General Sowing Instructions
Ideally, direct garden sowing should take place in the late fall after the first frost, mid September to end of October. This allows seeds to overwinter outdoors, which imitates their natural dormancy period and improves germination. Early spring sowing can be done directly outdoors from April to July, if seeds are overwintered/ stratified for 6-8 weeks beforehand. Note, if seeds cannot be stratified, many will not germinate until the following spring and germination rates may be slightly lower.
Site Prep
Remove existing vegetation then lightly work the soil to ensure compaction does not impede germination. Rake a fine seedbed then broadcast the seed evenly across the area. In order to ensure good soil/ seed contact, use a seed roller or walk over seeds for smaller sites. Do not bury the seeds- they should ideally have good contact with the soil but still be exposed to sunlight. For spring planting, keep evenly watered through the first two weeks of germination, or until seedlings are strong and well established. For fall planting, watering is not generally required.
Patience is required when establishing a mix of native grasses and perennials as many flowers will not bloom until the second year of growth. After the first year of growth, a fall mowing to 15cm height is beneficial to help spread seeds and control weed growth the following spring.
Land Care Niagara are a proud retailer of Northern Wildflower native seeds. Northern Wildflowers, are dedicated to supporting Canadian gardeners in creating beautiful, sustainable gardens. This carefully curated collection of wildflowers that not only enhance the beauty of gardens but also support essential pollinators. These wildflowers are selected to thrive in Northern gardens, contributing to local biodiversity.
