What is wildflower seeding?

While there’s no doubt that manicured lawns offer a neat, uniform look to any outside space, there appears to have been a switch to more natural landscaping in recent years, with more and more people seeming to favour wildflower meadows.

Wildflowers can enhance biodiversity and bring a much-needed sprinkle of colour to any landscape. But what is wildflower seeding? And what are the benefits? The team at Oliver Brown is here to help explain.

What is wildflower seeding?

Wildflower seeding is the process of sowing wildflower seeds in a designated area to encourage the growth of a wildflower meadow. Since the 1930s, it’s estimated that the UK has lost over 97% of its wildflower meadows, largely due to land development and changes to farming methods. Wildflower seeding offers a way to combat this and introduce a variety of new plants to an area.

Benefits of wildflower seeding

Increases biodiversity: A wildflower meadow supports a variety of different plant species which, in turn, improves biodiversity by attracting insects, birds and small mammals – soon the area will be teeming with wildlife!

Low maintenance: Once established, a wildflower meadow needs very little in the way of maintenance to keep it looking great; in fact, it thrives when left alone to grow. By contrast, a traditional lawn or garden will often require regular watering, weeding, mowing and sometimes fertilisation to ensure it looks healthy, which can be time-consuming.

Aesthetic appeal: There’s no doubt about it; wildflower meadows are eye-catching, colourful and beautiful. Plus, they will change throughout the year as different plants grow, meaning there’s always something different to admire.

Erosion control: Wildflower seeding can improve soil health and stabilise the soil structure, because their root systems help to anchor soil in place, thus assisting with erosion control.

Supports pollinators: Wildflower meadows provide the food and shelter that bees need to thrive, but why is this important? You’ve probably seen some serious-sounding headlines about the decline of bees in the UK; 13 species of bees have become extinct with 35 more at risk. This poses a significant problem, as without bees, many of the crops we rely on for food would go unpollinated, potentially leading to food shortages. 

When to carry out wildflower seeding

The best time to carry out wildflower seeding depends on the type of soil you have. With heavy soil, wildflower seeding is best carried out in the spring, ideally in March or April, as this will hopefully prevent the seeds from sitting in waterlogged ground. For lighter soils, it’s best to sow wildflower seeds during the autumn as these will germinate more quickly.

How to sow wildflower seeds

One of the easiest and most convenient ways to sow wildflowers is through hydromulching, which is a service we offer here at Oliver Brown Ltd. So how does this work?

• Firstly, your site will be thoroughly examined and the soil conditions analysed; this will help to determine which plant seeds and species are best suited to this particular environment.
• There are then two options for creating a wildflower meadow: perennial and annual. Perennial meadows are best suited to poorer soils as grasses are less likely to compete with the wildflowers, whereas annual meadows are ideal for areas with rich soil.
• The soil must be prepared by digging and then raking it to create a seedbed; it’s also advisable to remove any weeds.
• Once the soil has settled, wildflower seeds can be sown. To ensure an even distribution of seeds throughout the area, hydromulching is recommended.
• Wildflower seeds, mulch and water will be agitated and combined to create a slurry; this mixture is then sprayed over the prepared ground. The mulch will then protect the wildflower seeds from the elements and promote faster germination.

If you’re interested in creating a wildflower meadow on your land, why not get in touch with the team here at Oliver Brown Ltd? We’re one of the UK’s leading hydroseeding experts, offering a range of services, including wildflower seeding, to customers across the country – contact us to find out more.