After the seeds are sown, we sprinkle a handful of compost over the area. This serves a dual purpose of adding nutrients to the soil and providing a barrier that keeps seedlings from germinating. When the seeds begin to sprout, it’s important to keep the soil moist. Covering with mulch helps retain moisture.
4-6 weeks after planting, when most of the seedlings have emerged and grown their first set of leaves, we cut them back. This helps promote branching and fullness and is an important step in creating an interesting garden bed rather than just a field of wildflowers!
For a final added touch, we interplant with different varieties of grasses. Blue fescue adds a nice contrast to the flowers. We often use the wildflower seed mixes that already have the wildflowers interplanted with the grasses.
Over the last couple years we have been working hard to add more wildflower beds to our property. This year we started with a new bed along the front of our property. It is a relatively small bed, but it is very beautiful with pink, purple and white wildflowers.
We also took a portion of our yard and turned it into an edible and medicinal garden. We are still in the process of planning out this garden and setting it up, but it’s turning out to be a great addition to our property.
We have also been working on creating a new bed on the north side of our property. We started with a small section, but plan to expand it as time goes on.
Do wildflowers bloom the first year?
Yes! Wildflowers are typically annuals and will die at the end of the season. Some can grow for more than one season and become biennials or perennials.
If you’re planting a bed that will remain in place for multiple years, I recommend choosing perennial varieties that have a longer blooming period and add interest to your garden year after year.
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How long does it take to establish a wildflower meadow?
For most wildflower mixes, 6-8 weeks is a good estimate of time. This varies by region as well as weather conditions. Be patient! Planting in the fall or winter allows seeds to germinate during warmer months and reduces risk of frost killing seedlings before they can grow larger. If you want instant gratification, consider planting annual wildflowers instead!
Do wildflowers grow back every year?
Yes! Weeds are opportunistic plants that take advantage of open space and resources (sunlight, nutrients, water) when they’re available. Wildflowers will outgrow and shade out weeds over time, but they’re not as aggressive as other plants. Keep your wildflower bed healthy with proper watering and fertilizing and you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous blooms year after year!
Can I just throw wildflower seeds?
Don’t do it! Wildflower seeds need to be sown in the proper conditions to have the best chance of germinating. Sowing them too thickly, planting on top of a weed barrier or covering them with mulch will inhibit germination. I recommend using a seed starter mix and following the instructions on the back of your seed packet.
Will wildflowers choke out weeds?
Weeds are opportunistic plants that take advantage of open space and resources (sunlight, nutrients, water) when they’re available. Wildflowers will outgrow and shade out weeds over time, but they’re not as aggressive as other plants. Keep your wildflower bed healthy with proper watering and fertilizing and you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous blooms year after year!
How can I add a wildflower meadow to my garden?
There are many ways to create a wildflower meadow in your garden. You may want to add a natural grassy edge to your flower beds, or you may want to plant native wildflowers in a separate area, or you may want to create a whole new wildflower meadow. Here are some ideas:
- If you already have a flower bed or perennial garden, you can add wildflowers as you plant each new flower. Just plant a few wildflowers with every new plant you add to your garden.
- If you have a small yard, consider dividing it into several garden beds. Plant one garden bed entirely with wildflowers.
- If you have a large yard, you could create a wildflower meadow by creating several wildflower beds.
- If you have a large yard, you could create a wildflower meadow by simply making the whole yard wild. You could turn it into a wild meadow by mowing it very short once a year and letting it grow as tall as you want.
- If you have a shady area, you could create a wildflower meadow by planting shade-tolerant wildflowers in the shade.
Is it too late to plant wildflower seeds?
Early spring is the best time to plant wildflower seeds, but they can be planted in the fall as well. In general, cooler temperatures and less sunlight will help wildflowers germinate and grow better.
How much should I plant?
To maximize wildflower coverage, we recommend planting at least one pound per acre. This amount will allow for a greater number of seedlings to grow, which will result in more flowers for years to come. If you’re planting a smaller area or are unsure of how many seeds you have, we recommend planting 2-3 pounds per acre.
What is the difference between black-eyed susan and yellow coneflower?
Black-eyed susans have a yellow center surrounded by a ring of dark brown petals, and the yellow coneflower has a dark brown center and ring of light yellow petals.
When should I start mowing wildflowers?
If your seed mix is in a bare area, we recommend mowing when it reaches approximately six inches in height. This helps prevent the flowers from being hidden by taller grasses. If your flowers are planted near perennials or other grasses, we recommend mowing when they reach 2-3 inches tall.
- If you have a sunny area, you could create a wildflower meadow by planting sun-loving wildflowers in the sun.
- If you have a sunny area, you could create a wildflower meadow by planting sun-loving wildflowers in the shade.
- If you have a large area, you could create a wildflower meadow by planting a mixture of sun- and shade-loving wildflowers in the sun and in the shade.