Kitchen Garden Forum

This year and last lots of farmers have been planting their set aside to wild flowers - they look fabulous.

This year I have bought a box of seeds which say they can be sown in autumn or spring. Is it better to plant now so they flower earlier next year, or wait until spring?

I'm just a bit worried that the weeds, which look the same at that stage, will take over during the winter (they don't seem to stop growing here) before the wild flowers get a hold.

I'm hoping to get a couple of beehives next spring, so think the wild flowers will be good.

Hello goldilox, sowing wildflowers onto soil with existing vegetation (or weed seeds) is always a bit iffy. In general, I would sow in autumn because many wildflower seeds need 'vernalisation', that is a prolonged cold spell, before they will germinate, though I am not sure how you are fixed for that in SW France (having said that, our son in Lot-et-Garonne regularly has severe frosts!).
My preference, however, would be to sow the seeds into clean soil in pots or seed boxes now, prick them out into pots next spring and then plant them into the ground next autumn.
All the above assumes that they are perennials and not annuals like cornflowers, poppies or corn marigold. And did you buy them locally?

Hi Monika,
We are a bit further south than your son, but yes, we do get frost. It often gets down to about -2deg during the night, and 2 years ago we even had -12deg! Luckily, we were away at the time

The seeds are actually a mix of perennials, annuals and bi-annuals, and were bought locally. Does that mean they should really be planted straight into the soil?

Hi Goldilox,
You would imagine that growing wild flowers would be easy-peasy but it really isn't.
I agree with Monika that to grow them in modules and then plant out is really the best method.
When you have raised your plants it is best to clear a small area and plant many of the same sort in clumps over the area. This ultimately allows them to seed and you will get a continuation. To scatter seed is simple a waste of time and effort with a very poor return. It takes quite a few seasons to get the desired effect but in the end it is well worth it. I think that by growing in clumps you tend to get a better pollination rate, cross pollination from plant to plant, whereas a single plant may fail to produce any viable seeds.
I know what I am trying to convey to you but am finding it difficult to find the right words.
I do hope that you can get the gist of what I mean.
JB.

Hi Johnboy,
Yes, I do see what you mean - the only problem I've got is that it's a box of mixed seed. But maybe when they've germinated I'll be able to tell which are which and separate them. I'll try that anyway.
Thanks for your help.
Chris