Start From Scratch 

Wildflower areas can be sown from the middle of spring onwards and will attract a variety of pollinating insects and birdlife to your garden. There are many wildflower seed mixes available to suit every garden, from shady spots to gardens with low rainfall.

When to sow

Wildflower seed is best sown mid-spring or from late summer to mid-autumn; there is less competition from weeds, and the soil is warm, and damp from rain. Perfect for seeds to germinate.

Choosing seed

• Buy a seed mixture that is right for your garden. Many suppliers have a large range including 100% wildflowers and 20% blends for drought, shade or coastal environments. Wildflowers thrive in poor nutrient soils so don't panic thinking you need good rich fertile soil for a beautiful display of flowers.

Soil preparation

• Prepare the soil by skimming off any old grass, removing large stones and weeds, and then roughly levelling.
• Fork over the site and rake level to leave a fine finish.
• Firm the soil by walking over it or using a roller.

How to sow seeds

• Use canes to mark out the area to be sown into square metres.
• A good rule of thumb is to spread seed at 5g per square metre for wildflower/grass blends and 3g per square meter for 100% wildflower mixes. Weigh out the seed to cover each square metre into a container and mark the level on the outside to act as a guide.
• Split each 5g/3g in half and scatter seed in one direction diagonally across a square and then spread the rest in the opposite direction.
• After sowing, use the roller again, twice to make sure the seed is embedded into the soil. You want the soil to be firm so if you rode a bicycle over it you would not see any tyre tracks.
• Gently water the area.

Aftercare

• Protect the newly sown seed from birds by stretching fruit netting over the top.
• It is also worth cordoning off the area with string and canes to prevent people from walking across the soil.
• Seedlings are susceptible to drought, so keep them watered during dry spells. Test your soil regularly by pushing your fingers into it.
• Carefully weed the area by hand, removing any weeds before they flower. As the flowers continue to grow, they will stifle weed growth.
• At the end of the flowering season, around the end of October, collect all the seed heads from the dead flowers.
• Cut the wildflower area leaving 5 - 7.5cm of stalk growth above the ground.
• Rake out all the dead material.
• Scatter the seeds you collected from the dead flower heads and stamp into the ground.  This will encourage annuals to return the following year and increase the number of perennial flowers that will bloom the next year.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 01259 760400.