Sowing wildflower seeds from my garden.

[dean young]

Hi all,i want to know whether you can sow wildflower seeds as soon as they are ready to pick from the plant?? I've planted some wildflowers in the garden and want to harvest the seeds and sow them straight away.The plants i'm talking about are common mallow,red and white campion,viper's bugloss,wild marjoram and bird's foot trefoil.I guess if i go on certain web sites i will get the info i'm after but would rather listen to any idea's from you guy's.Someone said to me to let nature do the work and let them self seed but its not always a guarantee that will work and i want to pass on the seedlings to other members of the family who i've convinced into growing wildflowers.Any advice would be very welcome.

Deano.




ONE SHOT AT LIFE,DON'T MISS!!!

[Dorts]

Dean
It is by far the best time to sow them; as soon as they are ripe.
Because of the mortality rate, it is not always a good idea to sow them all direct onto the ground. Consider sowing some in 'plugs' and bringing them on until next spring or even longer. It will give them a head start.

If sowing straight onto the soil, don't 'bury them', just lightly rake them in.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on.
Dorts.

[dean young]

Thanks for the advice Dorts,you're obviously and experienced campaigner at this sort of thing and me just being a beginner!! I'll try the 'plug' method and see what happen's.Would standard seed compost be ok to start them off??

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by dean young

Thanks for the advice Dorts,you're obviously and experienced campaigner at this sort of thing and me just being a beginner!! I'll try the 'plug' method and see what happen's.Would standard seed compost be ok to start them off??

Dean, normal garden compost would be fine. Sow about two or three seeds per plug, no more. If sowing Cowslips or Primroses try and sow before the seeds go brown, don't cover seeds with compost and keep out of sunlight until germinated. All others kinds, cover seeds very lightly with compost, only a 'sprinkle' and leave outside in a sheltered spot, not a warm greenhouse. Watch out for slugs!
Dorts.

[Hedera]

Don't give them too rich a compost to start with - most will do better with ordinary soil, preferably from near where the parent plant was. I firmly believe in this old country planting practice. To encourage lush growth is not always good. Hope you get a nice crop!

[dean young]

Thanks guys for you're comments.I will keep you posted as per results!!