1. WHEN TO PLANT:
 For
mild winter areas, plant in the Fall, or just before the rainy season.
For cold winter areas, plant in early spring, just after danger of
frost.
 2.
CULTIVATE SOIL/ORGANIC MATERIAL:
Plow,
rototill, hand dig or somehow breakup the soil and amend with humus,
ground bark, aged sawdust or wood shavings to allow for good root and
water penetration of the soil. This operation is the most important part
of the whole process if you want a healthy drought tolerant lawn it will
need deep roots.
3. PREPLANT WEED CONTROL:
Incorporate
fertilizer and level to final grade. Water as per #8 for at least two
weeks to germinate any weed seeds. Spray with a contact weed killer
(ROUND-UP has proven very effective) following manufacturers
instructions carefully. Weeds should be dead within 4 to 5 days. Resume
watering one day after spraying for an additional 7 days, If more weeds
appear, spray again. Do not pull weeds or cultivate the area after last
kill. This will bring unwanted weed seed to the surface.
4. RAKE THE SURFACE SMOOTH:
Lightly
rake the surface to break up the crust formed by your watering cycles.
5. SCATTER SEEDS:
Sow
at the recommended seeding rate. Sow 1/4 of the seed to the entire area
in one application. Follow with the next three applications in different
directions. When spreading by hand it may be helpful to add sand or
sawdust with the seed mix. For best results use a hand crank operated
seed spreader.
6. RAKE SEED INTO THE SURFACE LIGHTLY:
Using
a bamboo or fan rake, brush the seed barely under the soil. Roll the
surface with an empty lawn roller to set the seed in contact with the
soil.
7. MULCH LIGHTLY:
This
is optional, though mulching with 1/8th inch of a rich
organic soil, sawdust or peat moss
will provide shade to new seedlings and help retain moisture.
8. WATERING:
Thoroughly
water complete area with a fine mist nozzle. For the first three weeks
water as often as is required to keep the surface soil damp. After
emergence of the seedlings be careful not to over water and cause fungus
or damping off as this will kill the young seedlings. For the second
three weeks gradually reduce the frequency of watering until by the
third three week period you are watering deeply once a week.By now your
native wildflowers should be pretty well established and can make it on
their own. They will need occasional watering during a dry season, and
extra watering will prolong their blooming period.
9. CONTROL WEEDS:
Hand
weeding is easier early in the growing season, but delay if you are
unsure of what you are pulling up.
10. HAVE FUN:
Discover
the joy of collecting an unlimited supply of fresh cut flowers from a
full variety of species. Cutting blossoms will encourage new growth and
more flowers. Its best to water area well a day or two before. After the
blooming period, in the late Fall or late Winter, cut back to plants
with a string type weed cutter. Shake the seed out of the cuttings
before taking to your compost site. Mulch lightly as above with last
years compost. Naturalize your wildflowers this way and be rewarded with
many seasons of low maintenance color.
Go Wild With
S&S Wildflower Seed Mixes
Plant Now-No Regrets Later! |
