I have a lot of dumb questions bouncing around my head that I try to keep to myself, lol. I have been recently wondering about the feasibility of “blending the blends”, and what I mean by that is can I kick up the beneficial insect appeal by adding Green Covers pollinator mix to summer release or maybe add it to summer soil builder mix. I know they design their blends so the seeds have a synergistic affect on each other and messing with that could have unintended consequences. I also know that I don’t want to ask my absolutely goofy questions directly to Greencover, they have enough people asking legit questions without me asking hypothetical nonsense.
This morning I decided I would ask these burning questions of noted agronomist ChatGPT. I thought I would post a couple of the questions and responses here and just see what you all think. Here we go!
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Question: I am considering mixing two green cover seed mixes. is green cover summer soil builder mix compatible with the pollinator mix and at what seeding rate
Answer: Yes, Green Cover’s Summer Soil Builder Mix and the Pollinator Mix can be compatible, but the ideal seeding rate depends on your goals. Here’s a breakdown:
Compatibility Considerations
1. Growth Habit & Competition:
• The Summer Soil Builder Mix is designed for soil health improvement and includes species like cowpeas, sorghum-sudangrass, buckwheat, and sunflowers, which can grow aggressively.
• The Pollinator Mix consists of nectar-producing plants like clovers, phacelia, and wildflowers, which may be slower-growing and need space to establish.
• To prevent the Summer Soil Builder species from overwhelming the pollinators, adjust the seeding rates accordingly.
2. Timing & Climate:
• Both mixes contain warm-season species, making them suitable for summer planting.
• If your main goal is pollinators, reducing the more aggressive species in the Soil Builder Mix (like sorghum-sudangrass) can help balance competition.
Recommended Seeding Rates
• Summer Soil Builder Mix Full Rate: ~30–50 lbs/acre
• Pollinator Mix Full Rate: ~8–12 lbs/acre
Blended Seeding Rate Options
1. Balanced Approach (50/50 mix)
• 15–25 lbs/acre of Summer Soil Builder
• 4–6 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• This allows for good soil-building and pollinator-friendly species without excessive competition.
2. Pollinator-Focused (Higher Pollinators, Lower Soil Builder)
• 10–15 lbs/acre of Summer Soil Builder
• 6–10 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• This option prioritizes flowers and nectar sources while still benefiting from soil-building species.
3. Soil Health Focus (More Summer Soil Builder, Fewer Pollinators)
• 25–35 lbs/acre of Summer Soil Builder
• 2–4 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• This prioritizes biomass and nitrogen fixation while still offering some pollinator benefits.
Additional Tips
• Consider Row Spacing: If broadcasting, a balanced seeding rate works well, but if drilling, wider spacing (e.g., 7-10 inches) may help pollinator plants establish.
• Mow or Grazing Timing: If incorporating livestock or mowing for residue management, ensure you don’t cut before pollinators have had time to bloom.
• Adjust by Region & Soil Type: In drier or sandy soils, lower seeding rates may be better to reduce competition for water.
Would you like help customizing based on your specific location and goals?
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Question: I am considering mixing two green cover seed mixes. is green cover summer release mix compatible with the pollinator mix and at what seeding rate
Answer: Yes, Green Cover’s Summer Release Mix and the Pollinator Mix can be compatible, but adjustments in seeding rates will help balance competition between the two.
Compatibility Considerations
1. Growth Habits & Competition
• The Summer Release Mix is designed for regenerative soil health with diverse species, including cowpeas, sunflowers, buckwheat, sorghum-sudangrass, and millets, which can be aggressive growers.
• The Pollinator Mix includes flowers and nectar-producing species like clovers, phacelia, and wildflowers, which can take longer to establish.
• Without adjustments, species like sorghum-sudangrass and millet may outcompete the pollinator plants, so careful rate balancing is key.
2. Timing & Climate Suitability
• Both mixes contain warm-season species, making them compatible for summer planting.
• If the primary goal is supporting pollinators, reducing high-biomass species (e.g., sorghum-sudangrass) will help prevent them from overshadowing flowering plants.
