w i l d f l o w e r s . . .
Giving over a small area of your garden to wildflowers can help to attract beneficial insects and birds. In addition, the cornfield annuals will give you a burst of colour in one year and can also be used to over-sow established wildflower beds to increase the varieties and provide extra colour. The perennial mix offers a great range of species and includes a good proportion of annuals so that you will have plenty of colour in the first year. Finally, the wild bird mix is perfect if, as well as enticing bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects into your garden, you want to provide birds with a feast of food over the winter months.
How to grow...
Choose a site which has not been recently fertilised. Your wildflowers will grow well in poor soil, whereas weeds and fast growning grasses will thrive in soil high in nutrients. Firstly, clear your plot and dig it over, removing stones as you go. Next, rake and then firm down the soil by treading on it.
The ideal time of year to sow your wildflower seeds is March/April. It is a good idea to mix the seeds with sand (say 4 of sand to one part seed) to help distribute the seeds evenly and see if you have missed any areas. Gently rake over the soil.
Apart from removing any weeds you can see, ideally leave your wildflower patch undisturbed until February or March the following year, then cut down to about 10cm in height, leaving the cuttings in situ. Once dried, shake the cuttings to release any final seeds and remove. You may want to re-sow some cornfield annuals into the wildflower bed each Spring.
wildflower seeds - throw and grow seeds
