naturally produce protective secondary compounds and fibrous textures that make them highly resistant to deer, rabbits, and other grazing herbivores.

When should I expect Cover Crop - Native Rye Mix to emerge and bloom?
Established plants break dormancy in spring as soil temperatures warm, developing vigorous foliage before blooming in their seasonal window to provide vital nectar when native pollinators need it most.

Shipping & Care

Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.

We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance.  We hope you find it helpful.  If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.

Consultation Services

Ecosystem Restoration Considerations

Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices

Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices

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Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit

Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.

Book A Consultation And Get A Store Credit

Questions & Answers

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