Hi! Think I've found my forum. I have a 10x25 area that I decided to make into a wildflower garden. As GodsLilGarden knows the soil here is sand so I thought It would be easy to plant hardy wildfowers. Two years ago in the fall I spread a packet of wildflower seeds that I bought from a Wisc. wildflower grower. Last year the garden was full of blackeyed susans and plants I couldn't begin to identify. It was great except the blackeyed susans developed a blackish fungus type disease so I pulled most of them out and started with different seeds last year of mostly ratibidas. They did not come up and the ratibidas that I bought this year are dying. (There is a pic of it in garden foes) The plants are all doing poorly except for the coneflowers. I don't care to use chemicals because I want it to attract hummingbirds and butterflies... Any ideas? thanks..cj
no luck
cjean, that's one of the pitfalls of the "wildflower mixes" - it's hard to know exactly what's in there, and whether you'll get a consisent mix year after year. (Not to mention that many of the "wildflowers" are not necessarily native to this country, let alone to your region.)
With sandy soil and a less-than-optimal flower mix right now, it might pay to spread down some compost now or this fall, then try again next spring. I wouldn't till it in, as that could wind up turning up more weed seeds to germinate next spring.
Wildseed Farms in Texas (http://gardenwatchdog.com/c/343/) puts out "regional mixes" that are designed for each area of the country. Their free brochure is definitely worth requesting to help give you some ideas.
But there are other companies closer to you geographically that may be able to provide you with other choices that have been grown in your climate. These companies are in Minnesota: http://gardenwatchdog.com/advanced.php?state=mn&country=US&category=30&search_text=&submit=Search
These companies are in Canada: http://gardenwatchdog.com/advanced.php?state=xx&country=CA&category=30&search_text=&submit=Search
Thanks Terry, some really great info. at these sites. I think I need to do more research and plan smarter for next year! cj
I would ask a county agent about what grows wild and is easily adaptable to the garden. And in the library, you can probably find some wildflower books specific to your area. Then you can look for sources for seed, and next spring maybe you can harvest some with the permission of landowners. Be sure to plant a lot of them, as Mother Nature does. And remember, some might not show up the first year or two but will germinate later when conditions are most favorable. I like to put my wild seed in the fridge for a day or more, to kill out the crawlies which often feed on seed. Then I put them into labelled envelopes and seal them until it's time to plant. It's also a good idea to take your camera and a journal when harvesting so you know what you have when they pop up. Sometimes I start them in newspaper "liners" to be sure I know what I have, then they aren't shocked when I place them into the ground. Many wildflower plants don't transplant readily.
Thanks for the great ideas..hope to have better luck next spring. cj