Bluebonnets by Pat Newell
April and May in TX brings an explosion of color that is unique to the Lone Star state. Our Blue Bonnets blanket hillsides, while fields reflect the brilliant spring sky. It is a display that inspires pride in our state flower and many a photo of loved ones in the midst of that blue and white tipped carpet.
In an effort to share in the fun, it is common to go out immediately and buy and plant seed. Unfortunately nothing will come of that cost and work, since in Texas Blue Bonnet seed needs to be planted in the early fall, NOW, so that the plants will have time to get big enough to establish a healthy root system and survive the winter.
Once it’s the proper time of year, the biggest mistake is just tossing the seed into an area that would look lovely in Spring blue. It’s just a wild flower, right? A simple but specific step by step process is needed to bring results.
Remember, burying the seed too deeply or casually broadcasting the seed over an unprepared area will only produce disappointing results. It will not do any good to put the seeds in a place where nothing grows, since the seeds won’t grow any better there than anything else would. So if necessary use an herbicide to clear the desired area. Remove any dead vegetation for the compost pile, since it is absolutely necessary for the seed to come into contact with the ground.
To properly prepare the seed bed, rake or VERY lightly till the surface of the soil to a maximum depth of one inch. Shallow soil preparation will limit the distribution of dormant weed seed.
It is helpful to thoroughly mix a carrier such as masonry sand, perlite, or potting soil. to aid in even distribution over the site. Broadcast
half the seed as uniformly as possible over the prepared area. Then sow the remaining seed in a direction perpendicular to the initial sowing. This gives an even sowing over the entire area. Press the seed into the soil by walking or rolling over the newly planted area.
Do not cover the seed any deeper that 1/16 of an inch. Some of the seeds will remain visible. Once again, planting too deeply will prevent the seed from germinating. It will also allow weed seeds that may not have been deep enough to grow previously get into the soil.
Do not plant wildflowers in clover or grasses that grow during winter (example:annual rye grass or fescues)as this vegetation will be too aggressive to allow the wildflowers to become established.
Following these few basic steps will allow most wildflowers to flourish in spring, not just Blue Bonnets. But that special harbinger of spring many years of delight.