Butterfly Wildflower Mix 26 varieties
When should I plant
Wildflower planting dates largely depend on site location and geographic weather patterns. The planting timetable should be decided by seasonal precipitation in your area rather than by temperature. Wildflowers can be planted in the fall or early spring throughout all regions of the U.S.
Spring Sowing
In the northern and northeastern geographic regions of the United States, USDA Zones 1 through 6, where extremely harsh winters are experienced, an early spring planting is recommended.
Fall Sowing
In the southern and western portions of the United States, USDA Zones 7 through 11, the autumn months of September through December are most favorable to plant your wildflowers. Many of the species will quickly germinate in order to allow the seedling enough time to establish a healthy root system before going dormant in the winter. Some of the seeds may not germinate if the ground temperature is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These seeds will remain dormant within the soil until early spring and will begin to emerge under more favorable conditions.
In the northern regions, USDA Zones 1 through 6, your wildflowers can be planted in late fall. If you decide to plant your seeds in the fall in Zones 1 through 6, the seed will remain dormant during the harsh winter months and germination will begin at the first indication of spring.
Site consideration
Choose a sunny site, remove any vegetation, rake or lightly till the surface of the soil to a maximum depth of 1 inch. Shallow soil preparation will limit the disturbance of dormant weed seed.
Good soil drainage, medium-moist & loose soil texture are needed for healthy root growth. If anything is growing in the area, such as grass or weeds, the area should support wildflowers.
Water
Keep soil moist daily until germination occur. Do not overwater. After delicate seedings are 1 to 2 inches in height, they are more adaptable to the climate, watering should be gradually reduced and applied when necessary.
Sunlight
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for best result.
Seed Germination
Not all of your seeds will sprout at the same time due to constant temperature fluctuations in nature. The most common cause of poor germination associated with wildflowers sowing depth. Small seeds should be planted on the soil surface and pressed or rolled in after sowing for best results, since they contain only enough stored food for a limited period of growth.
Seeding Rate
1⁄4 pound per 680 square feet for maximum color.
Other Elements
Fertilization
Not recommend fertilize wildflowers unless the soil is depleted of nutrients. Fertilization of wildflowers after the plants are established will encourage the growth of unwanted weeds, produce lush foliage and very few blooms.
Weed control
Proper site evaluation and soil preparation are the first defenses against the competition of unwanted weeds in your wildflower site. Before planting, assess the current weed population existing within the area. If the site contains an overabundance of weeds, which is usually the case in low-lying or run-off areas where water occasionally stands,
we highly recommend that an alternate site be selected. For best results, choose an area that is elevated with adequate drainage. A site which is well drained should have a limited population of existing weeds. To remove the existing weeds from the site, you have the option to treat the entire area with a nonselective herbicide or remove the weeds by hand. After the area is cleared of as many weeds as possible, soil preparation can begin.
Remember that thousands of buried weed seeds lie dormant beneath the soil, ready to germinate if the ground is disturbed too deeply. Extensive rototilling, disking or plowing the soil greater than one inch in depth will release the dormant weed seed found within the sub-soil. Improper soil preparation can create an uncontrollable weed problem in your wildflower area that could have been avoided. As your wildflowers germinate and grow, periodically hand pull any weeds that may have come up since planting. Weeding should be minimal if the area was prepared properly.
Weeds are an inevitable part of gardening and they should be expected. A little planning and preventive maintenance in combination with proper site selection and soil preparation will greatly reduce the competition of unwanted weeds within your wildflowers.
Seed Storage
The seeds will maintain a high germination percentage if stored under proper conditions. How long your seeds remain viable will depend on the temperature and moisture levels the seeds are exposed to. Seeds which are improperly stored will quickly deteriorate if unprotected against high humidity and dramatic temperature fluctuations day after day.
For best results, keep the seed in our providing aluminum ziplock sealing bags which has better moisture prevention effect. Glass jar or plastic containers with snap-on lids works well too, add a packet of desiccant before sealing into the seed, such as silica gel to remove any moisture remains in the storage container. Seed stored under these conditions will remain viable for as long as years.
Factors Which commonly Cause Poor Results
- Improper drainage soil
- Sowing depth more than one inch
- Covering the seed too deep beneath the soil surface
- Cover a large area with a small amount of seed.
- Plant at a wrong time of a year
- Lack of sunlight
- Inadequate rainfall after seed germination. The area should not be allowed to become completely dry. Supplemental watering may be required to sustain plant life.
- Extreme weather conditions: hail, drought, excessive rainfall, floods, unseasonably cold temperatures.