Wildflower Program
Wildflower Tips and FAQs
Expert Growing Tips to Create a Wildflower Garden
- Select a flower-friendly site.
Choose a level site that currently supports plants with enough sunlight and adequate rainfall. Remember, most wildflowers thrive well in well-drained soil. Poorly drained or heavily compacted soils will produce unsatisfactory results.
- Use herbicide to eliminate weeds and grass. (Optional)
Mow the remaining or dead vegetation as low as possible and remove them from the site.
Level the area by removing or breaking up large chunks of dirt.
- Prepare your seedbed.
Till the surface of the soil to a maximum depth of one inch. Smooth the area by raking. Disturbing the soil at a depth greater than one inch will unleash dormant weed seeds that will compete with your wildflowers.
- Mix your seeds with a carrier.
It is helpful to thoroughly mix a carrier such as masonry sand or potting soil to the seed to increase volume and aid in even distribution over your site. (One part seed and four parts sand.) If your mix already contains an inert carrier, the sand may not be necessary.
- Scatter your seeds in two directions.
Spread one-half of your seed as uniformly as possible over the prepared area. Sow the remaining seed in a direction perpendicular to the initial sowing.
- Surface sow.
Due to the extremely small size of the seed, the area should be prepared and the seed sown directly on the surface of the soil, then pressed or raked in. Press the seed into the soil by walking or raking lightly over the newly planted area. Do not cover them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Wildflower Growing
Do I have to water my wildflowers?
Your wildflowers will need ample moisture to germinate and develop into healthy seedlings. For best results, the area should be kept moist for 4 to 6 weeks during the establishment period. If there is not enough rainfall, supplement with a garden hose. You should water your seedbed frequently and lightly to keep the ground moist.
How much sunlight do I need?
Most wildflowers require a great deal of direct sunlight. If your wildflowers receive at least eight hours of sunlight daily, they will prosper. At a minimum, wildflowers should get about five hours of sunlight everyday.
Will my wildflowers come back?
They may. We recommend that you check with your seed supplier for a mix of wildflower seeds that will perform well in your area.
How do I allow my wildflowers to reseed?
Allow two weeks after the full bloom period has passed for the seeds to mature. If you wait until the seed has matured, it will replenish your garden for fresh flowers the next growing season. You can check to see if the seed pods are mature by opening one or two of them. If the seeds are brownish or black, or if they have started to harden up, they are good for cutting. Once cut, leave them on the ground. The pods will open naturally and dump their seed out.
For more information about planting wildflowers visit the University of Georgia’s website at http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/horticulture/wildflowers.html or contact your County Cooperative Extension office.
Updated March 02, 2007. 11:31
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