How to plant a Wildflower Meadow:
Wildflower meadows require a lot of careful designing and preparation, which Glorious Gardens can do for you, but here are the general steps to plant a wildflower meadow:
You need to make sure firstly what soil you are working with for example clay, chalk, loam, and sand.
- Clay. This is a type of soil that is extremely dense and therefore can retain water and nutrients for long periods of time. This can be great for dry spells but it’s also more prone to waterlogging and root rot. Compost can be added to help break up the clay particles. Flowers such as Daylillies, Coneflowers, Sedums, and Yarrow can perform well in clay soil.
- Chalk. Chalky soil has a high PH, affecting nutrient availability to plants. It also drains water very quickly, and this can be counteracted with mulching and regular watering. However, Lavender, Yarrow, Rosemary, Honeysuckle, and Sedums can tolerate this soil.
- Loam. This is regarded as one of the best soils for gardening. It has a combination of sand, silt, and clay, balancing drainage and moisture retention really well. Therefore, this soil can host a variety of plants successfully.
- Sand. This soil has a gritty texture, because of the amount of sand in it. It also has fast drainage and low water and nutrient retention. This is not ideal for plants in hot and dry seasons. It’s a good idea to add compost to sandy soils to replenish nutrients. However, it has many air pockets which are great to aerate plant roots. Cacti and Succulents, Lavender, and Rosemary are well-suited to more sandy soils.
- Location. An area that receives a lot of sunlight is ideal, as most flowers need 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. The soil should be well-draining and not overly fertile, as wildflowers thrive in nutrient-poor soils.
- Soil preparation. Removing any existing vegetation, such as grass or weeds is great. Loosen the top layer of the soil, but not too deep otherwise dormant weeds can be brought to the surface.
- Weed control. Hand-weeding or using a weed-suppressant membrane for example to control weeds is better than using chemical pesticides, as these can damage wildlife.
- Choosing seeds. Using seeds suited to the local conditions is advised, and ones that bloom throughout the year are also ideal to support as much wildlife as possible. A variety of colours and wildflower species is great to attract different wildlife.
- Seed sowing. Some seeds may benefit from a period of cold treatment before being transferred to the soil. Wildflower seeds should be scattered evenly, and you can use a carrier material like sand to mix in with the seeds to create an even distribution.
- Raking and tamping. Lightly raking the soil is good to ensure seed-to-soil contact and germination. Tamping is pressing the soil with the back of a rake to press the seeds into the ground so they are less susceptible to soil erosion.
- Watering. Before the flowers have established, watering is particularly important for germination, which may take weeks to months depending on the species. The soil should stay moist but not waterlogged.
- Maintenance. Watering during dry spells, reducing weeds, and avoiding fertiliser are all important aspects of wildflower meadow maintenance. Wildflower meadows also benefit from occasional rejuvenation, by raking the meadow to promote new growth.
