It’s Time To Plant Your Wildflowers

Texas wildflower lovers should know that now is the time to plant their favorite varieties for blooms in spring, said Joseph Johnson, program manager for The Gardens at Texas A&M University.

Planting in the fall — before the start of the rainy season — will give your wildflowers time to germinate and gain a good root system before going dormant during the winter.

“It is good to use a wildflower mix with several different species to ensure year-round interests and not just blooms for the spring,” he said. “This will give you an array of colors, but also an opportunity to see what does especially well in your wildflower area for the next year. If you let your flowers go to seed, you could see them again and again from year to year.”

Soil prep is essential

Preparing your soil is key to gaining an array of wildflowers worth taking the family’s photo in. Ensure soil-seed contact by tilling and tamping the seeds into the soil. Water the area lightly following planting to settle the seeds into the soil.

“If you are partial to bluebonnets, consider planting them in full sun with good drainage,” he said. “Otherwise, an area with a minimum of six hours of sunlight should be sufficient.”

Don’t over-water, and don’t fertilize, he added. A little bit of care goes a long way for the state flower.

Scatter your seeds

Spread your seeds over your prepped soil according to the instructions of your selected seed mix, or spread them thicker for a more full meadow.

Once your seeds are in place, take a walk around the area to compress the seeds into the ground for good germination. Don’t bury or cover them though. The seeds need good exposure to sun.

Enjoy the blooms

Because of the fall planting, the seeds should not require too much care and watering. Blooms should begin to appear in early spring, depending on the weather, and with a good seed variety, may continue into summer.