A number of years ago, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to include a wildflower garden in the space that was already occupied by my garden.
I had been experimenting with various methods of fertilizing, weed management, and insect control in an effort to design a gardening strategy that was less harmful to the environment. The next obvious step for me was to create a garden in the manner of a natural setting or with wildflowers.
I had no prior experience with this, but I had the impression that the specific piece of my yard in question would need very little maintenance. If these flowers grow naturally without any assistance from humans, then I have discovered the perfect “no maintenance” garden… right?
Wrong. As I did my study, I discovered that in order to successfully create my wildflower garden, I needed to take into consideration the soil type, the amount of light, and the amount of moisture.
On the other hand, I discovered that if you are willing to learn from nature, it may turn into a beautiful adventure that is certain to be successful. After all, mother nature has been cultivating plants and trees since the beginning of time.
It is not necessary to be an expert or an artist in order to build a wildflower garden; rather, all that is required of you is to be watchful and to allow your creative juices to flow.
Decide a Theme.
Take a moment to take in your surroundings and think about what makes them special. Do you desire to improve or supplement these items in any way?
Your garden may be whatever you want it to be, from a whole garden filled with wildflowers to a garden inside your current garden; it can have a simple mulch path with a little seat for sitting, or it can have complex brick walks and walls, a water feature, and lights. The choice is yours. The size and layout of the project will define how much work has to be done.
Choose the Types of Plants.
If you are thinking about starting a natural wildflower garden, keep in mind that in order to be successful, you will need to work with the natural environment in your area and choose plants that will do well in the circumstances that are there. Learn once again from the natural world by exploring the nearby parks, woods, and meadows. What kinds of wildflowers may be found there, and just as important, where precisely can they be found growing—in the shade of trees, in the open sun, between rocks, or even at the water’s edge?
Plant things in your favorite colors so that each day may be a visual treat for you.
If your new wildflower garden will be visible from the home, you may want to consider planting some taller plants.
Your choice of wildflower garden will probably be influenced by the climate in which you reside. For example, if you live in a temperate climate, you may go for a cottage garden, while those who live in warmer climates might choose a tropical garden.
You can get a head start on your garden by starting with plants or seeds, but either way, you’ll need to plan and prepare the soil before you can really start planting anything.
Plan the Layout.
Regardless of the size, your new garden should complement not just your house but also your property and, if possible, the surrounding community as well.
You need to take into consideration a variety of factors if you want to finish up with a layout for your garden that you will like.
- Your own character, including your likes and dislikes.
- The function that you want your garden to have in your life
- Conditions of growth that are specific to your region
- How much time you are able to spend on upkeep and repairs
If you are looking for a peaceful place to sit for a while and unwind, then your new garden should have a stone bench that is encircled by tall plants to give the impression of seclusion and tranquility. As I previously said, you are free to design your wildflower garden in whatever manner you see fit. If you plan the work and then really do the job, you will be able to make this a reality.
Set a Budget.
The choices you need to make are straightforward, and they are the same judgments that you would need to make when creating any kind of garden; but, neglecting to plan is the same as preparing to fail.
It is OK to sketch your plan using a pencil and paper if you have settled on the idea of creating a little wildflower garden. If you have a wide region, you could find that developing a plan with the help of a software tool is the best way to go about it.
In order to properly hardscape a wide area, you will want more exact dimensions for things like sheds, fences, and other structures. The cost of planting vast areas may be fairly high, which is why you should be sure that your overall strategy is sound before you begin purchasing plants. Having everything laid out in front of you on a thorough plan can help you avoid making errors, which will save you time and money.
The planning step of the process is one that I take great pleasure in being a part of. You are free to let your imagination run wild, but ultimately you will need to figure out how to implement your ideas within the constraints of the time and money you have available. Therefore, let your imagination go wild as you design your ideal garden, and then get to work on improving it.
This is the first piece in a series of articles that will teach you how to organize, create, and cultivate a garden filled with wildflowers.
