In Texas, FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO PLANT and that includes wildflowers. They add so much beauty to any landscape and can be used in with other annuals or can be grown in fields. The most important thing is to decide; will the area that I have in mind support these panoply of flowers?
FACTORS
1. Does the site support plants now?
2. If no rainfall, can I supply water to the site?
3. Is there at least 8 hours of sunlight?
4. Is the soil real compacted? Does the area drain well?
5. October 1 – December 1 is the ideal time to plant!
SOWING YOUR WILDFLOWERS
1. Prepare the area in advance. This may take several weeks so start in late August / early September.
2. Mow the area very low and spray with Hi-Yield Kill-Zall or similar. It may take several applications but once the grass is dead clean out all debris.
3. Lightly till the area to a depth of one inch.
4. Mix masonry sand, topsoil, or compost with the seed will help the seed to increase in volume and aid in even distribution over the area. Mix 4 parts material to 1 part seed.
5. Broadcast ½ the seed in one direction (north-south) and broadcast the remaining (east-west). REMINDER: OCTOBER 1 – DECEMBER 1 (BEST TIME TO SOW!!!)
6. Press the seed into the soil by walking or rolling over the newly planted area. Do not cover the seed any deeper than 1/16”. Some of the seeds will remain visible.
7. Ground temperatures must be above 70o F for the seeds to germinate. Keep the seeds moist for 4-6 weeks! If the ground is too cold the seeds will remain dormant until more favorable conditions occur.
8. After growth occurs: when the dead brown foliage offsets the floral color display, the area can be trimmed. Mow to a height of 4”-6”.
TOP TEN PERENNIALS (WILDFLOWERS)
- Indian Blanket
- Purple Coneflower
- Texas Primrose
- Coreopsis
- Phlox
- Fall Aster
- Rudbeckia
- Gayfeather
- Verbena
- Blue Salvia