Seed Germination Library

California Brome

Bromus carinatus · Poaceae

Quick-growing native brome used for erosion control and cover; good in restoration mixes.

• Pre: None
• Strat: Not required
• Light: Not required
• Temp: 15–22°C
• Days: 3–10 days
• Rate: High with fresh seed

Germination details

Region: CA, OR, WA· Habitat: Grasslands, open woodlands, roadsides, disturbed areas

Sowing notes: Sow 0.5–1 cm; easy starter species. Great as a “nurse grass” with slower natives.

California Oatgrass

Danthonia Cal · Poaceae

Placeholder

• Pre: Cold moist stratification
• Strat: 2–4 weeks @ ~1–5°C
• Light: Tolerates dark; light can help
• Temp: 15–20°C (room temp)
• Days: 7–21 days
• Rate: 40–80% (variable)

Germination details

Region: CA, OR, WA· Habitat: Placeholder

Sowing notes: Surface to 0.5 cm; keep evenly moist. Avoid waterlogging.

Sources:

• USDA PLANTS profile
• Local protocol (placeholder)

Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa · Poaceae

Clump-forming grass of moist meadows and stream edges; stays greener longer than many natives.

• Pre: Cold moist stratification (helps)
• Strat: 2–8 weeks @ ~1–5°C
• Light: Light can help (surface sow)
• Temp: 12–18°C
• Days: 10–30 days
• Rate: Moderate; can be slow

Germination details

Region: CA, OR, WA· Habitat: Wet meadows, seeps, riparian margins, montane openings

Sowing notes: Surface sow or barely cover; keep consistently moist. Best for wetter seed beds.

Blue wildrye

Elymus glaucus · Poaceae

Cool-season native bunchgrass common in coastal and foothill systems.

• Pre: Cold moist stratification
• Strat: 2–4 weeks @ ~1–5°C
• Light: Tolerates dark; light can help
• Temp: 15–20°C (room temp)
• Days: 7–21 days
• Rate: 40–80% (variable)

Germination details

Region: CA, OR, WA· Habitat: Open woodland, grassland edges, coastal scrub

Sowing notes: Surface to 0.5 cm; keep evenly moist. Avoid waterlogging.

Sources:

• USDA PLANTS profile
• Local protocol (placeholder)

California poppy

Eschscholzia californica · Papaveraceae

Annual/perennial forb; easy starter species for restoration mixes.

• Pre: None
• Strat: Not required
• Light: Light preferred
• Temp: 15–22°C
• Days: 7–14 days
• Rate: 60–90%

Germination details

Region: CA· Habitat: Grasslands, disturbed sites, coastal bluffs

Sowing notes: Sow shallow; do not bury deeply. Let soil surface dry slightly between mistings.

Prairie Junegrass

Koeleria macrantha · Poaceae

Fine-textured bunchgrass for dry prairies and open sites; tidy look and drought tolerant.

• Pre: Cold moist stratification (optional)
• Strat: 0–4 weeks @ ~1–5°C (optional)
• Light: Light can help (shallow sow)
• Temp: 15–20°C
• Days: 7–21 days
• Rate: Moderate; variable

Germination details

Region: CA, OR, WA· Habitat: Dry grasslands, open slopes, sandy or well-drained soils

Sowing notes: Surface to 0.5 cm; avoid burying deep. Likes well-drained seed beds.

Creeping Wildrye

Leymus triticoides · Poaceae

Spreading native grass that forms dense cover; excellent for stabilizing soils and wetter spots.

• Pre: Cold moist stratification (recommended)
• Strat: 2–6 weeks @ ~1–5°C
• Light: Not required
• Temp: 15–22°C
• Days: 7–21 days
• Rate: Moderate; improves with stratification

Germination details

Region: CA, OR· Habitat: Wet meadows, swales, riparian areas, seasonally moist flats

Sowing notes: Sow shallow; tolerates heavier soils. Good where moisture lingers into spring.

Purple Needlegrass

Nassella pulchra · Poaceae

Iconic California bunchgrass of valleys and foothills; deep-rooted and drought-tough once established.

• Pre: None to light stratification (helps uniformity)
• Strat: 0–4 weeks @ ~1–5°C (optional)
• Light: Not required
• Temp: 15–22°C
• Days: 5–21 days
• Rate: Moderate to high with fresh seed

Germination details

Region: CA (widespread)· Habitat: Grasslands, open foothills, well-drained soils

Sowing notes: Sow shallow (0–0.5 cm). Fall sowing mimics natural rains; avoid soggy soils.