MeadowSow™

Wildflowers require specific conditions to grow successfully. Factors such as soil type, sunlight, and water availability can all impact the growth and health of your wildflowers. One of the most important factors is soil preparation. Wildflowers prefer well-draining soil that is free of weeds. Its best to eradicate all weeds 2-3 weeks prior to sowing to give the meadow the best chance of establishing successfully. Our regular training days cover all aspects of establishing a meadow from seed.

Generally, it takes 3-5 years to establish a fully flowering meadow, however you will see some of the annual’s flower during the first year, if included in your mix.

You can, however, we recommend a slope no greater than a 30° angle. Any greater than that, the seeds can wash down the slope when it rains.

Deciding on the species is very much dependent on the site location, personal preference, and the purpose of the meadow. Some clients like highly colourful displays and that means a high density of annual and biennial wildflowers that complete their life cycle in one or two years, respectively. Annual and biennial wildflowers prefer well-drained soil and full sun. They do not tolerate shade well and it’s important to note that annual and biennial wildflowers do not come back year after year, so you will need to reseed them annually. Perennial wildflowers are plants that come back year after year. They require less maintenance than annuals and biennials. Perennial wildflowers prefer well-drained soil and full to partial sun. They require less water than annuals and biennials, but still need consistent watering to establish themselves. Some perennial wildflowers may take up to 2 years to establish before flowering. We have a range of mixes available and can also provide bespoke mixes based on your exact requirements.

There is currently no legislation for wildflower seed quality however it is an important consideration when purchasing. A high purity rate (we target 98%) can confirm the seed is not contaminated with large amounts of plant materials or other unexpected species. Low seed purity can negatively impact the establishment of the meadow, requiring you to increase the sow rate, or re-sow completely adding further time and cost. Germination is also a factor. We follow the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) germination protocols for establishing seed health. Results for purity testing and germination by species are available on request.

Depending on the species/ mix the sow rate is usually between 1.5 g/m² to 5 g/m². We will be able to advise you on specific requirements.

The best time to sow wildflower seeds is in the Spring or Autumn. An Autumn sowing will allow the seeds to overwinter and germinate strongly in the Spring, encouraging slightly earlier and more diverse flowering in the first growing season. It can be difficult to always plan this far in advance, so it’s important to say that a Spring sowing also works well, but some seed may remain dormant until after it goes through its first Winter.

Ideally, seed should be stored is a cool, dark place. In the right conditions, wildflower seed can maintain its health for several years, but this is usually in larger scale, temperature controlled, purpose-built storage. If required, we can offer climate-controlled seed storage for your seeds.

The good news is all wildflowers provide food and habitat for a wide range of pollinators, insects, and birds. By planting a variety of wildflowers, you can create a diverse ecosystem that will attract a range of wildlife. You can also adapt the species to target specific wildlife such as moths or honeybees and we can advise you on the right species to sow.

During the first year and depending on the time of year when the seed was sown, there will be different maintenance patterns all of which will form the basis of establishing a successful meadow over the long term. During the first growing season, the meadow needs to be cut every 4 or 5 weeks at a height of approx. 10cm to help control the growth of grasses and unwanted weeds. We recommend a cut and collect regime. From the second year the maintenance reduces significantly with spot weeding and a cut and remove after the flowering period. We can provide more advice to help you maintain a successful wildflower meadow.

We take pride in our dedication to developing eco-friendly solutions that not only meet but exceed ESG standards and BNG legislation. We can develop bespoke seed mixes using native wildflowers specific to the area. This ensures a matched environment appropriate to the location, promoting local biodiversity. As each project is different, we can offer individual advice or access to our Consultation service.