How and When to Broadcast Wildflower Seeds in the Garden
Do you have an area of your yard or garden you’d like to naturalize? Would you like to learn the joys of sowing wildflowers and reaping the rewards for years to come? Join organic farmer Jenna Rich and learn how and when to broadcast wildflower seeds.
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One of the best-kept secrets I learned a few years ago was that you can broadcast wildflower seeds in the fall for spring blooms. Fall leaves, acorns, twigs, rain, and snow protect and hold the seeds somewhat in place. Like most of the plant world, the seeds will go dormant, saving their energy for spring. They break dormancy in the spring, and the gentle rains soften their outer shells to prepare for germination.
While you might have some success after simply tossing them out in your yard, along a roadside bank, or in a new garden, those results will be pure luck. Perhaps an unplanted flower sprouts in your garden that you didn’t sow, whose seeds were picked up and moved there by a squirrel or hungry native bird. In any case, the joy of spring and summer-sprouting wildflowers is unlike anything else in gardening.
Let’s discuss how and when to broadcast wildflower seeds in your garden for a successful and bountiful spring and summer.
Precious Pollinators Flower Mix Seed Shaker
Make sowing flower seeds hassle-free with Botanical Interests Seed Shakers.
The Precious Pollinator Mix:
- comes in an eco-friendly, fully recyclable canister
- covers up to 800 square feet
- contains 14 varieties of pollinator-favorite flowers
- creates a diverse, beautiful flower garden
Prepare the Area
Before seeding wildflower seeds, prepare the area for maximum seed germination and overall success.
- Smother weeds by solarizing, tarping, or pulling back the sod.
- Create a weed-free area so your flowers have no competition for sun, food, water, and space.
- Till, tilth, or broadfork the area to loosen the soil. Loose soil creates the best environment for good root development, decreases the risk of stress, and provides good seed-to-soil contact.
- Wildflowers don’t require much fertilization by nature, but a general feed is advised if your soil is particularly low-fertility or has never been gardened in before. If you don’t want to fertilize, look for seeds that thrive in poor soil conditions. Native plants are an excellent choice in this regard.
- Ensure surrounding plants, fences, and buildings won’t shade out your new wildflower patch.
Only prepare your flower area if you’re ready to sow seeds. Otherwise, grasses and weeds can creep in and germinate, causing you to redo some of your work.
The How
Choose a seeding method based on the area’s size, budget, storage capabilities, and seed type. Divide your wildflowers into two buckets, then walk north to south, then switch east to west, creating a crossed pattern for even seed distribution.
Pro tip: Incorporate sand or sawdust to pinpoint missed areas as you broadcast seeds quickly.
By Hand
Following the instructions on the packaging, you can broadcast seeds by hand. Measure them out by weight and know the square footage of your seeding area, then work in small increments to avoid oversowing. This method is best for some areas.
Using A Mechanical Seeder
Once you establish a wildflowers stand, they’ll drop seeds and fill bare soil spots. However, for your initial seeding, using a mechanical seeder may come in handy, especially if you have one you prefer to use for vegetable seeds.
If your seeds are already mixed, ensure the opening and spacing are conducive to the largest seeds in the mix. Otherwise, fill it with one species at a time, adjusting the seeder each time. It may seem formal seeding rows of the same type of wildflower, but just remember, they’ll mix more each year as they drop seeds and get passed around by wildlife.
Using A Hand-Held Seeder
You may own a hand-held seeder and use it to fill patchy grass areas or sow cover crops. They’re fairly inexpensive, easy to use, small, and a cinch to store when not in use.
Simple versions include a seed hopper and a hand crank. Adjust the setting until the seeds come out at the desired speed. Remove unused seeds before storage.
Create Good Seed-To-Soil Contact
Walk over small areas to push the seeds into the soil, or place large pieces of cardboard over the area and walk over the top of it until you’ve completed the whole area. Alternatively, use the smooth edge of a spade, rake, tamper, or roller to get the same effect.