Recommended Seeding Rates
• Summer Release Mix Full Rate: ~30–50 lbs/acre
• Pollinator Mix Full Rate: ~8–12 lbs/acre
Blended Seeding Rate Options
1. Balanced Approach (50/50 mix)
• 15–25 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 4–6 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• Maintains a good mix of soil health and pollinator species without excessive competition.
2. Pollinator-Focused (Higher Pollinators, Lower Summer Release Mix)
• 10–15 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 6–10 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• This option prioritizes flowering species while still benefiting from the soil-enhancing components.
3. Soil Health Focus (More Summer Release Mix, Less Pollinators)
• 25–35 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 2–4 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• Focuses on biomass production and nitrogen fixation while still including some pollinator-friendly plants.
Additional Tips
• Spacing Adjustments:
• If broadcasting, a balanced mix works well.
• If drilling, wider row spacing (e.g., 7–10 inches) can help pollinator species establish.
• Manage Competition:
• Mowing or grazing at a high level early can suppress aggressive species and encourage flowers to bloom.
• Soil & Climate Considerations:
• In dry or sandy soils, lower seeding rates will reduce competition for moisture.
• In wetter, fertile soils, slightly increasing the pollinator mix can improve floral diversity.
Would you like help fine-tuning based on your location, soil type, or specific goals?
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
I added a couple things to my last search. I gave it my USDA zone and told it what I plant with. The main change in the information is it gave me planting timeframe advice.
Question: I am in USDA Zone 5. Any planting will be done with a Woods PSS84 seeder. I am considering mixing two green cover seed mixes. is green cover summer release mix compatible with the game bird mix and at what seeding rate.
Answer: Yes, Green Cover’s Summer Release Mix and Game Bird Mix are compatible, but the seeding rates should be adjusted for optimal balance.
Compatibility Considerations
1. Growth Habits & Competition
• The Summer Release Mix is designed for soil health and includes species like cowpeas, sunflowers, buckwheat, sorghum-sudangrass, and millet, which provide good biomass but can be aggressive.
• The Game Bird Mix includes grains and flowering plants like millets, sorghum, sunflowers, and legumes, which overlap with Summer Release but also add more targeted wildlife benefits.
• The shared species (e.g., sunflowers, millet, sorghum) make them naturally compatible, but adjusting seeding rates will prevent excessive competition.
2. Goals (Soil Health vs. Wildlife Habitat)
• For Soil Health Focus: More Summer Release Mix to boost nitrogen fixation, organic matter, and weed suppression.
• For Game Birds & Wildlife: A higher percentage of Game Bird Mix ensures better cover, food sources, and habitat.
3. Seeding Considerations for USDA Zone 5
• Warm-season species like millet and sorghum will perform well if planted after soil temps reach 60°F (typically late May–early June).
• Using your Woods PSS84 Seeder, you can achieve better establishment with consistent depth placement, preventing seed competition.
Recommended Seeding Rates
• Summer Release Mix Full Rate: ~30–50 lbs/acre
• Game Bird Mix Full Rate: ~25–40 lbs/acre
Blended Seeding Rate Options
1. Balanced Approach (Even Mix)
• 15–25 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 12–20 lbs/acre of Game Bird Mix
• Provides good soil health benefits while maintaining strong game bird habitat.
2. Wildlife-Focused (More Game Bird Mix)
• 10–20 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 20–35 lbs/acre of Game Bird Mix
• Prioritizes food and cover for birds while still supporting soil health.
3. Soil Health Focus (More Summer Release Mix)
• 25–35 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 10–15 lbs/acre of Game Bird Mix
• Prioritizes biomass, nitrogen fixation, and erosion control while still providing some wildlife benefits.
Additional Tips for USDA Zone 5 & Woods PSS84 Seeder
• Seeding Depths:
• Sorghum & millet: ¼–½ inch deep
• Sunflowers & cowpeas: ½–1 inch deep
• Your Woods PSS84 Seeder should handle these well, but ensure calibration for different seed sizes.
• Timing:
• Plant after last frost (typically late May–early June).
• If aiming for game bird attraction in fall, planting in early to mid-June will ensure seed production by late summer.
