Why: Adding native wildflowers to your yard, farm or homestead is an excellent way to support our declining populations of pollinators and create habitat to increase biodiversity on your property. This page was designed as a resource for wildflower seed packets that were given away as promotional material, but the information may be useful for you if you have obtained seed from other sources. The seeds in our packets were purchased from OPN Seed in Hiram, Ohio. If you would like to purchase more seed or need more information, please visit their website.
When and Where: Wildflower seed may be sown in the spring (active growing season), in the fall after the soil temperatures are below 50 F, or as a frost seeding after the freeze/thaw cycle has begun. Regardless of the timing, seeds should be sown into a well-prepared, weed-free area. To prepare the area without using tillage or chemicals, spread a thick layer of aged wood chips or bark mulch over 10 layers of newspaper or one layer of corrugated cardboard. This will smother the weeds and provide a planting medium for your seeds. Wild flower seeds can also be sown in containers and transplanted once the seedlings are established.
How to Sow: Wildflower seeds vary in size. Some are very tiny. When sowing your seed, divide the seed into two equal parts. Mix each half with sand, aged sawdust, or vermiculite as a seed carrier so that you are able to see where your seeds have been sown. If you are planting into wood chips or mulch, sow the seed on top in one direction with 1/2 of the mixture, then at 90 degrees with the other half. Finish by misting the seed gently with water to wash the seeds below the top layer. If you are sowing into containers, tamp the soil firm, sprinkle the seed over top and then cover with 1/8 to 1/4 inch of additional soil and water lightly.
Watering Instructions: Watering instructions are dependent upon your planting medium and when you sow your seeds. If you have planted into wood chips or mulch in the early spring, then you should not need to water your seeds. Once the spring rains have subsided, water regularly so that your seedlings do not dry out. You should continue watering your new plants throughout the first growing season. If you have planted into containers, water regularly so that the soil does not dry out, but do not over water!
Patience: Many wildflowers, including milkweed, do not form flowers the first year. It is important to be patient with your native plants and allow them 2-3 seasons to become established. Your patience will be rewarded! Thank you for being a partner in conservation!
When and Where: Wildflower seed may be sown in the spring (active growing season), in the fall after the soil temperatures are below 50 F, or as a frost seeding after the freeze/thaw cycle has begun. Regardless of the timing, seeds should be sown into a well-prepared, weed-free area. To prepare the area without using tillage or chemicals, spread a thick layer of aged wood chips or bark mulch over 10 layers of newspaper or one layer of corrugated cardboard. This will smother the weeds and provide a planting medium for your seeds. Wild flower seeds can also be sown in containers and transplanted once the seedlings are established.
How to Sow: Wildflower seeds vary in size. Some are very tiny. When sowing your seed, divide the seed into two equal parts. Mix each half with sand, aged sawdust, or vermiculite as a seed carrier so that you are able to see where your seeds have been sown. If you are planting into wood chips or mulch, sow the seed on top in one direction with 1/2 of the mixture, then at 90 degrees with the other half. Finish by misting the seed gently with water to wash the seeds below the top layer. If you are sowing into containers, tamp the soil firm, sprinkle the seed over top and then cover with 1/8 to 1/4 inch of additional soil and water lightly.
Watering Instructions: Watering instructions are dependent upon your planting medium and when you sow your seeds. If you have planted into wood chips or mulch in the early spring, then you should not need to water your seeds. Once the spring rains have subsided, water regularly so that your seedlings do not dry out. You should continue watering your new plants throughout the first growing season. If you have planted into containers, water regularly so that the soil does not dry out, but do not over water!
Patience: Many wildflowers, including milkweed, do not form flowers the first year. It is important to be patient with your native plants and allow them 2-3 seasons to become established. Your patience will be rewarded! Thank you for being a partner in conservation!