Additional Information Resources and Articles

 

Flowers that grow by themselves out in the wild are known as wildflowers. It is in their nature to grow without any human help in the cultivation process since they are part of the natural and wild habitat. Locally found wildflowers are widely known as "natives" while the types that are found in other parts of the world and transported to countries all over the world are known as "naturalized". For this article, we have prepared a list of guidelines on how gardeners should take care of their wildflower plants:

1.Wildflower categories

In the flower market today, there exists three types of wildflowers which are the annuals. perennials and finally the biennials. The wildflowers included in the annual flower seeds are red poppy, cornflower and cosmos and they would germinate, nurture, flower and die in a short period of time because their life span is very short. Daisy, lance-leaf coreopsis, and dame's rocket are perennial flower seeds type wildflowers and their growing processes are slower compared to the annual wildflowers. As for Biennials, for example Queen Anne's lace, native Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet William wildflower characteristics are a cross between the first two types if wildflowers. The biennial wildflowers would sprout during their first year, and later blossom during the second year and they wilt away.

2.The timing of the planting process

In a tropical climate, planting wild flower seeds just before the rainy season will ensure the seeds get plenty of moisture in order to sprout. In places with four seasons, fall and spring planting can be equally successful.

3.Choosing a site

You may want to plant a big area or just a small section of wildflowers. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. Wildflowers love a great deal of sunlight.

4.Suitable soil for the wildflowers

Because they have been living out in the wild and natural environment for a long time, therefore they can live and grow in any type of dirt and soil. However, if the garden land is sterile and contains no nutrition at all, then you should try to find a better site. Wildflowers are tougher compared to the other plants, and for that reason it can grow in any type of land available. But, if the land you want to use is sterile, which not one living thing is growing in it, not even the unwanted weeds, then it is time you consider a new ground.

5.Preparing the soil

You may want to improve the soil by adding humus if the soil at your chosen site is too sandy to retain enough moist. On the other hand, if the soil is heavy clay, you could add in sand to loosen up the soil.

6.Before planting the seeds- the surface of the soil

Before you plant the wildflower seeds at the chosen site, you need to break up the earth and clear away whatever that has been growing there. All you need is a shovel. Next, make sure the area is flat and free from grass roots. Try to remove the bigger rocks. Small gravels do not bother the wildflowers too much.

7.Fertilization

Fertilizing is unnecessary as wildflowers thrive in almost any type of surrounding. But if you wish to, choose a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. Rake it into the soil before you plant the seeds.

8.Determining the amount needed

If you want the flowers to be filling the garden at its peak capacity, then it is recommended that you plant up to two or three times more than the normal wildflower seeds coverage quantity. But always remember putting too much seeds in the land would create too much competition for nutrient and water, so do not go past the limit.

9.Dessiminating the wildflower seeds

After that, just use your own hand or any relevant equipment you can find to spread the mix evenly around your chosen garden site. For the remaining seeds just repeat the steps, just that the second time around spread the wildflower seeds in a different direction from the first time. By doing this you will be sure that there will be no empty spots left on the site. Including the sand in the seed mixture would help ensure the even spreading of the seeds in the garden.

10.Compressing the seeds

After the wildflower seeds are planted, further press them into the dirt but do not use the rake or mulch them. Use the lawn mower if the garden area is large, but if the garden is small then just by walking over the area will do just fine. Pressing the seeds is vital in order for them to germinate and sprout successfully.

11.Waiting for the wildflowers to grow

There are many different type of wildflowers, and the time they take to germinate and sprout is different. Some species would need just eight days for their roots to grow and some would need longer period of time, even months.

12.Watering

When the seeds are in the germinating process, sufficient moisture is very important so that the new plants can grow well. For it to grow in a good environment make sure the moisture level is sustained throughout the first four to six weeks in the garden soil. When you see the wildflowers growing up, then you can slowly reduce the water amount in the garden.

13.Mulching

Mulching helps the wildflowers stay healthier as it retains moisture in the soil longer. Bark chips, shredded leaves or peat moss are good organic choices.

14.Clearing the weeds

When the wildflower seeds start to grow bigger, it is likely that unwanted grass and other plants would appear. Although the weeds and plants would not cause serious trouble to the wildflower plants, but the garden would look nicer and more organized once the weeds and unwanted plants are cleared from it.

15.Unwanted company

If animals are making appearances at your garden site and you are scared they will do harm, then you can try to scare them away. But there are little cases of animals causing much damage.

16.The beginning of the peak time

Remember to take pictures with your camera

17.Removing dead and unwanted plants

By cutting away the dying and unhealthy parts, it will give chances for the new flowers to grow. If you are aiming for a more luxurious look, then emphasize the top part of the wildlfower.

18.Replanting new seeds

Once the wildflowers have reached their peak period and bloomed, allow and extra two weeks for the plants to grow more. Once you see the new seeds becoming hard and changed into a shade of brown or black, then remove them from their original plant and place them on the garden bed for them to reseed.

19.Wildflowers should complement each other

When growing wildflowers in the garden you will have to make sure that the combination of the types of wildflowers matches in terms of their shade of color and their shape. Besides that, adding green grass can also add to the beauty and elegance of the wildflowers.

20.Storing seeds

If you find that you have extra seeds then it is best kept in a place where it is not humid and no sunlight. The wild flower seeds can be kept from as long as one to five years depending on their type.

Home | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Partners Page | Testimonials | The WolfDog Howl

Additional Options

 

© 2004-2007 Worldwide Information Supply Enterprises LLC - All Rights Reserved.