FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Winter can be an especially difficult time for deer as well as many other wildlife species. Although deer have evolved to survive in even the harshest climates, a good, well-balanced feed providing protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins can help deer thrive through the winter months. Please be sure to abide by all laws and regulations regarding feeding of wildlife — the growth of the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has prompted several states to outlaw feeding of wildlife.

We offer an easy way for you to find a dealer or distributor in your area on our Where to Buy page.

A seed tag is a required label on any seed that is sold. Depending on what type of seed you purchase, the information can vary — typically including the variety, purity, germination percentage, and test date for the lot.

If there is no "Buy Now" button on a product page, we are either out of that item for the season, or we do not stock it in our online store. Please call our retail office for further assistance at 580-249-4449.

Check out our Sod Installation & Care Guide! If you still have questions, call us at 580-249-4449.

The ideal time to plant fescue and other cool season grasses is in the fall, but they can also be planted in early spring.

The ideal time to plant Bermuda and other warm season grasses is in the early summer. Bermuda requires a soil temperature of 65°F and rising.

It is best to fertilize your fescue when it is actively growing in the cooler seasons. A good rule of thumb is the months that have an R, with the exception of the coldest months: September–November, and February–April.

The best time to fertilize your Bermuda grass is in the warm growing season. A good rule of thumb is the months that do NOT have an R: May–August, with a winterizing fertilizer applied in early September.

A mole makes a tunnel under the surface that runs parallel to the ground surface. A gopher will make a mound with a hole in it above the surface of the ground. Moles are carnivores, seeking out and eating grubs — the best defense against moles is to eliminate grubs. Gophers are herbivores, eating the roots and grains of grasses. They require trapping or poison to control.

The best time to spray bagworms is in early summer, while they are still actively moving and feeding. Bagworms can be controlled with a wide variety of affordable chemicals such as permethrin, bifenthrin, and even neem oil if a more organic approach is desired. Oil-based options tend to have a longer residual; however, multiple applications may be required in some infestations.

Planting wildflower seeds is best done in late fall or early spring, in areas of moderate to good sun exposure. Lightly cultivate the site, spread seed, then rake topsoil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact — use care that seed is no more than 1/4" deep to promote best emergence. Water thoroughly and keep consistently moist until wildflowers begin to grow. Ideally, dormant growth should be left standing over winter to shelter pollinators; if maintenance must be done, mow or roll plants after they have matured completely, allowing clippings to remain on the seedbed. Always use caution when applying herbicides, considering possible effects on future and growing wildflowers.

Hulled and unhulled refer to whether the seed coat (the protective outer layer) has been removed. Hulled seeds have had their outer coat removed, making them easier to handle, sow, and germinate — removing the hull speeds germination by eliminating a barrier the seedling would otherwise penetrate. Unhulled seeds retain their natural coat: they take longer to germinate but are more hardy and less likely to sprout prematurely. The choice depends on the species, growing conditions, and personal preference.

Seed coating involves applying a protective layer or treatment to seeds before planting. Coatings protect seed from environmental stressors like temperature extremes, drought, pathogens, and pests; some contain nutrients, hormones, or microbial inoculants that enhance germination and seedling vigor; others incorporate fungicides or insecticides for disease and pest control. Coating also improves uniformity in size and weight, making seed easier to handle and plant precisely with mechanized equipment.

We are committed to transparent and fair pricing, and we have implemented a no-price-correction policy: once a purchase has been made and the transaction is completed, we do not make retroactive price adjustments or corrections, regardless of subsequent changes in the advertised price or promotions. Prices may occasionally change due to factors beyond our control such as supplier costs, economic conditions, or promotional events. If you have questions about pricing, please contact our customer service team.

It depends. For supplemental feed, a good, balanced protein pellet providing not only protein but also essential nutrients and vitamins is the top option. For plots and plantings, cowpeas provide a great deal of high-quality, protein-rich forage and are more drought-hardy than soybeans, though both are highly sought after and can be overgrazed during establishment. Soybeans perform better on higher-quality soils and can be planted in cooler soil temperatures. Other options include sunflowers, lab lab, sunn hemp, and sorghums.

Corn is most likely the cheapest feed alternative for deer, although cheap is not always best — corn provides decent carbohydrates and fat but is relatively low in protein and offers little overall nutritional benefit. A better alternative, though more costly, is a well-formulated, balanced feed providing protein, minerals, and vitamins; a 50/50 mix of feed and corn can reduce costs. When feeding corn, we highly recommend using grain that has been properly tested for aflatoxin. Please abide by all laws and regulations regarding feeding of wildlife.

The short answer is year-round — but a deer's protein requirements are highest when does have developing fawns and when bucks are re-growing antlers. Late winter through spring is the time of greatest requirement for pregnant does, and bucks begin antler re-growth soon after antler drop, so that's the time to offer a balanced feed with protein, minerals, and vitamins. Under normal conditions, nature provides abundant high-quality browse that meets deer's nutritional requirements.

