Planting Nature’s Way: Seeding Wildflowers in Fall

Nature plants wildflower seeds in the fall, so why shouldn’t we?

Wildflowers naturally drop or disperse their seeds over the fall or winter, and many native varieties actually need a period of winter rest to sprout properly. The freezing, thawing, and extra moisture of winter help break the seed’s dormancy, so when spring arrives, they’re ready to wake up and grow. Without this adaptation keeping them dormant, seeds might sprout during a freak warm spell in December - only to be wiped out before spring even arrives.

For those who plant in spring, gardeners often mimic this “wintering” by doing something called cold moist stratification - basically keeping seeds damp in the fridge for 6–8 weeks. Planting in fall lets you skip the fridge trick and instead let nature take care of the process for you.

How to Plant Wildflower Seeds This Fall

Follow these simple steps to set your garden up for fall sowing:

1. Choose the right time. Wait until after your first frost, but before the ground is frozen solid. In Northern Ontario, this usually means mid-September through late October. (In other regions, aim for a similar “sweet spot.”)

2. Pick your spot. Think about sun, soil, and moisture. Check the seed packet, wildflowers are easygoing, but each variety has its own preferences.

3. Prep the site. Clear away old growth and debris, then loosen the soil surface. This gives your seeds the best chance to nestle in.

4. Plant your seeds. Scatter evenly, then gently press them into the soil (walking over the area works great). No need to cover them with soil, mulch, or fertilizer - wildflowers are tough and don’t like rich soil anyway. A good rule of thumb: if weeds grew there, wildflowers will too! Be sure to label your planting site - the seedlings can be tricky to identify in early spring and garden helpers may mistake them for weeds.

5. Let nature do the rest. That’s the beauty of fall planting: once the seeds are in, your job is mostly done. Come spring, you’ll be greeted by a flush of new growth and, before long, a colorful garden buzzing with pollinators.
   

Why Plant in Fall?

Aside from saving yourself the extra steps, fall planting comes with plenty of other benefits:

• Higher survival rates: Loss of seeds to birds, rodents and insects is not as common when planting in fall. 

• Earlier blooms: Perennial seeds planted in fall are more likely to bloom in their first year, and often flower weeks earlier than spring-planted seeds. 

• Easy prep: By fall, weeds and unwanted plants have usually died back, making it easier to prepare your planting area. Mild fall weather is also nicer to work in to prepare the area. 

• Great selection: Many seed companies stock their freshest varieties in fall, so you’ll have more options to choose from.

• Time to transplant: Fall is also the best time to transplant, separate, and move existing perennial plants you have in the garden. While you're splitting up your perennials, plant some seeds to fill in any gaps.