From wild flower seeds to a bed of wildflowers!
What image comes to mind when you think of wild flower seed or a field of wildflowers?
Beauty? Wildlife? Low maintenance?
Wildflowers are definitely a thing of beauty....wild beauty, the way nature was intended.
Most importantly wild flower gardens and fields attract wildlife by providing food, nesting
materials and shelter.
This is increasingly becoming more and more important as natural habitats are being reduced
by construction and urban growth.
Wildflowers tend to be very adaptable, just look at them growing along the roadsides across
America. Nobody is there to water, fertilize, and take care of them yet they thrive.
The first year of your wildflower gardening will be the most time consuming as it requires
that you help things along with soil preparation, possible watering, weed control, and
simple maintenance at the end of the growing season. As years pass, and the wildflowers
become established, less and less maintenance will be required.
First of all, it is important to understand the requirements most wildflowers have.
A look at nature will tell you that wildflowers tend to prefer wide open sunny spaces and
they need soil that is nutrient rich and drains well. If the ground stays soggy and/or
"puddley" after a rainstorm, it isn't the best location to consider. Try to choose a
natural setting for your garden, for instance along the edge of the woods, along a wooden
fence, or on a hillside.
Getting Started - from wild flower seeds to a field of wildflowers:
Wildflowers can actually be planted in the spring, fall, or summer depending on
where you live. If you choose to plant in the spring make sure you do it after the danger
of frost has passed. As with any other type of garden, you first need to till the area to
get rid of existing growth. For very small areas a shovel will be fine but lager areas will
require a rototiller, like the Mantis We Make Gardening Easier Tiller.
Remove all grass roots and weeds. 
It is important to remember, that
grasses and weeds are your enemy when you are trying to establish your wildflower garden,
as you need to give the wild flower seed the chance to become established and more
dominant. Of course weeds and grasses will grow later and this is what you want because it
is a natural environment, so only battle the weeds when you start your garden.
Thorough tilling to remove growth is typically all you need to do, however, if you are
having difficulty you can use a weed killer. This method will take longer and wildflower
growth will be a bit delayed.
Procedure for your wildflowers garden:
-Till soil and remove established grasses and weeds.
-Water thoroughly to promote weed growth from weed seeds that are in the soil.
-Wait about 2 weeks for weeds to sprout.
-Use a weed killer-follow directions on package.
-When everything is clear it is time to plant your wild flower seed.
Sowing wild flower seed:
Evenly sow the seeds and compress the seeds into the soil by walking on them or using
a lawn roller. Seed packages will offer complete directions including the quantity of
seeds needed for the area you have prepared.
Fertilizer:
Wildflowers typically don't require fertilization but if you want to give them a boost
to promote growth, you can add fertilizer to the soil before you sow your seeds and
occasionally as they are growing. Pick a fertilizer that is recommended for perennial
flowers.
Watering:
If you don't have adequate rainfall, keep the area moist until
the seeds are established. (when plants are about 6-8 inches tall)
Regular maintenance:
The beauty of a wildflower garden is that after your wildflower garden is established, it
requires low, low maintenance! In the early fall after seeds have been dropped, mow the
area using the highest setting. A weed eater can be used as well depending on the size
of your wildflower garden. In the spring you can sow more seeds using the method already
described if you find some bare spots.
Most importantly, enjoy your garden! You might want to put in a bench so you can watch
the birds, butterflies, and other insects your wildflower garden will attract.
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