Hello – based in central belt of Scotland. Well into Autumn here and hoping to prep for a wildflower patch in the spring. Looking for comments/suggestions on my proposed approach
The site will be subject to temps down to -10degrees C over winter, and rainfall on this area is high. The water table is high as well, as in a low lying area next to a stream.
Having read a fair bit on this Reddit, my basic plan is:
- Cut back the grass/moss/mushrooms
- Cover with cardboard and leaves
- Let that do it's thing over autumn /winter
- Mix some compost into the mulch in early spring
- Sow in March and cover with a tarp to stop the local bird gang eating the seeds (I have a bird feeder to distract them too)
- Remove tarp and let the plants go.
What do we think?
by ScottishLeaf
4 Comments
Which direction does your house face? The type of Sun and warming the area gets will determine the plants you can plant.
Have you done a soil drainage test or dug a hole to look at the structure of the soil. A drainage issue can happen in gardens filled with builders’ rubble. Deep-rooted perennials will help water to sink into the soil rather than sitting on top of it like grass does.
If you can find a supplier that makes a localised meadow blend for your conditions, it will work far better than a random box claiming to be wildflowers
The moss with mushrooms actually looks really nice in autumn. And it should be quite good for the ecosystem as well
I’d skip the tarp. Many seeds need light to germinate, so you’ll be interfering with that process if you cover them. I broadcast seeds every Fall in various conditions: garden beds, yard, meadow, woods. There is always some loss due to predation but there’s plenty that remain, survive and grow. Do you expect any snow in the Winter? I like to sow just before a snow storm since the snow will deter the birds and hold the seeds in place.
Also check what you’re planting. Many seeds for perennial plants need cold, moist stratification, which means they need a Winter season before they will germinate. Always best to sow perennials in the fall or winter.
And I have to put a plug in for native plants. Do some research on plants that are native to your area and plant those. Not plants from another continent. You will be supporting your ecosystem in so many ways! Think native.
I love ferns and I feel that in Scotland I have seen ferns thrive, so I bet if you put some in the wetter areas you’ll give the garden a wilder vibe if that appeals. But also please check and see if there’s any native groups around you because Scotland also has some very beautiful and unique natives that need more love and appreciation.