Wildflower seed help
Discussion
I’ve got a section of my garden that I want to change to a bee friendly, wildlife friendly.
Ideally I want to buy wildflower seed and spread it over the area.
Has anyone got advise on the best seed to use, that won’t break the bank.
Also have I missed the ideal time to seed this year ?
Any advise would be great.
Simpo Two said:
How u doing said:
If you just leave it alone, stuff that likes the area will just move in and happen.
A real wildflower meadow is quite an ecological triumph. Yer average patch of wasteland is more likely to end up as nettles then brambles...Ask your local wildlife trust. They may be able to give you some seed and they should be able to give you some advice.
Buying a mix of seeds will produce a load of flowers, and that in itself is very likely to help pollinators, but it won't be natural and you'll almost certainly get something different coming out of the ground on year two.
If you wanted to create something like a "natural" meadow, which stretches "natural" somewhat as they're the product of animal grazing, you'd want to find out what type of soil you've got, what mix of wild plants grow locally on the same type of soil and then work from there.
Buying a mix of seeds will produce a load of flowers, and that in itself is very likely to help pollinators, but it won't be natural and you'll almost certainly get something different coming out of the ground on year two.
If you wanted to create something like a "natural" meadow, which stretches "natural" somewhat as they're the product of animal grazing, you'd want to find out what type of soil you've got, what mix of wild plants grow locally on the same type of soil and then work from there.
We did an area about half a tennis court in size. Cost about £20 in seed. Mix the seed first, we didn't and its very evident where each box of seed ended and the next began.
Now isn't the time to sow, needs to be later in the year near September / October. It's a slow burn so be patient with it.
Now isn't the time to sow, needs to be later in the year near September / October. It's a slow burn so be patient with it.
We did our front garden with seeds from here: https://www.wildflower.co.uk/wildflower-seed-mixtu...
They are indeed £220 per kg but as the so rare is 3g per sq/m I can’t imagine many people needing a kg!
First year was quite disappointing but this year it’s great. Thigh high and loads of flowers
They are indeed £220 per kg but as the so rare is 3g per sq/m I can’t imagine many people needing a kg!
First year was quite disappointing but this year it’s great. Thigh high and loads of flowers
55palfers said:
Make sure the mix is of native British wild flowers though.
I bought some so called wild flower seed off eBay. It came from China. It only propagated one type of plant that is a well known weed most people try to eradicate from their gardens as it's rampant. One years seeds, seven years weeds and all that, still trying to get rid of it now.Buy cheap, buy twice. Buy from China then get crap.
Get good quality British seed.
We use Cotswold seeds.
There is a world of difference between bunging a load of annual wild flower seeds in and actually establishing a meadow. For a meadow, you need non-vigorous grasses and a s
t load of yellow rattle. Rattle is a grass parasite, knocks down the grass, and allows other stuff to grow. About 5 years after we carpet bombed our field with rattle, the annuals are just about starting to survive.
If you want something bee friendly now, lob a load of borage in.
There is a world of difference between bunging a load of annual wild flower seeds in and actually establishing a meadow. For a meadow, you need non-vigorous grasses and a s
t load of yellow rattle. Rattle is a grass parasite, knocks down the grass, and allows other stuff to grow. About 5 years after we carpet bombed our field with rattle, the annuals are just about starting to survive. If you want something bee friendly now, lob a load of borage in.
rxe said:
We use Cotswold seeds.
There is a world of difference between bunging a load of annual wild flower seeds in and actually establishing a meadow. For a meadow, you need non-vigorous grasses and a st load of yellow rattle. Rattle is a grass parasite, knocks down the grass, and allows other stuff to grow. About 5 years after we carpet bombed our field with rattle, the annuals are just about starting to survive.
If you want something bee friendly now, lob a load of borage in.
Yup, yellow rattle is the secret weapon...There is a world of difference between bunging a load of annual wild flower seeds in and actually establishing a meadow. For a meadow, you need non-vigorous grasses and a s
t load of yellow rattle. Rattle is a grass parasite, knocks down the grass, and allows other stuff to grow. About 5 years after we carpet bombed our field with rattle, the annuals are just about starting to survive. If you want something bee friendly now, lob a load of borage in.
Well I never... https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plan...
We got our rattle from the local golf course - the groundsman had established a meadow over about 20 years. We spent a Sunday morning there 6 years ago gathering bin bags full of the stuff. We’ve now got several huge patches of it which are gradually covering the entire 7 acres.
The groundsman retired 2 years ago and the golfists decided the meadow was untidy and sprayed the lot off. tts.
The groundsman retired 2 years ago and the golfists decided the meadow was untidy and sprayed the lot off. t
ts.Have a read of this, doesnt have to be wildflowers per se...
https://www.bbka.org.uk/gardening-for-bees
https://www.bbka.org.uk/gardening-for-bees
Edited by Turn7 on Saturday 5th June 19:28
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