Easy Wildflower Landscaping

Wildflower Lawns and Meadows - Mow, Sow and Grow

Feb 14, 2007
Georgene A. Bramlage

Compost and barrier-mulches are the secrets to easy wildflower landscaping. Establish wildflower meadows and lawns without using a pre-planting contact herbicide.

Wildflower meadows and wildflower lawns can be easy to establish without using a pre-planting contact herbicide. The secrets to easy wildflower landscaping are mature compost and barrier-mulches. Typical commercial wildflower seed mixtures result in lawns and meadows that usually stay in good condition for about three years.

The Mow, Sow and Grow Wildflower Meadows and Lawns method is the outcome of studies by Professor Allen V. Barker and his students at the University of MA, Amherst. They used various biodegradable weed barriers, composts and seed mixtures to develop helpful and successful procedures. Massachusetts trials showed that barrier-mulch combinations blocked weed seed germination, even perennial ones.

Here are well thought-out instructions for Mow, Sow and Grow Wildflower Meadows and Lawns that result from Barker's work:

Spring seeding is the best.

Mow closely or till lightly the desired area.

Cover the prepared area with a biodegradable weed barrier like a single sheet of brown Kraft paper or four sheets of newspaper (black and white print).

Spread one-half to one-inch of mature compost evenly over the barrier. Biosolids (a variety of municipal wastewater treatment sludge) and wood chips, or farm manures and crop residues produce the best composts for this method. Homemade compost that includes leaves and yard wastes contain living weed seeds and are usually low in nutrients.

Sow the wildflower seeds (mixed with sawdust if desired, to ensure even coverage) and rake lightly onto the compost at rates suggested by the seed supplier. Normally one ounce of mixed seed covers 150 to 200 square feet.

Water lightly several times per day for about the first three weeks. Seedlings are fragile at this stage and die without these soakings.

Wet once per week with one-half inch of water after seedling roots have penetrated the barrier.

Expect to renovate after the third season of growth. Typical seed mixtures contain naturalized species such as ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) which are more vigorous, stronger than other preferred species, and take over. Seeds from plants such as goldenrod (Solidago spp.) and thistle (Cirsium spp.) blow in and also take over.

Source: Barker, A. V., Landscaping with Wildflowers Using Compost, Hort Notes 6(5), May 1, 1995, 3. (Cooperative Extension Service, French Hall, University of MA, Amherst, MA, 01003)