## How to Plant a Wildflower Garden
### Introduction
Wildflower gardens are beautiful, easy to care for, and beneficial to the environment. They attract pollinators, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and can even help to reduce erosion. Best of all, they can be planted in any size space, from a small backyard to a large meadow.
### Choosing a Location
The first step in planting a wildflower garden is to choose a location. Wildflowers prefer full sun, but they can also tolerate partial shade. The soil should be well-drained and not too fertile. If your soil is too fertile, the wildflowers may grow too tall and leggy.
### Preparing the Soil
Once you have chosen a location, you need to prepare the soil. This involves removing any weeds or debris, and then tilling the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. If your soil is compacted, you may need to double-dig it. This involves digging a trench about 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Then, use a fork or spade to loosen the soil at the bottom of the trench. Fill the trench with compost or manure, and then dig another trench next to it. Repeat this process until you have loosened the soil to the desired depth.
### Planting the Seeds
Wildflower seeds are very small, so they should be sown on the surface of the soil. Do not cover them with dirt, as they need light to germinate. You can sow the seeds by hand, or you can use a seed spreader. If you are using a seed spreader, be sure to calibrate it so that you are not planting too many seeds.
### Watering
After you have planted the seeds, water them gently. Do not overwater, as this can wash away the seeds. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, until the seeds have germinated.
### Fertilizing
Wildflowers do not need to be fertilized, but they will benefit from a light application of fertilizer in the spring. Use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen, as too much nitrogen can make the wildflowers grow too tall and leggy.
### Mulching
Mulching around your wildflowers will help to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing. Use a mulch that is made from natural materials, such as wood chips, bark, or compost.
### Maintenance
Wildflower gardens require very little maintenance. Once the wildflowers are established, they will only need to be watered during periods of drought. You may also need to weed the garden occasionally, but this should only take a few minutes each week.
### Benefits of Wildflower Gardens
Wildflower gardens are beautiful, easy to care for, and beneficial to the environment. They attract pollinators, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and can even help to reduce erosion. Best of all, they can be planted in any size space, from a small backyard to a large meadow.
### Tips for Planting a Wildflower Garden
– Choose a location that receives full sun or partial shade.
– Prepare the soil by removing weeds and debris, and then tilling it to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
– Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil, and do not cover them with dirt.
– Water the seeds gently, and keep the soil moist until they have germinated.
– Fertilize the wildflowers lightly in the spring with a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen.
– Mulch around the wildflowers with a mulch that is made from natural materials.
– Water the wildflowers during periods of drought, and weed the garden occasionally.
### Additional Resources
– [How to Plant a Wildlife Garden](https://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife/Gardening-Tips/Plant-a-Wildlife-Garden)
– [Wildflower Gardening](https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden/flowers/perennials/wildflower-gardening)
– [The Xerces Society: Creating a Pollinator Garden](https://xerces.org/guidelines/creating-pollinator-gardens-and-landscapes)