PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WILD GARDEN

Where to Plant: Flowers in a wild garden grow best in full sun, so choose an area that has as much sun as possible.

Planting:
1. Grade the soil surface so it has a gentle slope, filling all low areas so water will not stand on the surface after a rain.
2. Till the existing topsoil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches until all large clumps are broken up and all weeds and grass are gone or spread 4 inches of new topsoil on the area to be planted. Remove all rock and debris. By allowing the newly prepared soil to stand a couple of weeks before planting, many of the weed seeds in the soil will sprout, then re-till and grade just before planting.
3. Evenly spread 10 to 15 pounds of a complete plant food like 16-16-16 or 10-20-10 per 1000 square feet over the area. Have the soil tested, sampling the top six inches to determine the ph. Add lime as recommended by the soil test. After the lime and plant food have been spread, rake the soil surface smooth.
4. For small areas and when a dense plant cover is desired evenly scatter the seed over the area to be planted at a rate of 1 ounce of wildflower seed per 150 square feet. For large areas where a less dense plant population is acceptable plant at a rate of 8 to 10 pounds per acre. After the seed has been broadcast lightly drag a leaf rake upside down over the newly seeded surface being careful not to bury the seed to deep, do not cover the seed with more than 1/16 to 1/8 inch of soil. It is not necessary to cover all the seed as some varieties in a wild flower mix require light to germinate. In Alaska the best time to plant wild flowers is between May 1st and June 15th and September 20th and October 10th. For a fall seeding, broadcast the seed just before freeze up.
5. After planting to insure good seed-soil contact the area must to be watered well or even better roll with a weighted roller before watering.
Pre-emergence Maintenance:
1. Watering should be done with a fine mist to prevent the seed from being washed away. Keep the seed bed uniformly moist at all times until all the seed has germinated. Perennials germinate slower than annuals and the newly seeded area must be kept moist for at least 30 days to get maximum germination of the perennial seed. If the area is not kept moist after the first seedlings emerge it is will likely that only a few long term plants will germinate and the planting could be sparse the second season.
Long Term Maintenance:
1. Weed as necessary by walking through the wild garden pulling the tall weeds that create competition. Weed seeds are always present in the soil and may invade from the surrounding areas. A healthy, dense, well maintained wild garden will inhibit the growth of weed seedlings.
2. For prolonged beauty and enhanced seed production water the wild garden as needed throughout the growing season.
3. In the spring mow the wild garden before new growth begins. Set the mower 3 to 4 inches high so the mower does not scalp the crowns of the over-wintered plants. A spring mowing will chop up the debris left from the previous season which greatly improves it’s appearance. Do not rake after mowing as some of the seed produced the previous year may be removed with the debris. Do not mow during the growing season as it will prevent the annual varieties from producing seed and a fall mowing may weaken the perennial plants, making them more susceptible to winter injury.
4. To maximize the effect of the annuals in a wild garden it may be necessary to over-seed the wild garden after spring maintenance the second and possibly the third year. When over-seeding, maximum germination will occur when the area is watered regularly.
5. Apply plant food early each spring after the wild garden has been mowed. Broadcast 2 to 4 pounds of 16-16-16 or 10-20-10 plant food per 1000 square feet then water well to accelerate spring green-up and new growth. A second application of 1 to 2 pounds per 1000 square feet will enhance the garden and should be applied between June 15th and July 15th. During the growing season apply plant food in the afternoon or early evening when the foliage is dry. Water thoroughly after each application to wash off any plant food that may have gotten on the leaves.
Expected Results:
The first summer the annuals will bloom in a splendid show of color. Some of them will re-seed and others may disappear depending on the season. The second summer the perennials and annuals that re-seeded, bloom in a wide range of colors giving the wild garden a bold, mature look. With maintenance a wild garden will thrive and bloom year after year.

Denali Seed Company - PO Box 111425 - Anchorage, AK 99511
Email: seeds@denaliseed.com

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