State agencies have created standard restoration and conservation seed mixes that can be used for projects (many native seed vendors can supply these mixes). Below are lists of current “State Seed Mixes” that have been in use since 2009.

Also listed are “Pilot Seed Mixes” that were developed to expand the use of native plant species for a variety of landscapes, and provide “model” mixes for projects that can be adapted for specific site conditions. These mixes are in a testing phase where we are looking for opportunities to work with partners to test their effectiveness on projects to guide future updates.

Partners also include collaboration among Non-profits, Seed vendors, SWCD, Tribal Governments, Consultants, County and Cities.  

Note: cover crops are included in the mixes, so additional cover crops are not typically needed unless additional stabilization is necessary for projects (such as steep slopes).

seed mixes

Note: Many state seed mixes have been updated in April of 2024 with many of them having updated numbers.

Seed mix information

Information & Links to important seed mix information
This table describes the seed mix category, purpose and region as well as provides links to download further details as a PDF file or Word Document file.
Minnesota Seed Mix Information Sheet Links
Title Label Seed mix category Seed mix purpose Seed mix region Info Sheet Download Links
Little Bluestem Urban Prairie 35-121 Current State Seed Mix Urban Prairie Statewide Microsoft Word
Low Diversity Buffer General 32-243 Current State Seed Mix Buffers Statewide Microsoft Word
Mesic Prairie General 35-242 Current State Seed Mix Native Grassland Statewide Microsoft Word
Mesic Prairie Northwest 35-442 Current State Seed Mix Native Grassland Northwest Microsoft Word
Mesic Prairie Southeast 35-642 Current State Seed Mix Native Grassland Southeast Microsoft Word
Mesic Prairie Southwest 35-542 Current State Seed Mix Native Grassland Southwest Microsoft Word
Mesic Short Urban Buffer Northeast Pilot Seed Mix Buffers Northeast Microsoft Word
Mesic Short Urban Buffer South & West Pilot Seed Mix Buffers South & West Microsoft Word
Mid Diversity Mesic to Dry Buffer South & West 32-231 Current State Seed Mix Buffers South & West Microsoft Word
Mid Diversity Moist Buffer Northeast 32-351 Current State Seed Mix Buffers Northeast Microsoft Word
Mid Diversity Moist Buffer South & West 32-251 Current State Seed Mix Buffers South & West Microsoft Word
Mid Diversity Solar Array Dry Soil South and West 39-221 Pilot Seed Mix Pollinator South & West Microsoft Word
Mid Diversity Solar Array Mesic Soil Northeast 39-641 Pilot Seed Mix Pollinator Northeast Microsoft Word
Mid Diversity Solar Array Moist Soils South & West 39-551 Pilot Seed Mix Pollinator South & West Microsoft Word
Native Construction 32-242 Current State Seed Mix Native Construction Statewide Microsoft Word
Native Forage Buffer Mix South & West 32-232 Current State Seed Mix Buffers South & West Microsoft Word
Native Grass Waterway General 33-142 Pilot Seed Mix Stormwater Facilities Statewide Microsoft Word
Oats Cover Crop 21-111 Current State Seed Mix Cover Crops Statewide Microsoft Word
Pollinator Plot NE 38-341 Current State Seed Mix Pollinator Northeast Microsoft Word
Pollinator Plot NW 38-441 Current State Seed Mix Pollinator Northwest Microsoft Word

Contact

Dan Shaw
Senior Ecologist/Vegetation Specialist