• Row Spacing:
• Keep 7–10 inch row spacing to allow for wildlife movement while maintaining good ground cover.
Would you like specific adjustments based on your land’s conditions or wildlife goals?
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Thought you all might enjoy this. Let me know what you think about this.
This morning I decided I would ask these burning questions of noted agronomist ChatGPT. I thought I would post a couple of the questions and responses here and just see what you all think. Here we go!
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Question: I am considering mixing two green cover seed mixes. is green cover summer soil builder mix compatible with the pollinator mix and at what seeding rate
Answer: Yes, Green Cover’s Summer Soil Builder Mix and the Pollinator Mix can be compatible, but the ideal seeding rate depends on your goals. Here’s a breakdown:
Compatibility Considerations
1. Growth Habit & Competition:
• The Summer Soil Builder Mix is designed for soil health improvement and includes species like cowpeas, sorghum-sudangrass, buckwheat, and sunflowers, which can grow aggressively.
• The Pollinator Mix consists of nectar-producing plants like clovers, phacelia, and wildflowers, which may be slower-growing and need space to establish.
• To prevent the Summer Soil Builder species from overwhelming the pollinators, adjust the seeding rates accordingly.
2. Timing & Climate:
• Both mixes contain warm-season species, making them suitable for summer planting.
• If your main goal is pollinators, reducing the more aggressive species in the Soil Builder Mix (like sorghum-sudangrass) can help balance competition.
Recommended Seeding Rates
• Summer Soil Builder Mix Full Rate: ~30–50 lbs/acre
• Pollinator Mix Full Rate: ~8–12 lbs/acre
Blended Seeding Rate Options
1. Balanced Approach (50/50 mix)
• 15–25 lbs/acre of Summer Soil Builder
• 4–6 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• This allows for good soil-building and pollinator-friendly species without excessive competition.
2. Pollinator-Focused (Higher Pollinators, Lower Soil Builder)
• 10–15 lbs/acre of Summer Soil Builder
• 6–10 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• This option prioritizes flowers and nectar sources while still benefiting from soil-building species.
3. Soil Health Focus (More Summer Soil Builder, Fewer Pollinators)
• 25–35 lbs/acre of Summer Soil Builder
• 2–4 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• This prioritizes biomass and nitrogen fixation while still offering some pollinator benefits.
Additional Tips
• Consider Row Spacing: If broadcasting, a balanced seeding rate works well, but if drilling, wider spacing (e.g., 7-10 inches) may help pollinator plants establish.
• Mow or Grazing Timing: If incorporating livestock or mowing for residue management, ensure you don’t cut before pollinators have had time to bloom.
• Adjust by Region & Soil Type: In drier or sandy soils, lower seeding rates may be better to reduce competition for water.
Would you like help customizing based on your specific location and goals?
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Question: I am considering mixing two green cover seed mixes. is green cover summer release mix compatible with the pollinator mix and at what seeding rate
Answer: Yes, Green Cover’s Summer Release Mix and the Pollinator Mix can be compatible, but adjustments in seeding rates will help balance competition between the two.
Compatibility Considerations
1. Growth Habits & Competition
• The Summer Release Mix is designed for regenerative soil health with diverse species, including cowpeas, sunflowers, buckwheat, sorghum-sudangrass, and millets, which can be aggressive growers.
• The Pollinator Mix includes flowers and nectar-producing species like clovers, phacelia, and wildflowers, which can take longer to establish.
• Without adjustments, species like sorghum-sudangrass and millet may outcompete the pollinator plants, so careful rate balancing is key.
2. Timing & Climate Suitability
• Both mixes contain warm-season species, making them compatible for summer planting.
• If the primary goal is supporting pollinators, reducing high-biomass species (e.g., sorghum-sudangrass) will help prevent them from overshadowing flowering plants.
Recommended Seeding Rates
• Summer Release Mix Full Rate: ~30–50 lbs/acre
• Pollinator Mix Full Rate: ~8–12 lbs/acre
Blended Seeding Rate Options
1. Balanced Approach (50/50 mix)
• 15–25 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 4–6 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• Maintains a good mix of soil health and pollinator species without excessive competition.
