Tending to the Wildflowers in Your Garden
If you are looking to add more beauty and more color to your flower garden, then one suggestion is to add wildflowers to it to give it that little something extra. Wildflowers are defined as “flowering plants native to a specific geographic area or habitat.” They are flowers that grow wild and do not have to intentionally be seeded or planted but that does not mean that they cannot be.
Wildflowers are known to be low maintenance and easy to tend to, although some species do require a certain type of soil to grow in, as well as a particular type of temperature in order to thrive. If you give plenty of attention and tender loving care to your wildflowers when they are first planted, then you pave the way for a beautiful garden.
Mistakes to Avoid
-Find out what time of year is best to plant each species. For example, some seeds need to overwinter and therefore should be planted during the autumn.
-Location is extremely important to the success of your wildflower garden. Research the species before you plant it. Make sure that wildflowers that require plenty of sunshine are placed in a location where they will get what they need. The same goes for flowers that require plenty of shade. If lack of information has you scratching your head, then follow this general guideline regarding wildflowers- most species require eight hours of sunlight on a daily basis.
-Drainage is essential for the growth of your flowers. Soggy roots are the kiss of death for wildflowers.
-Do not go overboard when it comes to preparing the soil for your wildflowers. If you plant them in more than one inch (2.54 cm) of soil, this could encourage the growth of weeds that were previously dormant to dwarf the flowers.
-The seeds you plant should not be covered with soil. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil and then walk on the soil or roll it gently.
-Overwatering can damage and destroy the wildflower seeds. For the best results possible, make sure that the seeds are kept moist for the first four to six weeks after they are planted, and then just leave them be. Wildflower seeds can adapt easily to most climates and will be fine until the next rain. However if it has not rained in a long span of time, give them some water.
