Bees and flowering plants evolved together millions of years ago. Although bees face many challenges in this age of global climate change, the simple act of sowing the seeds of plants that bees and other pollinators love to forage on is a critically important step in helping to ensure they–and the whole planet–have a future. The Bee Garden Blend wildflower seeds are specially blended by our Certified Bee Master for use in managed landscapes such as disused laneways; verges; or along the edges of cultivated areas in residential or agricultural properties.
How To Grow, Timing: Try to direct sow wildflower seeds during the period two weeks before, and eight weeks after, your last average frost date. Sowing when there is some risk of minor frost may improve germination. Wildflower seeds can also be sown in the autumn, but a certain percentage of seeds to may be lost to water, birds, and animals. To make the most of the annual species, direct sow in early spring.
How To Grow, Starting:
Site Selection: If there are already no plants (including weeds) growing in the planting site, there may be a problem with the soil. Possible issues may be soil fertility, lack of drainage, or the need for soil amendments to improve texture. In such spots (eg, beneath a cedar tree), few plants will thrive, including wildflowers.
Site Preparation: Remove as much existing vegetation as possible through pulling or tilling under in order to minimize competition. Loosen the soil by scraping, raking, or tilling. Wildflower blends will not usually take if planted into existing lawn because the thatch prevents their contact with soil.
Seed Application: In small areas, seeds can be scattered by hand. In larger areas, you may want to employ a lawn spreader or some other mechanical means. We recommend adding 1-2 parts clean, dry sand to 1 part wildflower seeds which will help the seeds spread evenly. Do not use beach sand, as it usually contains salt. It may be wise to spread most of the seed, but to save some for filling in bald spots at a later date. Seeds must come into contact with the soil in order to germinate. Do not bury seeds more than 2-3 times their thickness.
Planting rates: Aim for a planting density of 70 seeds per square foot. 90g of seeds will cover 1,000 ft². Use 4kg per acre. 500g covers about 5,500 ft². If seeding an area where site preparation and weeding are not possible, double this rate.
How To Grow, Growing: Keep the seeded area as evenly moist as possible to help the seeds germinate and the young seedlings become established. Weeds need to be kept under control. Once they are growing, most mixes will not require additional water except in long periods of hot, dry weather. All of our mixes should re-grow for several years, but will eventually benefit from re-seeding. In late summer, many of the components will produce seed heads that can be harvested and replanted the following spring.
5 Grams of seeds.
Blend Ingredients:
| Chinese Forget-Me-Not | Cynoglossum amabile |
| Siberian Wallflower | Cheiranthus allionii |
| California Poppy | Eschscholzia californica |
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea |
| China Aster | Callistephus chinensis |
| Corn Poppy | Papaver rhoeas |
| Lance-Leaf Coreopsis | Coreopsis lanceolata |
| Blue Flax | Linum perenne |
| Baby Blue-Eyes | Nemophila menziesii |
| Globe Gilia | Gilia capitata |
| Indian Blanket | Gaillardia pulchella |
| Tidy Tips | Layia platyglossa |
| Plains Coreopsis | Coreopsis tinctoria |
| Sweet Alyssum | Lobularia maritima |
| Lavender Hyssop | Agastache foeniculum |
| Fleabane Daisy | Erigeron speciosus |
| New England Aster | Symphyotrichum novae-angleae |
| Bergamot | Monarda fistulosa |
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