Wildflowers provide insects with a valuable food source. At the right location, the area develops into a species-rich habitat. Before sowing, you need to prepare the soil so that the seed will germinate successfully.
Wildflowers like poor soil
soil and location
Poor in nutrients and well-drained soils are ideal for creating a wildflower meadow. The poorer the soil, the easier it is to create and maintain a meadow of native plants. Nutrient-rich locations offer good growth conditions for the competitive grasses of the fertile meadows. After a few years, such a location will result in the grass crowding out the wildflowers. If the substrate has a high nutrient content, you should remove the top layer of soil and mix in sand or fine gravel. A place in the sun that is as unencumbered as possible is suitable as a location.
preparations
An open ground is a prerequisite for the light-demanding wildflower seeds to germinate. Sowing directly into an existing lawn is not promising. Dig the lawn completely to create an open area. If the lawn is heavily compacted, loosen it deeply. After digging, wait about three weeks and repeat the process. This dries up the fresh seedlings that have developed from the seeds in the ground. Undesirable species are reduced. Water the area generously before sowing.
Collect seeds from wildflowers that grow along the roadside. Seed mixes for wildflower meadows are inexpensive. Since they mainly contain annual species, the flowering splendor is over after a short time.
Advantages of self-collected seeds:
- regional origin
- native species
- colorful biodiversity of annual and perennial plants
sowing
Sow the seed in spring between April and June. During this time of year, the temperatures are optimal for the seeds to germinate quickly. Late sowing can result in fast-growing grasses spreading across the area and taking the light out of wildflower seeds.
A few grams of seeds per square meter are usually sufficient. Mix the seeds well with sawdust or dry sand. This enables even sowing. The wildflowers of the meadow communities are light germs. After you have distributed the seed over the area, you should press it down well with a board or a lawn roller. After sowing, the area must not dry out.