Make room for wildflowers

A sunny corner can become a wildflower planting worth watching. Start with a suitable mix and give preparation the time it deserves.

There may be a corner of your property you keep mowing without getting much use from it. Before making another pass, consider whether it could become a wildflower planting.

Start with a space you can prepare and look after. A modest planting near a path gives you a chance to see what grows and learn the plants as they develop.

Match the flowers to the spot

Notice how much sun reaches the area and what happens after rain. Dry sandy ground and a damp low spot need different plant choices. Check the actual species in a mix, especially if your goal is a planting native to your region.

Choose a range of bloom times rather than selecting everything for one summer display. That can provide flowers for pollinators across more of the growing season.

Spend time on preparation

Existing grass and persistent weeds can overwhelm young wildflowers. Plan how you will control that competition before sowing. Scattering seed over an established lawn is unlikely to produce the meadow you have in mind.

Ask for planting instructions specific to your mix. Seed depth and seasonal requirements differ among species, so one approach does not fit every bag of wildflower seed.

Give the planting time to develop

A perennial planting from seed can take several seasons to fill in. Judge the first year by establishment as well as flowers. Keep watching for weeds and follow the maintenance guidance supplied for the mix.

Decide how you want to experience the space, too. Perhaps a narrow path would let you walk through it, or a small planting near the porch would be enough. Sketch the shape before you buy seed and measure the area you will actually plant.

Take a photograph each month from the same place. It is an easy way to follow changes you might miss when you see the planting every day. Keep notes on which flowers you enjoy and what you would like to add later.

Tell Central Wisconsin Seed about your sunlight, soil and available space when exploring wildflower seed options.