Every spring, visitors stand at the edge of our fields here in Fredericksburg and ask the same question: when did you plant all of this? The answer surprises most folks. The color you see in April was sown the autumn before, while the days were getting shorter and the first cool fronts were rolling across the Hill Country.
In the South, fall is wildflower planting season. It is how nature has always done it, and after more than forty years of growing wildflowers, we have learned not to argue with her.
Following nature's calendar
Think about how a wildflower lives on its own. It blooms in spring, sets seed in early summer, and drops that seed onto warm ground. The seed waits through the heat. When autumn rains arrive and the soil cools, it wakes up.
Many of our best-loved Southern wildflowers, bluebonnets among them, are winter annuals. They sprout in the fall, spend the winter as small, low rosettes of leaves, and quietly build roots through the cool months. By the time spring warms up, they are established and ready to bloom.
Why fall planting matters here
- Roots come first. Our winters are mild enough that seedlings keep growing below ground for months. Deep roots mean sturdier plants and more blooms.
- The rain does the work. Fall and winter moisture carries young plants along with far less watering from you.
- They beat the heat. Southern springs are short and summer comes on fast. Seed sown in spring often has to sprout, grow, and bloom in a matter of weeks before the heat shuts things down. Fall-sown plants are already grown when the warm days arrive.
- Some seed needs the cold. A number of perennials need a stretch of cool, damp weather before they will sprout. Winter provides it for free.
- A longer, fuller show. Plants with a head start bloom earlier and keep going longer.
When to sow
Across most of the South, the planting window runs from September through the end of November. Earlier in that window is better for bluebonnets, which like plenty of time to settle in before the coldest weather. If you are reading this in November, there is still time. Just don't put it off much longer.
How to plant
- Pick a sunny spot. Most wildflowers want at least six to eight hours of direct sun and soil that drains well.
- Clear the way. Mow existing grass and weeds as short as you can and rake away the clippings. Then scratch the surface lightly with a rake so you can see bare soil. There is no need to till deeply, which only stirs up weed seed.
- Scatter evenly. Mixing your seed with dry sand helps you spread it evenly and see where you have been.
- Press it in. This is the step that matters most. Walk over the area or use a roller so the seed is pressed firmly against the soil. Don't bury it. Most wildflower seed should be covered no deeper than about a sixteenth of an inch, and some of it showing on the surface is just fine.
- Water if the weather is dry. Keep the area lightly moist for the first few weeks if rain doesn't come. After that, nature usually takes over.
- Skip the fertilizer. Wildflowers bloom best in lean soil. Fertilizer mostly feeds the weeds and grasses around them.
What to expect
Within a few weeks you should see small seedlings. They will stay low to the ground all winter, and that is exactly what they should be doing. Resist the urge to fuss over them. Come spring, they will stretch up and bloom.
After the flowers fade, wait to mow until the seed heads have dried and dropped their seed. That patience is what brings your wildflowers back the following year.
Choosing your seed
Wildflowers do best when they are matched to where they are planted. Our regional wildflower mixes are blended for specific parts of the country, including our Texas/Oklahoma Wildflower Mix and Southeastern Wildflower Mix, both of which do best when planted in the fall. Seed orders of $75 or more ship free.
Explore Regional Wildflower Mixes
If you find yourself in the Hill Country this season, come see us at 100 Legacy Dr. in Fredericksburg. We are always glad to talk planting, and we would love to help you get next spring started.
