4 Steps to Bringing Wildflower Meadows to the Back Porch

Wildflower meadows grab our attention for a reason: nature unrestrained is glorious. It's possible to bring wildflowers to the backyard for a look of uncomplicated beauty.

It's possible that you've tried the special "wildflower mix" seed packets before and were disappointed by the results. The truth is that although wildflowers grow in the wild and on their own, planting a wildflower garden takes planning and effort. What nature does so well (and what most road maintenance crews consider weeds!) is not easily reproduced in the backyard.

But, don't let that stop you from enjoying the simple beauty of a wildflower garden. With patience and a willingness to try, you can have a carefree wildflower garden in your backyard.

1. Start with a spot that gets full to partial sun. Wildflowers crave sunlight, and access to sunlight will help them sustain themselves once out of the ground.

2. Carefully weed the spot you choose. Starting with a blank canvas is the best way to ensure success.

3. Till your soil, then rake and level it to give your wildflower seeds a good shot at taking root.

4. Plant your seeds according to the package directions, taking careful note of how many square feet you have in your proposed garden and how many square feet the wildflower seeds will amply cover. In 5-6 weeks, you should have your first wildflower blooms.

We want to hear about your wildflower gardens! Tell us about your experiences - the good, the bad and the ugly - or ask us a gardening question by leaving a comment on our Facebook page.

Image Credit: Quinn Dombrowski