Creating good contact with the soil will help the seed stay in place, prevent air pockets from forming, which can cause delayed germination, and provide it with much-needed moisture during dormancy and in preparation for germination.
Water Seeds
Like other crops, a good soaking is encouraged after sowing. However, if you time out your seeding just before a day of steady, consistent rain, you can avoid pulling out the hose and sprinkler. Alternatively, you can sow a bit later in the fall and rely on the moisture that’s sure to come from late-season rain and snow.
No Need To Cover
Wildflowers don’t need much attention or fuss, so don’t worry about covering them. Although this method goes against what we typically do as gardeners, it works best for wildflowers. Trust that Mother Nature will provide them with what they need.
A caveat here is if you sowed seeds on a hillside, you can sprinkle the area with a layer of straw mulch to help keep them in place. The same can be done for yards where birds are likely to eat all of your seeds. Remember, most wildflower seeds require sunlight to germinate, so don’t lay it on too thick.
Select Species That Thrive In Your Region
Most seed companies allow customers to sort by region to ensure they select crops that will thrive in their climate. Look for native seeds to ensure their longevity and to feed native wildlife. Select a region that aligns closest to where you grow, or find a seed supplier that cultivates seed specific to your ecoregion. Some of the over arching regions of North America include:
- Midwest
- Northeast
- Southwest
- Southeast
- Pacific Northwest
- West
Look for other desired characteristics, such as butterfly—and bee-friendly, bloom time, good cut flowers, shade-friendly, and low maintenance. If you prefer specific colors or need seeds that work with your soil type, filter for these before selecting. A mix of annuals and perennials will delight in the first year and fill in more each season.
The When
What season you select to sow your wildflower seeds will depend on your ultimate garden goals, the type of seeds you select, and your region.
In The Fall
Fall brings trees’ shedding of leaves and, in many regions, steady rainfall, both of which help keep the seeds in place, hide them from critters, and protect them throughout their dormancy.
Sow seeds after two killing frosts have occurred, the soil drops below 50°F (10°C), and the ground has begun to freeze. Following these tips will ensure the seeds will not begin to germinate before the winter, leaving them vulnerable to frost and impending winter conditions. Growers in hot, dry climates should take advantage of fall’s cool temperatures and rain. Consider long-living perennial wildflowers that can survive winters in your area.
Pro tip: If your region doesn’t experience harsh winters, allow at least two months for plants to establish before the first frost. You might have to simulate cold stratification for certain seeds that require a cold, moist period.
In The Spring
You can also sow seeds after the last frost date has passed and the soil temperature reaches at least 55°F (13°C). Take advantage of the future forecast by sowing seeds before a rainy day to avoid the need to turn on irrigation. Spring sowings are best for a mix of annual and perennial wildflowers.
Sowing wildflowers in the spring is perfect for growers who had too much going on in the fall and couldn’t get around to it and those who need a pick-me-up after a long, bland winter. Give them a period of cold moisture in the refrigerator if they need vernalization to break dormancy. Once temperatures and day length increase, the flower growth will take off, and you’ll soon be rewarded with beautiful blooms.
In The Summer
Hot weather, especially where drought conditions are expected, isn’t usually the best for sowing wildflowers. Extreme heat and dryness can stress out seedlings or cause seeds not to germinate. However, when done correctly, summer sowings can produce a spectacular fall showing.
Select quick-to-mature annuals for summer sowings, and be ready to water regularly, especially once seeds have germinated.
Key Takeaways
- Work with Mother Nature, taking advantage of rainy days and fall leaf coverage
- Select native seeds that work well in your growing region
- Mix the seeds with sand or sawdust for good easy-to-see coverage
- Fill in gaps with more seeds if needed
- Seed by hand, mechanical seeder, or hand seeder
- Use seed company filters to find exactly what you want that fits into your property’s aesthetics
