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To sow or not to sow wildflower seeds?

gouldahgouldah Posts: 34
in Problem solving
Hi. I live in Kent so quite mild weather I have prepared my wildflower meadow and have bought seeds suitable for chalk and limestone. 
1. Should I sow them now or is it too late and should I leave it to March now? 
2. If I leave it til March I might be able to remove other growth in the prepared soil thus giving the wildflower seeds no competition? 
3. I have sown quite a lot of hardy annuals which are now at the pricking out stage. Do I do that now and overwinter in the cold greenhouse? This is a new venture for me and I am not sure how to proceed - these will all be plug plants  for putting in the meadow as well. 

Help! 

Anne 

Posts

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    It's a tricky one. I believe that many wild flower seeds are best sown fresh so now would be right. At this time of year however there is always a risk that seed will just sit in wet ground and not germinate.  Hopefully someone more expert will see this and give you a clear answer.
    AB Still learning

  • gouldahgouldah Posts: 34
    Thanks for answering anyway! My thoughts as well. 
  • gouldahgouldah Posts: 34
    Thank you- I am leaning towards that!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Agree too. You're trying to replicate nature, but in nature, even a plant producing thousands of seeds will lose many of them to weather and birds etc. 
    If you have thousands, there's nothing much to lose by sowing some, in a slightly more protected environment, and by that, I mean outside in pots/trays, with maybe chicken wire over them to prevent them being eaten. Against a wall to prevent saturation. 
    Then you can do some in spring as well.  :)

    The hardy annuals you already have can be pricked out if they're big enough, and potted on, but I wouldn't put them in a greenhouse if they're suitable for going in a meadow, especially if they've been sown outside and are there just now. Again, against a wall just to give them a little protection as they'd be in pots, rather than growing in the ground directly from seed. If they're already inside, then you'd need to keep them there unless you can harden them off now and get them outside [ and that will depend on your conditions ] but make sure they aren't over cosseted from now on.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • gouldahgouldah Posts: 34
    Really great advice thank you! 
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