Prep Your Wildflower Garden for Fall

As autumn approaches, thank your wildflowers for a summer of beautiful blooms with a few thoughtful steps.

Tip 1: Remove spent flowers.
Removing the spent flowers – or deadheading – wildflowers encourages the development of new blooms and prevents self-seeding of invasive species. If a bloom has faded, simply pinch or cut below the spent flower and above the first set of healthy leaves.

Tip 2: Collect seeds.
You can propagate your wildflowers – or share the seeds with others! To collect the seeds from your plants, allow the seedheads to dry on the plant first. Then, carefully collect and store the seeds in a cool, dry place until it's time to sow them.

Tip 3: Trim back foliage.
As summer comes to an end, trim back any overgrown or damaged foliage. Tidying up helps maintain the overall appearance of the garden now, and it reduces the risk of disease and pests overwintering in the plant debris.

Tip 4: Get weeds under control.
Take the time to pull any weeds that have invaded your wildflower garden. Beyond improving the overall appearance of your garden, weeds compete with your wildflowers for nutrients, water and space. Remove them and you create a healthier environment for your desired plants. 

Tip 5: Mulch the soil.
Applying a layer of mulch around your wildflowers helps conserve moisture, suppress weed growth and insulate the soil during the colder months. Using organic materials like shredded leaves or straw, spread a layer of about 2 to 3 inches thick.

Whatever you’re growing can and will benefit from some TLC the last weeks of warmth. If you have annuals planted, these steps will help ensure the soil is in good shape for new seeds next year. If you planted perennials, these steps will help them come back better than ever.

As always, we’d love to see your wildflower gardens! Tag us @modsprout.

Happy Cultivating,
The Modern Sprout Team