Around six months from now, the Hill Country of Texas will be bathed in bluebonnets. Why do I bring this up when we are just now getting our first real taste of fall weather?
Now Is The Time for Planting Native Wildflowers
Even though areas near Fredericksburg, Johnson City, and Dripping Springs lay claim to huge picturesque fields of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes, these native Texas wildflowers will grow throughout the Lone Star State.
If you would like to have a spread of bluebonnets in your yard come March and April, then now is the time for planting.
According to biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, many native wildflowers, including bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes, require colder soil temperatures combined with appropriate watering or rainfall for seeds to germinate in the fall and be ready to bloom in the spring.
An Added Advantage of Bluebonnets
Bluebonnets are a beautiful addition to anyone’s yard or pasture, but wildflowers provide an excellent habitat for pollinators, many of which have seen declines in their populations.
“Native plants are adapted to our soils and growing conditions just as our native pollinators are adapted to those same plants,” said Craig Hensley, Texas nature tracker biologist. “Native plants form the foundation of healthy food webs and sustain pollinators who in turn provide food for other wildlife from birds to amphibians, reptiles and mammals.”
Best Practices for Planting Bluebonnets and Other Native Wildflowers
- Pick a spot that doesn’t have pre-existing turf, such as St. Augustine or Bermuda.
- Scatter seeds by hand. Smaller seeds are easier to handle if mixed with sand (one part seed to four parts sand is best).
- Rake or ‘tamp’ in seeds, but make sure they are only about 1/8 inch deep. Seeds require exposure to the sun to germinate.
- Keep moist for several days unless rainfall is expected. Water every 2-3 weeks during extended periods of no rainfall during the fall and winter.
Enjoy Their Beauty And Don’t Mow Prematurely
You may have noticed that TxDOT crews wait until the summer to mow down the dried-up weeds and wildflowers from highway medians and right-of-ways. No…it’s not a money-saving tactic, wildflowers should be given the time to bloom, wither, and dry so that they can drop their seeds which creates a seed bank that will provide more plants for years…