When to sow wildflower seeds

Although they are known for being low maintenance and easy to manage, wildflowers do require some attention, but before you begin to sow them you need to start with when is the best time to sow wildflowers.
Spring and autumn are typically the best times of the year to sow your wildflower seeds, depending on when you want to see them bloom, of course. So keep reading to discover when to sow wildflowers seeds.
Sowing wildflower seeds in Spring
Once the spring sunshine peaks its head through the clouds, it can be hard to resist heading out into your gardens to kickstart the sowing season! Sowing your wildflowers seeds in spring will mean that you miss out on an April bloom. But it also comes with its advantages!
During spring, the temperatures are improving, and rain showers will most definitely grace your gardens quite frequently. These combined will create ideal germination conditions for your seeds to grow in. You can expect to see your blooms between 60-90 days after sowing them, so once summer comes around, your garden will be filled with colour and wildlife activity!
Sowing wildflower seeds in Autumn
Autumn can often be overlooked as a good time to sow seeds, but in fact, it’s probably one of the most beneficial times to sow your wildflower seeds.
To have successful germination, wildflowers seeds need light, warmth and rain. All of which are typical of an early autumn day. The combination of these means that there is extra moisture in the air to be absorbed by the seed, this also means less watering as nature takes its course.
If you choose to sow in autumn, you will normally see your wildflowers beginning in the early springtime, guaranteeing a full and colourful bloom for those summer evenings in the sun. It's also worth mentioning that the number of pests and birds will also decrease quite rapidly during autumn, so your seeds will have less damage and stress to contend with.
How to sow your wildflower seeds
Like most things, preparation is key! And that is no different for wildflowers. While they are easy to manage once they have been sown, it’s the preparation stages that require some attention to detail.
Creating the perfect seedbed free from debris, weeds, or flora is a key part of your wildflower’s success. Our guide on how to sow your wildflower meadow goes through each step, and if followed correctly, you will no doubt see a beautiful display of wildflower blooms soon after sowing!
Choosing a wildflower seed mix to sow
Before you choose a wildflower mix, you need to know which wildflower mix to sow. It's best to understand what each of our individual wildflower seed mixes is for; this way, you can find the best seed for your needs, soil types and chosen locations.
We have a range of ten different wildflower seed mixes, each carefully created and tailored to specific soil types and locations. So if you suffer from clay soils, or shaded spots or if you're trying to attract more bees and butterflies – one of our wildflower seed mixes will match your needs!
Now that your wildflowers have been sown, all that's left to do is manage your wildflower garden. For more tips and tricks on sowing, growing, and maintaining your wildflower garden, head over to our wildflower help and advice page.