2. Pollinator-Focused (Higher Pollinators, Lower Summer Release Mix)
• 10–15 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 6–10 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• This option prioritizes flowering species while still benefiting from the soil-enhancing components.
3. Soil Health Focus (More Summer Release Mix, Less Pollinators)
• 25–35 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 2–4 lbs/acre of Pollinator Mix
• Focuses on biomass production and nitrogen fixation while still including some pollinator-friendly plants.
Additional Tips
• Spacing Adjustments:
• If broadcasting, a balanced mix works well.
• If drilling, wider row spacing (e.g., 7–10 inches) can help pollinator species establish.
• Manage Competition:
• Mowing or grazing at a high level early can suppress aggressive species and encourage flowers to bloom.
• Soil & Climate Considerations:
• In dry or sandy soils, lower seeding rates will reduce competition for moisture.
• In wetter, fertile soils, slightly increasing the pollinator mix can improve floral diversity.
Would you like help fine-tuning based on your location, soil type, or specific goals?
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
I added a couple things to my last search. I gave it my USDA zone and told it what I plant with. The main change in the information is it gave me planting timeframe advice.
Question: I am in USDA Zone 5. Any planting will be done with a Woods PSS84 seeder. I am considering mixing two green cover seed mixes. is green cover summer release mix compatible with the game bird mix and at what seeding rate.
Answer: Yes, Green Cover’s Summer Release Mix and Game Bird Mix are compatible, but the seeding rates should be adjusted for optimal balance.
Compatibility Considerations
1. Growth Habits & Competition
• The Summer Release Mix is designed for soil health and includes species like cowpeas, sunflowers, buckwheat, sorghum-sudangrass, and millet, which provide good biomass but can be aggressive.
• The Game Bird Mix includes grains and flowering plants like millets, sorghum, sunflowers, and legumes, which overlap with Summer Release but also add more targeted wildlife benefits.
• The shared species (e.g., sunflowers, millet, sorghum) make them naturally compatible, but adjusting seeding rates will prevent excessive competition.
2. Goals (Soil Health vs. Wildlife Habitat)
• For Soil Health Focus: More Summer Release Mix to boost nitrogen fixation, organic matter, and weed suppression.
• For Game Birds & Wildlife: A higher percentage of Game Bird Mix ensures better cover, food sources, and habitat.
3. Seeding Considerations for USDA Zone 5
• Warm-season species like millet and sorghum will perform well if planted after soil temps reach 60°F (typically late May–early June).
• Using your Woods PSS84 Seeder, you can achieve better establishment with consistent depth placement, preventing seed competition.
Recommended Seeding Rates
• Summer Release Mix Full Rate: ~30–50 lbs/acre
• Game Bird Mix Full Rate: ~25–40 lbs/acre
Blended Seeding Rate Options
1. Balanced Approach (Even Mix)
• 15–25 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 12–20 lbs/acre of Game Bird Mix
• Provides good soil health benefits while maintaining strong game bird habitat.
2. Wildlife-Focused (More Game Bird Mix)
• 10–20 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 20–35 lbs/acre of Game Bird Mix
• Prioritizes food and cover for birds while still supporting soil health.
3. Soil Health Focus (More Summer Release Mix)
• 25–35 lbs/acre of Summer Release Mix
• 10–15 lbs/acre of Game Bird Mix
• Prioritizes biomass, nitrogen fixation, and erosion control while still providing some wildlife benefits.
Additional Tips for USDA Zone 5 & Woods PSS84 Seeder
• Seeding Depths:
• Sorghum & millet: ¼–½ inch deep
• Sunflowers & cowpeas: ½–1 inch deep
• Your Woods PSS84 Seeder should handle these well, but ensure calibration for different seed sizes.
• Timing:
• Plant after last frost (typically late May–early June).
• If aiming for game bird attraction in fall, planting in early to mid-June will ensure seed production by late summer.
• Row Spacing:
• Keep 7–10 inch row spacing to allow for wildlife movement while maintaining good ground cover.
Would you like specific adjustments based on your land’s conditions or wildlife goals?
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Thought you all might enjoy this. Let me know what you think about this.
