How to Plant a Wildflower Meadow

Wildflowers are a delightful way to inject colour into your garden while also supporting native insects and animals. Sowing your own meadow from seed is a budget-friendly method that delivers stunning results. Once established, your meadow will be low-maintenance, allowing you to relish in nature's beauty.

What type of wildflowers are best?
Opt for native wildlower species. These support the creation of a biodiverse ecosystem for UK insects and animals. Wildflowers are excellent for the UK's bees and pollinating insects, so we recommend mixes that contain bee-friendly flowers. Our Wildflower Mix and Pet-Friendly Wildflower Mix both offer a beautiful selection of native British species. These mixes consist of 100% flower seeds for a vibrant, colourful display.

When to plant wildflowers?
Wildflowers can be planted anytime from February to October outdoors, or all year round in a greenhouse. If the area selected for your meadow has light soil, autumn sowing yields good results. Your seeds will germinate quickly, with some flowers appearing early, although others won't emerge until the following spring. If your soil is heavy, it's better to wait until spring to avoid waterlogging and seed rot. Spring-sown seeds should start to germinate within a few weeks and continue to flower until autumn.

How to sow a wildflower meadow.
Preparation is key when establishing your meadow. Remember, wildflowers thrive in poorer soil conditions, so avoid fertilising your soil, which may encourage excessive grass growth and limit the growth of your wildflowers.

Here's your step-by-step guide for sowing:

1. Select the area for your wildflower meadow. Remove all existing plants, grass, and weeds. Till the soil over, and compact it well.
2. Leave your soil for 2-6 weeks, giving any weeds time to germinate so you can remove them. It's easier to tackle potential weed issues at this stage.
3. Sow your seeds by hand at 2g per square metre (for normal Wildflower Mix) or 1g per square metre (for Pet-Friendly Wildflower Mix). Scatter your mix evenly over the soil, mindful that some seeds are tiny and should ideally be about 5cm apart.
4. Lightly rake over the area to cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. They need light and warmth to grow.
5. Wait for 2 days, then water again. Avoid watering immediately after sowing, as smaller seeds can be washed away.
6. Protect your seeds from birds and continue to keep the soil moist, especially during warm weather. Your seeds should begin to germinate within a few weeks, depending on their growing conditions.

Ready to get planting?
Order your UK wildflower seed mix that's suitable for a range of soil types and perfect for pollinators. If you've got pets or farmland, our Pet-Friendly Mix is perfect. You can help save the bees and other pollinating insects while creating a beautiful garden.

If you've followed our tips for planting your meadow, share a picture with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We'd love to see them!