Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Monday - October 03, 2011
From: Castle Rock, CO
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Seasonal Tasks, Seeds and Seeding, Wildflowers
Title: Time for seeding wildflower seeds in Castle Rock CO
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I live in Castle Rock, CO. When is the best time to plant wildflower seed?ANSWER:
In Texas, we recommend planting wildflower seeds in the Fall, to wait in the soil over Winter and, encouraged by winter rains (when we have some), begin to sprout in late Winter. Castle Rock, at 6200 ft. elevation between Denver and Colorado Springs, with an average 17" annually in precipitation, you may need to use a different timetable.
Happily (for us) we found several websites that can answer your questions about planting wildflowers in Colorado far better than we could.
Colorado State University Extension Office for Douglas County
All of these sites can provide information on seeds, when to plant, care, etc. We would urge you to limit seeds to those wildflowers native to Colorado. There are many wildflower seed mixes available; please use only those that are designated as native to Colorado. Otherwise, you might find yourself raising some non-native plants which may even be invasive and spread to crowd out the ones that belong.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which those plants grow natively.
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
Dill-like plant in veggie garden in California
September 28, 2011 - I have a plant that appeared in my veggie garden. Looks like dill in spring when green, but the leaves smell more like turpentine! Now, 4-5 foot tall, brown, it produces lots of small, oval - not cr...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for burned acreage in Bastrop, Texas
October 31, 2011 - The fire took 2/3 of the trees on my half acre in Bastrop County. It was mostly wild. What do I plant for ground cover? Do I plant native grass seed in fall? I want to keep it native as possible. ...
view the full question and answer
Plants for steep embankment on the Missouri River in Nebraska
July 01, 2009 - Hi, My embankment along the Northeast Nebraska shoreline
of the Missouri River is eroding the land away. Do you have
any suggestions for seed I could throw over the side of
the bank that would grow...
view the full question and answer
Spreading bluebonnets in pasture from Ledbetter TX
April 29, 2013 - I've found a small patch of bluebonnets in my back pasture in Ledbetter, tx. What is the best method of encouraging their spread across the pasture? I've heard that one can pull up the plants and ...
view the full question and answer
Starting Antelope Horn Milkweed Seeds
March 08, 2013 - I recently found a sealed plastic bag containing milkweed seeds in a cabinet drawer that I had gathered more than a year ago, (maybe two years ago). These are the "antelope horn" milkweed I think it...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
