Frequently Asked Questions
What Is 'Stratification'?
Many species of seeds need some sort of stratification in order to germinate. Stratification is the term used for seeds needing exposure to certain weather/climactic conditions before they can break their hard-dormancy and germinate when conditions are right. For these seed mixes specifically, the majority of the seeds in the mix need winter stratification. They need to be exposed to cold and moist conditions for a certain number of days. Once they have obtained this weather exposure (aka, stratification), they will germinate when conditions are right in the spring.
If you plant these species at the wrong time of the year, you likely will get little to no germination until the following year, after they've received the necessary stratification period, IF they are not eaten or washed away by then.
So make sure to check the planting dates for your region and plant during the dormant season! I know it's crazy. Who thinks to plant flowers during the winter? Well, Mother Nature does and she's been pretty successful for thousands of years. We're just trying to mimic Mother Nature. And yes, you CAN plant in the snow (frost seeding) when there is between 1-8" of snow on the ground. Any more than that and you'll risk the seed washing away as the snow melts. And yes, you CAN plant when the ground is frozen. Broadcast the seed on top of the soil. Depending on the size area you're planting, you can very lightly water the seed for a few minutes to press the seed to the soil or you can step on it to accomplish the same thing. On larger planting sites, a cultipacker works well to ensure seed to soil contact.
Don't believe me? Look up seed stratification online or click here.
Planting Seeds....... KISS
We've been in your shoes, searching the internet and YouTube for information on native wildflowers, how to plant, when to plant, what to plant.... It can be messy to say the least. We're going to make this as simple as possible for you, KISS..... Keep It Stupid Simple
- Eliminate the existing vegetation.
- Ensure seed-to-soil contact.
- Water the soil. Do NOT flood/saturate.
- Be patient!
We will make sure you have the right native species for your planting site to create extensive blooms, color, and most importantly, pollinators!
When to plant?
- Orange zone: October - June
- Green zone: December - March
- Purple zone: January - March
Why Should I Care Where The Seeds Came From?
The key word in all this is 'native'. Native plants require less inputs, are drought resistant, long-lived, and provide benefits to native pollinators. The importance of local ecotype seeds is to provide you with plants that will thrive in your planting area. That's why we require your planting region (depending on the mix) when ordering, so we can make sure you get the seed mix matched your local ecotype. Your bees, birds, butterflies, and wildlife will thank you for it!
We do not recommend planting a mix that is not selected for your planting region. We have created a map which highlights 3 different zones for planting regions. Orange, Green, and Purple each represent a different set of regional soils, weather conditions/patterns, native plant communities, wildlife, etc. While these are broad strokes in terms of ecosystems and some exceptions do apply, generally speaking if you choose a seed mix selected for your planting zone it will be ecologically sound enough to thrive in that area.
The Birds & The Bees & All The Rest...
What Should I Expect?
Native plants have an extensive and deep root system, often diving deeper than 5 feet into the ground. Their root systems take time to develop fully before the above-ground growth explodes. Native plants reach root-maturity in the 3rd growing season, so after planting these perennial plants, your native garden will keep developing and putting on more blooms, year after year.
When Should I Plant?
When mimicking Mother Nature, the ideal planting times are during the dormant season, typically October-June (depending on your area). This will give your native plants the best chance at quality root development for the growing season. It's not recommended to plant during summer or fall (some exceptions apply). Most importantly, be patient! Remember, roots first, then flowers.
How Should I Prepare The Planting Site?
When it comes to planting natives, you want to eliminate the competition (pull, spray, smother, till, etc.) first. If natives have to compete with aggressive, fast-growing annual species, they might not do very well. It's best to give them room. Next, sprinkle the seeds on the soil and lightly press them firmly to the soil. Do not bury the seed. Lightly cover them with soil, no deeper than 1/8" (one-eighth inch). Native seeds to not have enough energy to sprout and find the soil surface if buried too deep. From there, lightly water the area to keep the soil moist but not saturated. Once established, native plants do not require watering, fertilizers, or lime of any kind. They are adapted (hints 'native') to grow in our soils, in our climates, and their deep root systems help them find water deep in the earth.
What Size Area Will This Cover?
These mixes have been optimally designed for specific, predetermined planting area sizes.
- Small - 100 square feet or 10ft x 10ft area
- Medium - 625 square feet or 25ft x 25ft area
- Large - 2,000 square feet or 45ft x 45ft area
- 1/4 Acre (quarter acre) - 11,000 square feet or 105ft x 105ft
- Larger sizes can be ordered. Contact us for details.
- Wildlife Mixes Sold By The Acre
However, if your planting area is slightly larger or smaller than the SMALL, MEDIUM, and LARGE sizes; not to worry, you can put the seed on thicker in smaller planting sites or thinner for larger planting sites. Example, the 625sqft mix can be spread thin over a 1,250sqft area (35' x 35') or spread thicker over a 312sqft area (17' x 17').
What Is Your Seed Return Policy?
Seeds are a living product and due to the nature of this, we do not accept returns or issue refunds with the exception of a mistake on our part. If you believe there has been a mistake, please email us and let us know.
Why Are There Different Species In The Mix?
Due to the fluctuating nature of seed availability and market prices, we occasionally substitute species in our mixes to ensure consistent quality without altering the mix's intended ecological benefits. These substitutions are carefully selected to match the original goals of habitat restoration and support for wildlife.
I Ordered My Seed, What Now?
First off, Thank You For Your Order! It really means a lot to us.
During our busy season (October - May) orders can take 5-10 business days to process, fill, and ship; however it's usually faster.
In our off-season (April - September) orders usually take 3-5 business days to process, fill, and ship; sometimes sooner.
All small, medium, large, and 1/4 acre seed mixes are shipped with useful information and more details on how to prep your planting site, how/when to plant, and more.
Learning about native wildflowers can be confusing, especially planting times and methods. Most of us have been taught to plant flowers in the spring or fall, but native wildflowers are different! And at first, this can be counter-intuitive to what you've learned. I know I was confused in the beginning. So please take a few minutes to look over this document to help answer any of your questions.