What is our California Native Fire-Wise Mix?

California Native Fire-Wise Mix is a drought-tolerant blend of low-fuel native grasses and wildflowers that creates a lush, fire-resistant stand of California vegetation to help safeguard your property. Quick to establish and low-maintenance, it enriches soil and supports pollinators while thriving with minimal water.

Specifications

Sun Requirement

Full Sun

Soil Preference

Prefers well-drained soils; adaptable from sandy loam to clay loam

Soil pH

6.0 – 7.5 (optimal range)

Time to Maturity

~60–90 days

Height when mature

3 – 6 feet tall at maturity

Seeding Rate

15 Lbs/ Acre

Planting Depth

1/8 – 1/4 inch dee

Categories: New, Specialty Seed, Seed Selector, California Collection

New, Specialty Seed, Seed Selector, California Collection

California Native Fire-Wise Mix

SKU: CV-CNFW

(4.7) - 145 reviews

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Price range: $159.99 through $544.99

Select Quantity

5 Lb - 10,000 Sq Ft

$159.99

10 Lb - 20,000 Sq Ft

20 Lb - 40,000 Sq Ft

Coverage Area

Clear

Planting Aids for your Seed

Am 120 Standard Mycorrhizal Inoculant $74.99

Rice Hulls: Improve Seed Contact, Germination & Hold Moisture - 25 Lb bag $69.99

Why Choose This Seed?

Fire-Resistant Landscaping

Composed of low-flammability, bunch-forming species that produce less fuel, this mix acts as a natural fire break to slow wildfire spread and help protect structures. It’s ideal for creating defensible space around homes in fire-prone areas.

Drought Tolerance

All components are California natives adapted to dry summers, requiring little irrigation once established. They can survive on minimal rainfall (as low as ~6–12 inches per year), making this mix perfect for water-wise landscaping.

Quick Establishment & Erosion Control

Seeds germinate rapidly (often within 1–2 weeks) and develop deep, fibrous root systems that stabilize soil. This provides fast ground cover to prevent erosion on slopes or burned areas, helping to rehabilitate land after wildfires.

Soil Enrichment & Habitat

Includes Foothill Clover, a native legume that fixes nitrogen to enrich the soil, and other wildflowers that support native bees and butterflies. The diverse plant mix creates habitat for wildlife and pollinators, contributing to a healthy ecosystem.

Versatile Uses

This mix is suitable for defensible space landscaping, post-fire restoration, erosion control, and even grazing. The species were chosen for multi-purpose benefits – from beautifying large rural properties to improving pastures – and are proven in California land rehabilitation projects.

Seed Description

Product Details

Sun/Shade

Full Sun

Height

3 – 6 ft when fully grown

Seeding Rate

20 Lbs/ Acre

Uses

Defensible space, Post-fire revegetation, Erosion control, Wildlife habitat, Pasture enhancement

Color

Green foliage with seasonal wildflower blooms (pink/purple clover in spring)

Water

Low – drought-tolerant once established

Native/Introduced

100% Native California species

Life Form

Mix of annuals (majority) and short-lived perennials

Strong Roots

Exhibits a deep, fibrous root system that enhances soil water infiltration, mechanical soil anchoring, drought resistance, and retention of nutrients, critical for erosion resistance and landscape durability

Wide Soil Tolerance & pH Range

California Brome thrives in diverse soil textures (sand, silt, clay), tolerates both poorly and well-drained soils, and adapts across a broad soil pH range.

Foothill Clover Seed Size & Restoration Use

This mix contains Trifolium ciliolatum (Foothill Clover), which has relatively tiny seeds (~400–600 per 2 g packet) that lend themselves well to broadcast seeding. It rapidly establishes as a seasonal ground cover, tolerates light mowing, thrives in compacted or disturbed soils, and supports nitrogen-fixing restoration efforts .

Rapid Germination

California Brome seeds typically germinate within 10–14 days under ideal conditions, enabling quick establishment of protective ground cover.

Questions & Answers

What makes this seed mix “fire-wise”?

The Fire-Wise Mix contains grasses and forbs that are less flammable – they grow in sparse, bunchy clumps with higher moisture content and produce less dry fuel than invasive weeds. This means if wildfire strikes, the flames spread more slowly and at lower intensity through this vegetation. While no plant is fire-proof, using this mix in your landscape creates a natural fuel break that can help protect your property.

When is the best time to plant the Fire-Wise Mix?

In California, the ideal planting time is fall (autumn), typically October to early December, just before the winter rains. Planting in the fall allows the seeds to germinate with seasonal rainfall and establish roots during the cool, wet season. Early spring (late winter to March) is the second-best option if you can provide irrigation. Avoid planting in the hottest, driest part of summer.

How do I plant and establish this seed mix?

Prepare the area by clearing away weeds and loosening the topsoil. Broadcast the seed evenly at the recommended rate, then rake lightly so the seeds are covered by about 1/8–1/4 inch of soil (they need shallow planting for good germination). Press the area down or roll it to ensure contact between the seed and the soil. After planting, water thoroughly to moisten the soil. Keep the soil damp (with light waterings) until seedlings emerge and reach a few inches tall. Once established, the seedlings will grow quickly without much intervention.

What maintenance is required to keep it fire-wise?

Low maintenance is one of the advantages of this mix. In spring, the plants will grow lush and green with little care. By summer/fall, as annuals dry out, you can mow or trim the grasses down to a few inches in height to reduce any dried fuel load (especially within 100 feet of structures, per fire department guidelines). Removing spent vegetation after seed drop can further lower fire risk. Other than seasonal mowing, you do not need to fertilize (the clover adds natural fertilizer), and you shouldn’t need pesticides. The stand largely maintains itself, and native species will out-compete many weeds once established.

Will these plants come back each year?

The mix is composed mostly of annual species (plants that sprout, flower, and seed in one year) and some short-lived perennials. California Brome, for example, is a short-lived perennial grass, and the clover and others are annuals. The good news is that many of these will reseed themselves. If allowed to drop seed, you’ll see new volunteers pop up the next year, maintaining the cover naturally. For best results, you might overseed bare spots every 1–2 years, but a healthy stand will perpetuate on its own in fall with the rains.

Can this mix help with erosion control on slopes or after a wildfire?

Yes, it’s excellent for erosion control. The mix was formulated with deep-rooted native grasses (like California Brome) that establish quickly and hold soil in place. The fibrous root systems form a net in the soil, preventing runoff and slope wash-outs. After a wildfire, sowing this mix on bare ground can greatly reduce mudslides and sediment erosion during rains. It has been used for post-fire rehabilitation to stabilize hillsides and recover burned rangeland. For best results on steep slopes, you can apply a light layer of straw mulch after seeding to protect seeds from washing away until they sprout. Once the plants grow in, their roots and foliage will protect against erosion long-term.