Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Home & Garden Creating a Meadow Garden

Tired of constantly having to mow your lawn? Are you bored with the sameness of a yard of green? Why not turn your yard into a colorful wildflower meadow.

Turning a lawn into a field of wildflowers is not as simple as casting about some seeds. However, with a little planning, and some work, you can easily create a meadow garden. Moreover, once established, meadow gardens are self-sustaining and extremely low maintenance.

Step One: Planning

• Decide where you want your new garden. Do you want to start small and just devote a small section to wildflowers, or are you planning to convert your entire lawn into a meadow?
  
  
• Start ordering wildflower seed catalogs. Most offer a variety of seed mixtures formulated for specific climates and bioregions.
  
  
• When you order your seeds make sure that they are varieties suited to your region. Don't ignore ornamental and prairie grasses. They not only accent a garden meadow, but they also add authenticity.
  
  
• Be sure to select a mix that contains a high percentage of perennials. You want your garden to be as self-sustaining as possible and many annuals do not readily reseed themselves. However, be sure to plant some annuals the first year, as many perennials will not bloom until the second year.

Step Two: Preparing for Planting

Choose the location for your meadow garden.

• A sunny, well-drained area is ideal, but with the right seed selection, any fertile area will do.

Now for the hard part - removing the grass and weeds from the selected area. There are three methods of lawn removal: mechanical, chemical, and smothering.

• Mechanical: This is the best method if the lawn is well established or if the roots are heavily matted. The grass can be removed by hand, with a shovel, or by means of a sodcutter. Sodcutter's cut through the ground, severing the roots. They can be rented from most equipment rental agencies.
  
  
• Chemical: The lawn may be killed via the selective use of herbicides.
  
  
• Smothering: The lawn may be smothered to death by covering it with heavy black plastic, thick layers of newspaper, or mulch.

Soil preparation

• Now that a major portion of the lawn has been removed, your next task will be to till the soil. This will help loosen the soil and kill any remaining roots.
  
  
• Water the newly tilled ground and wait a week or two to allow any surviving weed or grass seeds to germinate. Then re-till the area.
  
  
• Smooth out the area with a rake and you're ready to plant.

Step Three: Planting your Meadow Garden

When should you plant?

• For mild climates, zones 7-ll, late fall is the ideal planting time.
  
  
• For colder climates, zones 1-6, plant after the last spring frost.
  
  
• To find out what zone you live in contact your local county extension agent or refer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Zone Map.

Sowing your seeds

• If your purchased a seed mixture follow the instructions which accompanied your order. Otherwise, use a rake to scrape out furrows approximately 1/4 inch deep. For a wild look, mix all of your wildflower and grass seeds together and liberally scatter the seed over the prepared surface. Turn your rake upside down and use it to lightly cover the seeds. Pat the soil down lightly.
  
  
• Don't use fertilizer. It only encourages the growth of weeds.
  
  
• Water regularly during the first year.

Step Four: Maintenance

A few basic steps will keep your meadow garden flourishing.

• For the first year or two, be sure to remove any undesired weeds. Hand pulling is the best method to use. Don=t be overly diligent. Those dandelions that were the bane of your lawn will be right at home in a meadow garden.
  
  
• Mow the garden once a year. This should be done in the fall after the flowers have gone to seed. Mow the garden to a height of six inches or to the highest setting on your lawnmower.

That's it! Now sit back and enjoy your new meadow garden.