Answers and suggestions for big project please

Sorrry for the long post, but I think some background is necessary.

My husband farms we're lucky enough that our home is on one continuous mile of our farm ground.

It's always bugged me that farmers around here mow miles and miles of "fence rows" that edge the roads of their fields. I always thought it was a waste of fuel and time. I asked my husband why they do it and he said "to make it look good". With fuel costs what they are now I've finally decided to try something I've dreamed of doing for a while.

I have a huge backyard and nearly every square inch has a flower growing from it. I have been gathering seeds for several years now and starting my own stuff indoors in the winter. I have tons of seed and I want to start sowing them in the fence rows. It will look great and no more mowing. I'm going to start with the first .2 of a mile to the north of our house so I don't go nuts, then spread to the .7 to the south.


I need help with when and how to sow the seed. My first batch I have been collecting is mixture of hardy seed that either self seeds like crazy or is a perrenial that don't need to stratify. This mix contains Nicotiana, four o'clocks, red salvia, cone flower, gaillardia, black eyed susans, hyssop, scabiosa, I thought I'd broadcast these in March. will this work?

But I also have tons of verbena and other seed that needs to winter over that I'd love to plant, but don't know if I can sow it now or how to prepare the ground.

I also have lots of different daylily seed, nastutium, cockscomb, zinnia, snapdragon, phlox, sweet william, dianthus, black eyed susan vine, cobea scandens, coleus, torrenia, angolina, butterfly bush, hydrangea, weigellia and more that I need to know when, if and how to sow. Man I have more stuff than I thought, but I thought listing them would help someone see a good one to use.

Please help

Thanks
Barbara

Wow, you're right, it's a huge project, but I really hope you do it, and post pictures! Sounds fantastic.

I'd say that you're right on with the first group of seeds, assuming that your last frost date has passed when you sow.

As far as preparing the soil for the fall sown stuff, I would do it the same as the others - rake or otherwise disturb the soil and perhaps water the seeds in.

Many of the seeds in your 3rd paragraph could be sown with the spring mix, or just before if you want to transplant - nasturtiums, zinnas and dianthus (I think...). You might want to post this over on the seed starting forum, as well.

Thanks for your response.

I've found some good info on seed naturalization sites that seems to apply to what I want to do!

That sounds like it will be breathtakingly beautiful. I agree with pagancat, I would start as many of the perennials and self seeding annuals as soon as it frosts and then wait until spring for the others. Please post pictures.,

Too, the longer you wait, the less viability those seeds will have, so you might as well jump. You'll lose a certain amount to birds, weather, etc. - so those that you really prize you might want to just raise by hand.

one thing no one talked about is if you plan on cutting them at any time? If so you will need to time it just right to make sure you have plenty of mature seeds that will broadcast when cut back. Just a thought. Great idea. alot of states are doing this on a small scale with wild flower gardens along side the roads and in medians. I love the idea on how to save money on fuel. have you thought about seeking out a grant to make your project large scale??? just some random thoughts
Dave

Thanks everyone

I wondered if there was some sort of government or farm bureau program....my husband gets partially funded for having terraces dug to combat erosion, and he said he's heard of people even getting fish for ponds! Big ponds. Do you have any suggestions where I can look for info??

I was reading about naturalizing. They suggest killing all the grass/weeds with roundup or similiar then when it's dead to rake it up. My husband has an implementthat he can drag over the area that will pick up the weeds and slightly scratch the soil.

Then the advice differs from site to site. Some say plant right after the first frost, some say to sprinkle on snow, and say wait until early spring. So pagancat it seems your suggestions could be correct. I hadn't thought about the seed viability. I guess because I've always had decent germ from gathered seeds I've gathered.

I have a golf cart that I plan to use to drive along and throw the seed....I've been gathering seed every extra waking minute! I even grabbed seed in my son's yard when I went to see my new grandbaby! lol

Keep the suggestions coming!

I think I would start with the county extension serve and maybe the local farm bureau. I would think most farmers would welcome this solution as the seed from the roads will infiltrait the crop area as well as cutting down their time, energy and expenses on mowing the areas. I just like to ask everyone and everybody you can think of. if there is a college in your town or the ag department of a college nearest your farm. a lot of colleges get grants and funding from both state and federal.
How does your husband apply for the grants for the errosion controll? You might start there.
Dave

My husband goes through the dept of Agriculture I think

I'll keep you posted

Very cool!