Can I Plant Wild Flower Seeds in the Fall?

Sow wildflower seeds in late fall.

Cool soil temperatures make fall an ideal time to plant wildflower seeds. Wildflower seeds sown late in the fall lie dormant on the ground through the winter, then germinate and grow the following spring.

Seed Bed Preparation

Sow wildflower seeds in well-prepared beds.

Prepare the area the wildflowers will grow in the spring before planting. Choose an area with well-drained, moist soil. Work leaf mulch or compost into the soil. Keep the seed bed free of weeds.

Sowing Wildflower Seeds

Light snow will press wildflower seeds into the soil.

Wildflower seeds require moisture to germinate. Make sure the seeds make good contact with the soil by gently pressing them down into it. Water well. An ideal time to sow wildflower seeds is when there is a light rain or during an early season snowfall.

Maintenance

Wildflower gardens require some maintenance to keep them looking good.

Pull weeds as necessary. Allow the plants to go to seed in the fall and allow the seed to drop into the garden bed. It is okay to mow, or cut down, a wildflower bed in the late fall, but wait until the plants have set seed. Divide over-crowded plants in the spring as necessary.

References

• Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Wildflowers
• University of Missouri Extension: Wildflowers in the Home Landscape
• University of Minnesota Extension: Common Questions about Wildflowers and Native Plants
• Purdue University: Methods of Installation for Prairie Wildflowers
• Utah State University Extension: Wildflowers

Resources

• "Wildflowers"; William Cullina; 2000
• "Creating a Wildflower Meadow"; Henry W. Art; 1988
• "Wildflowers in Your Garden"; Viki Ferreniea and Carol Bolt; 1993
• "How to Grow the Wildflowers"; by Eric A. Johnson and Scott Millard; 1993
• "Landscaping with Wildflowers"; James W. Wilson; 1993