How to Convert Your Lawn into a Wildflower Meadow: A Step-by-Step Guide
**The information below is based on what has worked for us and also what has worked for other professionals we’ve talked to. There are likely many other ways to do what we’re recommending in this resource so doing additional research on what might work best for you is always encouraged!**
1. Site Assessment:
The first step is to evaluate the site you’d like to convert and determine the viability of adding a meadow to that space. Additionally, afterwards this will help you choose the right wildflower species for the meadow. The most important factors to evaluate are sunlight exposure, soil type/drainage and existing vegetation on the site.
2. Research Native Wildflowers:
Once you have a good sense of your site conditions, the next step is to research native wildflower and grass species that are well-suited to your evaluation results. Luckily, there are a lot of native wildflower species that are quite forgiving of site conditions. However, it’s always best to do the research before choosing which species to use. One other thing to consider is the height of the flowers and grasses you choose, some wildflower species can get quick tall so if you want less of a '“wild” look you might want to select shorter species.
(Below are just a few of our favourites.)
Douglas Aster
Woolly Sunflower
Large-Leaved Lupine
Globe Gilia
Showy Fleabane
Western Columbine
Western Yarrow
Common Camas
3. Timing
The best times to start a wildflower meadow are fall and spring. However, starting in the fall has the added benefit of allowing the perennial flowers to get established over the winter. By the time the summer heat arrives, they’ll require much less water than plants that we sown in the spring. If you’re able to provide irrigation (sprinkler, drip or by hand) this can extend planting deep into spring or early summer. We recommend you be cognisant of the water usage it requires to estalbish a meadow in the summer and also be aware of your municipal water restrictions.
4. Lawn and Weed Removal:
This is a very crucial step in the conversion process and will likely be the most arduous. The first step will be to mow the lawn as short as possible. Afterwards, we have a couple recommended options on how to proceed.
Option 1: You can remove the existing grass and weeds manually. For this, you can use a sod cutter or spade. Before starting this process though, it’s best to indentify and manually pull any perennial weeds such as buttercups or dandelions. If you’re on a budget but don’t want to take on the laborious task of removing the lawn with a spade or shovel, you can rent manual sod cutters at most local tool rental shops at very little cost. There are also motorized options which make the job much easier but that ease comes with additional costs. The down side of this option is that you’ll be left with a large amount of debris and sod which can add up very quickly in both volume and weight.
Option 2: If you’re converting a larger space or you’re not in a hurry, another option is to till or cultivate the area and then cover it with an opaque tarp or black plastic sheet. With this method you’ll want to cover the area for a full year before removing the tarp and sowing seeds. However, this will effectively kill whatever vegetation was on the site as well as take care of dormant weed seeds that may be in the soil (there are often many).
5. Soil Preparation:
If you chose to remove the lawn with a shovel or sod cutter, there are a couple steps we recommend you take to reduce weeds sprouting from dormant seeds or that may have been missed during the removal process. A tactic we use often, especially when an area has aggressive perennial weeds, is to lay down cardboard (usually two layers) over the newly exposed soil before adding a healthy amount of fresh soil. While the wildflowers don’t need the nutrients from the fresh soil, we’ve found the benefits of smothering weeds and dormant seeds with the cardboard along with the structure of the fresh soil are worth these extra steps.
6. Seed Sowing:
Direct sow seeds evenly onto the surface of your loose, weed-free soil. Seeds can additionally be raked into the soil to protect them from birds and other wildlife. Lastly, you can lightly press the seeds into the soil using a roller or by walking over the area. This will help the seed stay in place and create more even distribution of wildflowers.
7. Watering:
Water the seeded area thoroughly after sowing. Keep the soil consistently moist until the wildflowers are established. This may require frequent, light watering if the meadow is started later in spring.
8. Establishment Period:
Allow the wildflowers to establish themselves. This may take a few weeks to several months, depending on the species. During this period, minimize foot traffic to avoid disturbing the young plants.
9. Maintenance:
Once the wildflowers are established, they require very little maintenance. You may need to water during dry spells in the first year, but native plants are extremely resilient and many are drought-tolerant once established.
10. Enjoy the Meadow:
Sit back and enjoy your native wildflower meadow. These meadows attract pollinators, provide habitat for wildlife, and contribute to the overall biodiversity of your area.
Remember, the key to success is choosing native species, preparing the soil properly, and allowing the wildflowers time to establish themselves. Additionally, be patient, as it may take some time for the meadow to reach its full potential!