A soil test is a great way to measure your soil's health and fertility, taking the guesswork out of fixing pH and nutrient issues in your soil's profile.

Instead of establishing a mowing schedule based on frequency, we recommend basing it on the length of your lawn's grass — each grass type has an ideal height it should be mowed to. Our general rule of thumb: never mow off more than 1/3 of the height of your lawn at any given time.

It depends! While we can supply general fertilizer recommendations based on the type of grass you have and the time of year, the most foolproof way to fertilize is to first get a soil test done. This lets you know what the fertility is like in your lawn and helps you determine what nutrients to apply to keep your lawn healthy and thriving. We also recommend the common lawn fertilizer application reference from Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

It is best to water your lawn as deeply and infrequently as possible. Turfgrass should be allowed to dry out to the point at which it begins showing signs of stress — wilting, turf turning a greyish-purple color, lack of resiliency, and more. When you do water, apply it as deeply into the profile as possible when you see signs of wilting. This infrequent routine helps develop a healthy, resilient turfgrass system!

Your lawn should receive irrigation water at a rate that does not exceed what your soil can absorb. Absorption depends on many factors like soil type, compaction and aeration, and soil structure — sandy soils hold very little water compared to loam or clay. Make sure soils have proper drainage to avoid prolonged periods of moisture; excess water causes many turfgrass problems, and run times should be adjusted so water does not run off.

It depends. Each species has its own suggested planting rate — the amount of seed needed to cover a specific area, usually given in pounds per 1,000 square feet. If you have your eye on a specific species we offer, the product detail page of that product will list the suggested planting rate for best results.

As a general rule of thumb, cool season grasses grow in the northern portion of the U.S. (bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass) and warm season grasses grow further south (bermudagrass, buffalograss). However, there are different growing regions in the U.S. that impact where grasses will thrive beyond north/south boundaries. Purdue University offers a great resource tool to help you identify the turfgrass species present in your lawn.

Many people with germination issues wonder if there was a problem with the seed — but that usually isn't the cause. State seed laws require us to monitor seed lot germination by sending samples to certified labs to verify germination standards. Many factors can keep seed from growing: planted when it was too hot or too cold, planted too deeply or not deep enough, too much or not enough water, or compacted soil. If you don't see a solution here, call our customer service line at 580-249-4449 or email johnseed@johnstonseed.com and we will work with you to find one.

Pure Live Seed (PLS) refers to the percentage of live, viable seed in a bulk amount of seed — the portion capable of developing into seedlings. PLS provides a standard for comparing lots of the same species with different germination and purity, and is calculated by multiplying percent germination by percent purity. Example: 98% purity × 90% germination = 88.2% — only 88.2 percent of that lot is capable of growing, so a 50-pound bulk bag would give you 44.1 pounds of live seed.

Most seeding rates are based on a set number of seeds over a certain area. When a coated seed is used, the seed size has been increased, so the rate should also be adjusted to accommodate the larger seed.

Due to the variability of broadcasting seed compared with the ability to calibrate a drill, seeding rates are often recommended to increase when using the broadcast method.

Yes! We offer our products to both U.S. and international customers. Learn more about where to buy our products on our Where to Buy page.

There are several ways you can purchase our products! Shop our online store 24/7; visit our headquarters in Enid, Oklahoma; or contact one of our authorized dealers and distributors for one-on-one support.

By logging in to our online store, you can track where we are in the order fulfillment process. Once we have shipped your order, you will receive tracking information.

"NPK" stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium ratings. These are chemicals used in fertilizers that help provide nutrients to a plant.

That depends — see the planting chart or the product detail page for the species you're planting, which lists the recommended seeding depth for best emergence.

Seed should be stored in a cool (not freezing), dry place with low humidity. When properly stored, some seeds can stay viable for years.

Seed coating is a covering applied to seeds that may contain fertilizer, growth promoters, or a seed treatment. Coating can also be used to increase the size and weight of the seed to aid in planting accuracy.

We grow many of the products we sell — particularly our specialty products. In addition, many of our employees, whether in sales, management, research or another department, are agronomists by trade. That means our employees must know the soil, the weather, the blotchy patch in the lawn, when to plant, prices, the number of square feet in an acre, and much more.

Before returning any purchases, please contact us at johnseed@johnstonseed.com for return authorization. All seeds returned for credit are charged a 15% restocking fee, and we reserve the right to refuse acceptance of any material returned for a refund. If a customer finds damage when unloading material, it is their responsibility to obtain the necessary verification from the carrier and file a claim accordingly.

For domestic orders, please allow 3–5 business days for in-stock items to be shipped. For international orders, please contact us at johnseed@johnstonseed.com for further information — due to various restrictions on shipping agricultural products internationally, special arrangements must be made, with the purchaser agreeing to pay the associated costs.

Customers must make any claims for errors involving shortage or omission in writing via email within 10 days after receipt of shipment. Liability is limited to replacement or refund of purchase price.