- Choose a location. Wildflowers need full sun and good drainage. Choose a spot in your yard that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. The soil should be loose and well-drained. If your soil is heavy clay, you may need to add sand or compost to improve drainage.
- Prepare the soil. Rake the soil smooth to create a level surface. Remove any weeds or debris from the area.
- Sow the seeds. Follow the directions on the seed packet for the amount of seed to sow per square foot. You can broadcast the seeds by hand or use a seed spreader.
- Cover the seeds. Lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Do not bury the seeds, as they need sunlight to germinate.
- Water the seeds. Water the seeds thoroughly until the soil is moist. Water the seeds regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.
- Thin the seedlings. Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them so that they are spaced 6-12 inches apart. This will help the plants to grow and thrive.
- Water and fertilize. Water the wildflowers regularly, especially during dry periods. Fertilize the wildflowers once a month with a balanced fertilizer.
- Enjoy your wildflowers! Wildflowers will bloom for several weeks in the spring and summer. Enjoy their beauty and attract pollinators to your yard.
Here are some additional tips for planting wildflowers:
- Plant in the fall or early spring for the best results.
- If you live in a cold climate, you may need to cover the seeds with a layer of mulch to protect them from the cold.
- Wildflowers are low-maintenance plants, but they will benefit from occasional weeding and watering.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
- You can divide and replant wildflowers every few years to keep them healthy and vigorous.
With a little care and attention, you can enjoy beautiful wildflowers in your yard for years to come.
Seeds
Some wildflower seed suppliers can provide seed mixtures consisting of a number of different species. You have the option of such a mixture or obtaining the species of your choice and making a mixture or planting your selections individually.
Planting rate
After your selection is determined, a planting rate based on pure live seed and the number of seeds per square foot can be calculated. PLS is simply the percent of purity multiplied by the percent of germination which should be available from the supplier and as required by the Texas Department of Agriculture under the seed law.
These rates should be more accurately determined by the mature size of the plants and the effect you desire. The Soil Conservation Service recommends planting twenty seeds per square foot. For highway plantings, seeding is recommended in pounds per acre with the rate dependent on the type of seed used.
Sowing seeds
Soil preparation is not necessary since most wildflower seeds can be broadcast over undisturbed soil, although some delay in germination may result. However, seed to soil contact is essential. When sowing wildflower seed in turf areas make sure to scalp the grass as low as possible with a mower. Next, sow the seed.
After sowing, drag the sowed area with a weighted section of chain link fence or other rough flat object to better obtain soil-seed contact. Water the area thoroughly but gently. Follow the first watering with additional short waterings every three days for about three weeks. Some seeds will germinate 10 to 20 days after planting, others will germinate in early spring.
A method of application should be determined by the size of the area. Small areas can be sown by hand or a mechanical hand device. Large areas require a seed drill or other mechanical means that can be calibrated for the seeding rate.