Environment
Community
The Eden Project: Growing Wildflowers
Wildflower habitats bring colour to our countryside, gardens and shared nature spaces, and support many other species whilst creating corridors for pollinators and wildlife. But since the 1930s, 97% of the wildflower meadows and other flower-rich landscapes in England and Wales have been lost. The Eden Project National Wildflower Centre is helping to bring them back. Here, our friends and collaborators share a guide to help us join the rewilding effort – at home, at school, or in our community.
Why Sow Wildflowers?
In England, the area taken up by gardens is more than four and a half times larger than that of our National Nature Reserves. Growing wildflowers contributes to increased biodiversity, attracting pollinators and shining a light on local nature conservation, and rewilding initiatives can positively impact, influence and inspire communities – as well as creating more biodiverse gardens, which increase the opportunity for nature to thrive.
How To Sow Your Wildflower Seeds
1. As a general rule, you should sow in spring (April) for your wildflowers to flower the same year or in autumn (September or October) to flower the following year – although this will vary with location and soil type.
2. Choose a site in full sun if possible, and which doesn’t have anything important (e.g. rare or wildlife-rich) growing there already.
3. Prepare weed-free, bare ground by gently forking and raking until the soil is fine and crumbly, then sow the seeds on the surface. To make it easier and for an even spread, mix with a carrier such as sawdust, bran or sand.
4. Gently rake over the seed, then press them down with the back of the rake.
5. Water lightly. If the weather stays dry, water occasionally until little shoots appear.
Or you can sow in containers…
1. Use a large pot or planter (about 1 square metre) or several smaller pots. They need to be at least 30cm deep.
2. Fill the pot with a peat-free gritty potting compost and gently press the compost down. It should have the firmness of Victoria sponge.
3. Sow your seeds on the surface then gently rake them over with your fingers so they are lightly covered.
4. Gently press down and water. If the weather stays dry, water occasionally until little shoots appear.