Planting Guide
Follow Natural Shoots’ seed sowing tips here, and please use our FAQ section too for slightly more detailed answers. We want you to have fun and success growing wild meadow flowers wherever you want to grow them. The more that flourish, the more nature benefits.
Planting for Success: How to Sow Wildflower Meadow Seeds
1.
Clear the Area
Remove all weeds and grass (eg nettles, thistles, dock leaves, and plant debris) from the planting site, flowerpots, or containers.
Remove all weeds and grass (eg nettles, thistles, dock leaves, and plant debris) from the planting site, flowerpots, or containers.
2.
Prepare the Soil: Dig over the soil with a hand fork or garden fork.
Break down the soil to a fine, crumbly texture with a rake if a large area is planned. Add a little sharp sand to the soil to help with drainage. Do not add compost or fertiliser. Wildflowers grow best on what is technically called "poor" soil.
Break down the soil to a fine, crumbly texture with a rake if a large area is planned. Add a little sharp sand to the soil to help with drainage. Do not add compost or fertiliser. Wildflowers grow best on what is technically called "poor" soil.
3.
Sow the Wildflower Meadow Seeds
At a depth of 2-3cm and cover with the loose soil. Use 3 grams of seeds per 1m² (1 case of seeds), or adjust the distribution of the seeds based on your design.
At a depth of 2-3cm and cover with the loose soil. Use 3 grams of seeds per 1m² (1 case of seeds), or adjust the distribution of the seeds based on your design.
4.
Press the earth covering the seeds down firmly
To ensure good soil contact between the earth and the surface of the seed. This step will significantly help germination.
To ensure good soil contact between the earth and the surface of the seed. This step will significantly help germination.
5.
Water
Lightly every other day for the first 2 weeks in dry and sunny weather or if the nights are cold and windy.
Lightly every other day for the first 2 weeks in dry and sunny weather or if the nights are cold and windy.
When should I expect to see growth?
Flowering varies by species and weather conditions, but typical timings are as follows:
Within the first 7–10 days
Green shoots called nurse grasses start to appear. The plants look like cress.
After 2 - 3 weeks
Root growth continues, and upward growth follows as the root systems establish themselves.
After 4 - 6 weeks
Plants begin to reach their optimum height and flower heads appear before starting to bloom.
You can sow wildflower meadow seeds in two seasons; Summer and Autumn
The table below is intended as a guide. Each year is different, so please keep that in mind. Also, as a broad planning principle seeds sown in pots or container may germinate a little faster because the earth will get warmed from the side. They may flower sooner as well depending on the location of the pots or containers and set seed sooner as a result.
Spring
Wildflower meadow seeds benefit from warming soil and air temperatures, longer days and more sunlight. However, they may take longer to establish themselves if they have to compete with grasses and weeds, so they are best removed.
Autumn
Wildflower meadow seeds benefit from increased moisture levels to grow before pausing their development for the winter months. As they establish themselves, they will reduce weed growth and be ready for the next Spring.
