CRP Practice · CP2
CP2 CRP seed mix — native warm-season grass for permanent cover.
Clarity Seed Farms builds and ships CP2-compliant native warm-season grass seed to landowners enrolling or re-enrolling in USDA Conservation Reserve Program contracts. Every blend is matched to your state, county, and NRCS seeding plan.
What's in our CP2 mix
CP2 targets permanent native warm-season grass cover on highly erodible cropland. Our base blend is built from five deep-rooted natives, adjusted for your ecoregion:
- • Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
- • Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)
- • Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
- • Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
- • Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)
Need a more diverse stand? Ask about layering CP2 with a CP25 or CP42 forb component for pollinator and upland bird value.
Seeding rate, timing, and method
| Seeding rate | 5–7 lbs PLS / acre |
|---|---|
| Best planting window | Dormant — mid-Nov through early March |
| Method | Native-seed drill or broadcast + cultipack |
| Establishment | Year 2 visible cover, year 3 full stand |
CP2 frequently asked questions
- What is a CP2 CRP seed mix?
- CP2 is a USDA Conservation Reserve Program practice that establishes permanent native warm-season grass cover on highly erodible cropland. A CP2 mix is built from regionally adapted native grasses like big bluestem, indiangrass, switchgrass, little bluestem, and sideoats grama.
- What is the seeding rate for a CP2 native grass mix?
- Most NRCS specs call for 5–7 lbs PLS (pure live seed) per acre for a CP2 native warm-season grass planting. Rates shift by state and by whether forbs are added — we build every quote to your county's approved seeding plan.
- When should I plant CP2 native grass seed?
- Dormant seedings from mid-November through early March give the best establishment across most of the Midwest and Plains. Frost seeding into February snow is common. Spring seeding is acceptable through late May if soil temps stay under 60°F at planting.
- How long does CP2 take to establish?
- Native warm-season grasses spend the first year building roots. Expect visible cover in year two and full stand density by year three. Weed control in year one is the single biggest driver of long-term success.
- Can I add wildflowers or forbs to a CP2 mix?
- Yes — many states allow a limited forb component within CP2, and stacking with CP42 pollinator strips is common. Ask us to quote a CP2 + forb enhancement if you want more wildlife value than grass-only cover.
- How do I get a CP2 seed quote from Clarity Seed Farms?
- Send us your acres, state, county, and planting window through the quote form. We match the mix to your CRP contract, price it, and ship direct.
Ready to price your CP2 acres?
Share your acres, state, and planting window. We'll match a CP2 mix to your CRP contract and ship direct.