When to sow
Our mixes sow happily from early spring through to early autumn. Spring sowings tend to flower the same year; later sowings settle in and flower from the following spring. Both are good. Both are loved by the bees.
Where to sow
- A sunny patch in the garden, ideally one that gets at least half a day of sun.
- A window box on a south or west-facing sill works well too.
- A scruffy corner you've been wondering what to do with. Wildflowers love a soil that isn't too rich, so you generally don't need to add anything.
How to sow
- Clear the patch of any weeds and gently break up the top of the soil with a rake or your hands.
- Scatter the seeds across the surface. There's no need to bury them — they want light to germinate.
- Press the seeds in lightly with the back of a rake, your palm, or a child's careful tread.
- Water gently and keep the patch a little damp for the first couple of weeks. After germination, nature will largely take over.
After-care
- Don't be too tidy. A few self-seeded surprises through the season are part of the joy.
- Let the flowers go to seed at the end of summer. The seed heads feed birds and refill the patch for next year.
- A light cut back in late autumn keeps things looking cared-for without disturbing what's already settled in.
What to expect
Wildflowers are not a tidy line of identical plants. Different species emerge at different times, some quickly, some patiently waiting until the next year. The patch will look a little different every week through the season. That's the point.
Sowing details specific to each mix are on the product page. We'll add more guides over time as the patch (and the shop) grow.