PDFWAC 16-302-412
Pacific Northwest standards for sod quality seed.
(1) Pacific Northwest sod quality seed, seed standards for sod quality grass seed are as follows:
Variety | Purity Sample Size, grams (a) | Pure Seed Minimum % | Germination Minimum % | Other Crops (b) Maximum % | Weeds (c) Maximum % |
Bluegrass, Kentucky | 25 | 97.00 | 80.00 | 0.10 | 0.02 |
Fescue, red (d) | 30 | 98.00 | 85.00 | 0.10 | 0.02 |
Fescue, chewings (d) | 30 | 98.00 | 85.00 | 0.10 | 0.02 |
Fescue, tall - Turf type | 50 | 98.00 | 85.00 | 0.10 | 0.02 |
Ryegrass, Perennial (e) | 50 | 98.00 | 90.00 | 0.10 | 0.02 |
(a) | Requires testing of noxious all weed all crop exam and a germination test. |
(b) | Must be free of ryegrass, orchardgrass, timothy, bentgrass, big bluegrass, canby bluegrass, sandberg bluegrass, Poa trivialis, all species of Bromus, reed canarygrass, tall fescue, clover, meadow foxtail, bermudagrass (unless it is crop being tested), black medic, Alkaligrass, all of the genus Puccinellia. Canada bluegrass 0.02% - maximum allowable. Other Kentucky bluegrass - maximum 2.00%. |
(c) | Must be free of dock, chickweed, crabgrass, plantain, short-awn foxtail, annual bluegrass, all species of Bromus, velvetgrass, rattail fescue, and all weeds prohibited. (See Prohibited Noxious Seed List) |
(d) | Red fescue and chewings fescue must be free of Canada bluegrass. |
(e) | Maximum ryegrass fluorescence levels as determined by breeder or variety owner. |
(2) A sod seed analysis certificate is the basis of determining if a lot meets sod quality standards. This certificate is issued by the certifying agency and represents a purity analysis.
Reports of analysis (ROA) for issuance of a PNW sod quality tag will be accepted from out-of-state certification seed agency when the seed lot is grown within the boundaries of Idaho or Oregon. The seed testing laboratory must also be located within either Idaho or Oregon and is an accredited by AOSA as a member in good standing.
(3) In addition to a seed certification tag, seed meeting sod quality Certified seed standards will be tagged with a special "PNW sod quality seed" tag with the Washington state logo.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.49.005, [15.49].021, [15.49].310, [15.49].370, 15.140.030, and chapter 15.49 RCW. WSR 25-09-035, s 16-302-412, filed 4/9/25, effective 5/10/25.]