If you have received a Prairie Wildflower Seed Packet from an ENCAP employee or from one of our displays here is some helpful information for you.
Native plants and wildflowers provide many benefits to wildlife, soil and water quality, require less maintenance and costs to maintain, and can provide a beautiful and ascetically pleasing view of open space.
In contrast, non-native species do not provide these functions. In fact, aggressive non-native species cause billions of dollars in losses annually.
What species are included in my seed packet?
The Seed Packet that you received from ENCAP, Inc. contains the following wildflowers:
Black-Eyed Susan - Bloom times (Early June - Late October)*
Purple Coneflower (Late June - July)*
Yellow Coneflower (Early July - Late October)*
Sky Blue Aster (Late August - Early November)*
*Blooming timeframes apply to plants growing in the northern Illinois region
For best results:
- Select an Appropriate Planting Location
- Find a generally dry area which will receive direct sunlight more than half of each day
- Mark off a 30 square foot area to plant (1 packet of seed will cover this)
- Choose or create an area with at least a 4 inch thick layer of topsoil
- Prepare seedbed
- If applicable, remove existing vegetation
- Work soil to a minimum depth of 3 inches, eliminating all dirt clods larger than 2 inch diameter
- Remove large stones, sticks, or other obstructions
- Install Seed
- Scatter all seed evenly over the surface of the seedbed
- Gently rake seed into soil just to the point that most of the seed is covered
- Planting Timing
- Plant during spring (March 1 – June 29) or fall (September 15 – October 31) and watering should not be necessary, unless drought conditions exist
- If planting occurs in summer (June 30 – September 15) or drought conditions exist, watering twice a week will help promote establishment and survival
- After initial establishment of the plants, watering is no longer necessary
- Maintain
- Remove weeds from the plot at least twice a year; this can consist of trimming or hand pulling.
ENJOY!
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