Ernst Seeds
Helping restore the native landscape for over 50 years
Founded by Calvin Ernst in 1964, Ernst Conservation Seeds is the largest native seed producer and supplier in the eastern United States.
Find the exact seeds you need for your project using the advanced search and filtering options of our Seed Finder Tool:
Browse all seed mixes and find the one you need using the advanced search and filtering options of our Seed Finder Tool:
PLS refers to the percentage of live seed by weight in a seed lot having the potential to develop into a seedling. Live seed refers to the germination percent, dormant seed and hard seed. The remaining seed in the lot contains inert matter, other crops and/or weed seeds and is not viable.
Pure Seed – Viable and non-viable seed of the desired species.
% Purity – Percentage of pure seed by weight.
% Germination – Percent of seed by weight having the potential to germinate relatively quickly.
% Total Germination – Percent of seed by weight composed of hardseed, dormant seed, and germination percentage having the potential to produce a seedling.
% Hard Seed – Percent of viable seed having a hard seed coat that can take longer to break and germinate.
% Dormant Seed – Percent of viable seed taking longer to germinate, other than hard seed.
% Nonviable Seed – Percent of seed that will not germinate.
% Inert Matter – Material other than seed.
Viable Seed – Pure seed having the potential to produce a seedling.
Weed Seed – Seeds or other reproductive parts of species recognized by law as weeds.
Other Crop Seed – Seeds that are not weeds or pure seed.
Percent Total Germination = (Germination + Hard Seed + Dormant Seed)
70 + 15 + 5 = 90% Total Germination Use that figure and the purity percentage to calculate the PLS percentage.
Multiply Total Germination by Purity / 100 = PLS % (95% X 90%)/100 = 85.5% of Pure Live Seed
85.5% of this seed lot by weight has the potential to grow. If 10 pounds of pure live seed is needed on a site, the quantity of bulk seed needed is determined by:
