   Planting Next Year's Wildflowers - October 11, 2000 Jeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County As we ease into fall and days begin to cool down, think about sowing wildflower seeds in that rough area of your yard. Look for an informal area that seems to grow few weeds, needs little or no mowing, and has some bare soil that can qualify as a seedbed. Add occasional irrigation and you'll greatly improve your chances for wildflower success. A light interspersing of native grasses can compliment wildflower plantings and create a natural looking meadow. Wildflower areas are full of surprises. Some wildflowers prefer growing in shady microclimates and others prefer direct sun. Annual wildflowers produce many seeds that expand their range. This allows them to quickly migrate to areas where they grow best. Perennials are better suited for the long haul: producing mostly foliage and roots during the first year then flowers and seeds in successive years. Perennials reward those with patience. Well-adapted wildflowers naturalize over time and seed will accumulate. They can lie dormant in the soil for many years until conditions are just right for their germination. Most wildflowers can be planted now because of their need for the seed to experience cold, damp conditions (hopefully resembling a normal winter) prior to germination. This is a biological insurance policy built into these plants. Without this trait, germination would occur too early and harsh freezing weather would kill or severely stress the seedling. Many gardeners stratify the seed by putting it in a moist container (inside a slightly damp paper towel in a ziplock bag) just above freezing (in the refrigerator). Just because you plant wildflowers, don't think that you will never have to weed. Weed seeds are banked in the soil like wildflowers and it takes a keen eye to recognize weeds amongst your wildflowers when they are seedlings. Pull them early to increase space for your wildflower crop. Just learn the difference between weeds and wildflowers (sometimes this is a matter of opinion) before you pull. Do not collect wild seeds. This only reduces native populations and may be illegal with respect to many plants. Rather, buy your seeds from a local supplier or a reputable catalog company. This will ensure greater success and provide a source of advice. Many seed companies provide explicit instructions on stratification, sowing methods, and other treatments that improve germination. Another piece of advice: do not purchase very inexpensive an "Meadow in a Can" or other unlabeled, questionable seed. These mixes likely contain weed seeds and/or wildflower seeds of limited quality. Several reputable companies market wildflower seed mixes that are suitable for our area. Expect to pay roughly $8.00 per ounce. One ounce will seed roughly 400 square feet (10' x 40'). Beginners can try these easy wildflowers: California or Mexican gold poppies (Eschscholzia sp.), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata), Western spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis), blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella), and/or blue flax (Linum perenne lewisii). These species are easy to germinate and should be successful. Other species can be harder to get established, but will reward you with interesting and beautiful characteristics. There are so many that I will not name them here. Talk to your local, reputable nursery professional for advice. In addition, for those of you that are web surfers, visit Plants of the Southwest in Santa Fe, New Mexico's web site at: www.plantsofthesouthwest.com. It is full of helpful hints and color pictures of each species. They also have a catalogue available for $3.50. Just call (800) 788-SEED. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on horticulture and natural resources. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 or E-mail us at mgardener@kachina.net and be sure to include your address and phone number. The Yavapai County Cooperative Extension web site is http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/. |