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Wildflowers are flowers, as the name suggests, that are wild or grow on their own. They need minimal or completely no cultivation as they are part of the habitat. Local wildflowers are called natives while those introduced from some other part of the world are known as naturalized. Here is a list of 20 tips on how to plant wildflower seeds successfully:
1.Categorizing the wildflowers
In the flower market today, there exists three types of wildflowers which are the annuals. perennials and finally the biennials. The wildflowers included in the annual flower seeds are red poppy, cornflower and cosmos and they would germinate, nurture, flower and die in a short period of time because their life span is very short. Daisy, lance-leaf coreopsis, and dame's rocket are perennial flower seeds type wildflowers and their growing processes are slower compared to the annual wildflowers. As for Biennials, for example Queen Anne's lace, native Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet William wildflower characteristics are a cross between the first two types if wildflowers. The biennial wildflowers would sprout during their first year, and later blossom during the second year and they wilt away.
2.The suitable time to plant the wildflowers
The timing of when to start planting the new wildflower seeds depend on the climate and weather. If you happen to be living in a warm tropical climate country, then it is better suited if you start planting the flower seeds before the wet rainy season comes so that when the seeds starts growing it is right on time to absorb the large amount of moisture when the rainy season arrives. You should plant the wildflower seeds during the fall or spring time.
3.Choosing a site
Wildflower seeds can be planted in a wide location or in a small place in the garden. Make sure the chosen position has plenty of sunlight and also enough water for the wildflowers to survive. Wildflowers would grow better if they have more than enough sunlight.
4.Suitable soil for the wildflowers
Wildflowers are capable of living in any type of conditions, including the condition of the loam, so it is good enough to just use the earth in your existing garden or backyard. However, if you find the chosen site lacking of nutrients, which you can notice by observing the number of weed and grass growing on the site is little, then it is better if you try to find a more suitable earth.
5.Before planting the seeds - the soil
Before you actually plant the seeds you must check the loam at your garden bed to see its condition. If you find the loam too sandy and too loose for your wildflower seeds, then you can add compost heap so that the earth loam can capture enough moisture for the wildflowers. Instead, if you find the loam is too compact, then you can add some sand to loosen it up so that the moisture can be kept.
6.Keeping the surface of the loam clean
After you have chosen the location to plant the wildflowers, then you will need to loosen the earth a bit before clearing any unwanted plants that have been living there freely. The only gardening equipment that you need is the trusty shovel to help you out. Flatten out the site and make sure all the grass and weeds are cleared from the area, including their roots. Small rocks do not hinder the growth of the wildflowers but make sure the bigger rocks are removed.
7.Fertilizing
The usage of fertilizers and compost is needless since wildflowers are built to survive any condition or environment. If you really wish to use some type of fertilizers for your wildflowers, then choose a fertilizer that contains the less nitrogen. Spread it evenly and then you plant the seeds so that the seeds can fully utilize the nutrient.
8.Determining the amount of seeds needed
To ensure a heavy bloom, try to sow up to two or three times the recommended coverage rates for the wild flower seeds. Too much would inhibit growth though, so do not overdo it.
9.Spreading and planting the seeds
Use the simple split and sand method. First of all, divide the amount of seeds you are planting into two equally. Then, put the first half in an empty can or bucket. Next, mix about four parts of light sand or vermiculite with the seeds. Do not use beach sand. After that, just use your hand or a hand-crank cyclone seeder to spread out the mix evenly on your entire chosen site. Repeat the same steps for the second half of remaining seeds. On the second time round, sow the seeds in a direction perpendicular to the first time. This method ensures bare spots are well-covered. The sand facilitates even distribution of the seeds. For wildflower seeds, the spit and sand method is the most appropriate. With this method, first you will need to separate the numbers of seeds you are going to plant into two equal numbers. The first batch should be kept in a can or bucket. Then, mix the seeds with about four parts of non-heavy sand or otherwise known as vermiculite. Prevent from using beach sand since they are not suitable.
10.Compressing the seeds
After spreading the wildflower seeds, compress them further into the soil but resists from raking them or doing anything to cover them. Using a lawn mower would be more suitable for the chore if the area you are covering is very wide. If you only have a small garden, then walking on the whole area would do the trick. The whole process is important because it helps the seeds in their sprouting process.
11.Waiting time
Different species of wildflowers sprout at different times. Some take root in as little as eight days while others take months.
12.Moisture level of the loam
During their life span, the wildflower plants would need moisture the most during the germination process. In order to create the perfect environment for them, it is vital to ensure they have sufficient water in the soil for at least four to six weeks. The amount of water may be reduced slowly once the flowers start to bloom.
13.Mulching
Mulching helps the wildflowers stay healthier as it retains moisture in the soil longer. Bark chips, shredded leaves or peat moss are good organic choices.
14.Weeding
Once your wildflower plants start growing, you will notice there are a certain amount of grass and other unwanted plants also appearing. Even though the weeds might not cause any damage to the wildflower plants, but it might ruin the appearance and beauty of your garden so you should remove any grass that is growing in your garden.
15.Unwanted company
If you are facing unwanted visits from wild animals such as birds, then it is best to just scare them off, but if you didn't manage to do so then it is still fine. They would not cause anything more than minimal damages.
16.The beginning of the peak time
Remember to take picture for remembrance.
17.Pruning
The procedure will help new blooms to grow out. And to have a more lavish look, try cutting out and maintaining the top part of the plant.
18.Replanting new seeds
Once the wildflowers have reached their peak period and bloomed, allow and extra two weeks for the plants to grow more. Once you see the new seeds becoming hard and changed into a shade of brown or black, then remove them from their original plant and place them on the garden bed for them to reseed.
19.Wildflowers should complement each other
Try to cultivate wildflowers that complement each other in terms of color and texture. Also, green grass foliage can give better definition to the wildflowers.
20.Keeping the leftover seeds
If there are any leftover seeds, then make sure they are kept in a place where there is no sunlight and humidity. Some flower seeds can be kept for one year, then some can be kept for as long as five years.