The Optimal Time to Sow Most Wildflower Seeds

Did You Know

The optimal time to sow most wildflower seeds in a garden or meadow setting is after a few frosts but before the first snowfall. Planting wildflower seeds in the fall mimics the natural life cycle. Most wildflower seeds do not need to be covered, they should be sown directly on top of the soil. Covering seeds that need light to germinate will likely fail to germinate.

Most wildflower seeds require a cold-moist stratification period of 10-120 days to break their dormancy and germinate. Additionally, some seeds with hard seed coats, such as Baptisia or Wild Senna, need an extra step called scarification. This can be done by sanding the seed coats with sandpaper or making a small nick in the seeds with a knife. These processes help the seeds absorb water, which is essential for initiating germination. Some native wildflower seeds require two seasons of cold-moist stratification with a warm season in between.

If your seed packet does not include germination instructions, I recommend doing a Google search for the information to help you avoid common mistakes at the beginning of your journey. Good luck germinating and growing beautiful wildflowers!

Photo is of Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea purpurea) seed.

Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea purpurea)