Wildflowers are gorgeous, naturally occurring blooms that dot the landscape in the spring. Many people love to observe wildflowers, and you might wish to have them in your yard. But can you just throw wildflower seeds and watch them grow? To answer that question, it all depends on where you are and the potential for the seeds to germinate.
Types of Wildflowers
Before assuming that you can simply throw down seeds and wildflowers will grow, it’s essential to consider what types of wildflowers there are. Not all flowers will grow in all places. Here’s a short list of different types of wildflowers:
- Coneflowers
- Indian paintbrush
- Aster
- Daisy
- Columbine
- Fireweed
- Goldenrod
Should I Throw Wildflower Seeds In My Yard?
Unfortunately, simply throwing wildflower seeds in your yard or in a grassy area won’t likely result in blooms. If your lawn or the soil already grows grass and is relatively healthy, it will be difficult for wildflower seeds to germinate and get enough sunlight for growth. In cases like these, you will need to prepare the soil.
If the patch of yard or soil you wish to grow wildflowers on has no other vegetation, there’s a better chance of getting wildflowers to grow there. That way, they don’t have to compete with other plants for essentials like nutrients, water, and space.
Spreading Seeds
Once you’ve decided that you have a good plot for starting wildflower seeds, you can take a few steps to help ensure they will germinate.
Timing
First, determine the best time to spread the seed in your area. Most of the time, wildflowers naturally drop their seeds in the fall to take advantage of the additional moisture in the winter months. In colder zones, try planting after the first few touches of frost. In warmer climates, you can sew seeds as late as January.
Soil
As is the case with many plants, wildflower seeds tend to do a little better if you loosen the soil before planting. Roots have an easier time pushing through soil that isn’t too compacted.
Sunlight
Wildflowers need plenty of direct sunlight. Try to pick an area that gets full sun. Otherwise, you risk weak roots that can’t produce a healthy plant. Beneath trees or near other foliage is not a good option.
Distribution
Distribution is key in growing flourishing wildflowers. Wildflowers do not like to be crowded, so distributing them evenly is vital to their growth. In order to do this, you can try mixing the seed with a bit of sand before tossing it down.
Tapping Down
Unlike other plants, wildflower seeds don’t need a hole to grow. Once you have scattered the seeds on some freshly turned soil, you can simply tap them down with your foot. Gently press the seeds into the earth until the ground is even.
Benefits of Wildflowers
There are plenty of good reasons to add wildflowers to your yard. If you’re on the fence about whether or not you want to throw some seeds down, here are a few very good reasons to add wildflowers to your space:
- Wildflowers can help attract beneficial insects to your lawn and garden. Butterflies and ladybugs love wildflowers.
- Plant life can help keep your soil healthy and prevent erosion in your yard.
- They are aesthetically pleasing and an exciting indicator of warm weather.
Conclusion
So, can you just throw wildflower seeds for them to grow? No, you can’t. But although growing wildflowers may not be quite as simple as just throwing the seeds, it isn’t much more complicated. If you wish to include some of this blooming foliage, you shouldn’t have a tough time as long as your soil is healthy. If you can see any other plant life growing there, wildflowers will also.