Where are you located? If in the Midwest I recommend Prairie Nursery out of Wisconsin. They have seed mixes and planned gardens. For Colorado and neighboring states, try High Country Gardens. You might also visit the Dave's Garden website and ask your question there.
You can buy wild flower seeds and any place that sells seeds. You would just spread them around the area you want and just fill in the bare patches as you see them grow. Blues and purples are nice meadow colours. But generally when you buy seeds they are mixed. Ages ago you could get seeds from your electricity supplier. Not sure if they offer that service your way. Good luck!
Be careful of what you plant. Check what is invasive where you are and avoid mixes that include invasive plants--yes, they grow quickly, but they also compete out native plants. Check around for a native plant society in your area and follow their recommendation. If you don't find any, check with the biology department at your nearest university.
Its a grassed paddock at the moment on a steep slope. would I need to turn all the soil over before I sowed the seed do you think, or maybe just spray the weeds and then sow. Im making this up as I go along!!
You probably don't need to turn over the soil--probably shouldn't on a steep slope. Talk with your local experts about the best way to convert your paddock. Maybe there are enough native wildflowers growing in there that you could manage by not mowing. Here in the US Midwest we often solarize the soil by covering it with clear plastic sealed all around--this takes a full summer. I have also killed grass by covering it with a tarp for a whole year. For paths I have just laid newspaper, wetted it, and then covered it with mulch. So, it really depends on how big the area is that you are considering. Do find an expert on your area.
Part of our 2 acres is a meadow garden. I just encourage the native plants I like and pull the ones I don't. I also created my favorite sitting area out there by putting down weed cloth and topping with pea gravel. Then we added a fire ring and a couple of rustic chairs. Great place to enjoy coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in front of the fire in the evening.
yvonnecmartin
Lynn CawoodOriginal Author
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