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In most cases a gram and a half of wildflower seed
is used to sow 1 metre. That is a level teaspoon full = (00.0015 kilo) or 1.5
grams
Wildflower seeds are varying weights and sizes, always stir the seed before and during
sowing to insure that the seeds of all sizes are spread over every metre.
To achieve the best results before you sow wildflower seed, rake very lightly
or roll the soil and sow, then follow with a light rolling or rake to
barely cover the seeds.
To sow seeds, use the Broadcast
method stand with your back to the wind if at all possible, start
at one end, one metre out from the edge and be careful to only sow one metre
wide.
As you walk leave a footprint mark in the soil (it's useful to have marker
sticks which can be moved as you progress) so you can see where you have
walked, when you get to the end, turn around, measure out one metre wide again
and sow back to where your footprints were. This way you will sow in
lines (but the seeds will not grow in line). If the wind is blowing against
you, keep 'stooped' over and release the seed close to the ground, so it doesn't
blow away. If very windy sow half metre strips.
Wildflower seed germinates due to
sunlight, the deeper you bury it the less chance of successful germination.
As long as the soil remains moist wildflower seed does not have to be buried,
just raked into the soil, barely covered & rolled to insure that the seed contacts the soil.
Bury seed to 3mm on dry soils, so it will not dry out.
Press the seed into the surface on stick wet soil.
While a garden roller will do, you can roll using a Cambridge 'ridged' roller or a branch tied to a toe-bar on a ride-on mower.
If you have a clay soil and for some unforeseen reason cannot create a fine seedbed, cover the seed with 2mm of sand or sifted soil or hydraseed the site (seek advice).
In areas where wild birds might eat the seeds after sowing, rake the
seed to cover it with no more than 3mm of fine soil that you created making the seed bed.
Use a scarecrow to stop birds eating the seeds.
'Ideal Time' and season to sow wildflower seeds |
