Planting Wildflowers
Wildflowers are some of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow. They require little effort and water once they are established, and provide show-stopping color year after year. They also help provide food and habitat for local wildlife and pollinators, including birds, butterflies, bees, and more. Thinking of planting Wildflowers this season? Follow the simple steps below and you'll be thanking yourself once your garden or meadow is bursting with blooms!
Wildflower Planting Times
Planting In Spring
- Spring is a great time to plant Wildflowers in most states. In spring, wait until your ground temperatures have warmed to 55 degrees, and there is no chance of frost in your area.
- If you're in a warmer climate (California for instance), you will want to plant in the tail end of your "rainy season," which will give the seeds plenty of natural water to germinate.
Planting In Fall/Winter: Areas With Cold Winters, Hard Frosts & Frozen Ground
- If you live an area where you have a true "winter season," meaning you receive hard frost and the ground stays frozen for several months, than fall is the perfect time to plant!
- You will want to wait until you've had several killing frosts and ground temperatures are cool enough that the seeds will not get the chance to germinate until the spring.
- Planting in the fall gives the seed a "jump start" on growth once the ground thaws. It also helps to eliminate the growth of weeds, as the Wildflowers get the chance to start growing and take over the weeds in the early spring.
- Read more about Wildflower Seeds: Planting In Fall
- Read more about Sowing Wildflower Seeds In Winter
Planting in Fall/Winter: Areas With Mild Winters/No Freeze or Frosts
- If you are in an area where your ground does not freeze (California, southern Texas, or Florida, etc.), the best time to plant is just before your rainiest season begins, and so the weather won't be too hot for young seedlings. In Florida, fall is best. In California and Texas, most wildflowers are planted during the winter to take advantage of early spring greening.
How To Plant Wildflowers In 6 Steps
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Choose a spot on your property that receives at least 6 hours of sun per day. The more sun, the better with Wildflowers!
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Prepare your soil by clearing the area of all existing growth. This is an essential step to the success of your Wildflower planting. Dig up everything that is growing, turn the soil over and rake out debris from the area before spreading any seed. You may need to till the area if there is an excess of grass, weeds, etc. on your property.
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Mix the Wildflower Seed with sand for better visibility. Mix 10 parts sand to 1 part Wildflower Seed. If you're planting a larger area, use a seed spreader. If it's a smaller area, you can simply spread the seed by hand.
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After spreading the seed, compress the seed into the soil. To allow the seeds full sunlight, do not cover them in any way. The better seed-to-soil contact, the better chance of germination. You can walk on the seed or use a roller for larger plantings.
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After planting, give the area a good water. We recommend watering regularly (but not soaking the area) until seedlings are about 4-6" tall. After that, Wildflowers require little to no water and can survive on natural rains.
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Enjoy! Some annual varieties will bloom as soon as 5 weeks after planting. Some take longer, and perennial varieties do not bloom until the second year. Once established, perennial Wildflowers come back year after year and are a true spectacle in any garden or meadow.
How Much Wildflower Seed Do I Need?
The coverage rate for wildflower seeds varies greatly from species to species.
Did you know? With wildflower seed, less is more! Planting too much seed can cause overcrowding and inhibit growth.
Be sure to check the coverage rate for your seeds. This can be found on the product page for each wildflower seed mix and species.
If you have further questions about planting Wildflowers, contact our helpful gardening team. Call toll free at 800-925-9387 or email us.