Landscaper Lee Gilliam travels to eastern Washington state to see where the majority of Kentucky bluegrass seed comes from. He talks to a grass breeder, and the researcher then tours a grass seed-cleaning facility.
Washington is the Kentucky Bluegrass Capital
According to Dr. Michael Neff, 80% of the world’s Kentucky bluegrass seed is grown in eastern Washington, while 90% of it is grown in the Pacific Northwest. The climate of the PNW, especially eastern Washington, is ideal for growing grass seed because it’s dry, cool summers and mild, wet winters.
Grass Seed is Bred
Grass seed doesn’t just happen. It’s bred according to the needs of the producers and end users to learn more about what they’re looking for in their grass. Those attributes are then carefully cultivated into the seed production, providing thick, hardy grass that meets the criteria. Attributes like yield, salt tolerance, and drought resistance can be bred into grass seed.
The Grass Seed Process
The process of moving from grass growing in a field to seed for purchase involves several steps.
- The Grass is Cut
Grass is cut at night, when it’s cool, and the humidity rises. This keeps the seed moist, preventing it from drying out and dying during processing. The grass is left in piled rows to dry for a few days. - Combine Harvesting and Separation
Next, a combine tractor will scoop up the rows of dried grass and start the processing. These tractors can separate seed heads from the rest of the plant. These massive machines are so effective that they can mill grass down to 1 million seeds per pound. - Seed Cleaning
Once the separated seeds are taken to a plant facility, they’re put through a multi-stage process involving several types of machines. At each step, the seed is refined further, with husks, shells, and debris removed and separated. They ultimately pass through fine screens, where waste is further separated and removed from the seed. - Final Packaging
After testing, the seed is passed through another machine that fills seed bags (up to 400 per day). Once sealed, the bags head up a conveyor belt, where a robotic arm lifts and stacks them neatly on a pallet, which can then be wrapped in plastic for transport.
Resources
Dr. Michael Neff, a turfgrass researcher and professor at Washington State University, provided expert knowledge and assistance.
Filming locations and grass seed facility tour provided by Jason Miller, owner of Himark Farms Inc. in Connell, WA.
Paula Lundt of Washington State Department of Agriculture provided expert consultation and production connections.
