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Seed Mix Information

Wildflowers offer a dazzling range of color and form, while displaying the hardiness and adaptability not usually found in their domesticated cousins. These qualities make them ideal for landscaping, where a low-maintenance approach is desired.
Natural displays of wild flowers may look like a casual phenomenon, but natural forces probably took years to achieve such results. Wildflowers offer beautiful, low-cost alternatives for large areas but, frankly, require no less careful planning and preparation than traditional landscaping and, sometimes, require more site preparation.
Success with wild flowers is the sum of three things-a well formulated seed mix, careful planning, and thorough site preparation. Leave out one of these, and failure is practically guaranteed.

Olds' wildflower and flower garden mixes are formulated using a proprietary computer model that takes into account important aspects of each species used in each mix, to deliver a superior ratio of ingredients for a superior stand and show. Call it the flower power ratio, if you like. This method of advanced computer modeling allows us to precisely balance ratios of ingredients that have different seed counts and so prevent small-seeded species from dominating mixes. Thus, large-seeded species will be adequately represented. Other factors taken into account include the relative aggressive nature of each species, its ability to reseed, and establishment time. Blooms per plant, placement of blooms on the plant, along with bloom season, are also considered. Count on each Olds' mix to be formulated with integrity, every time.

Site Preparation

Proper site preparation and planting procedures are as critical to success as the quality of a seed mix. We do not want to sell to someone who disregards preparation and planting instructions. That unhappy customer will haunt us. Olds puts thorough instructions in every package; even the inside of every 5x7" packet is printed with instructions! These instructions are also printed in a brochure, "Steps to Wildflower Success," which are sent upon request, at no charge, to retailers in bundles of 50, complete with a clear plastic easel-back holder for easy dispensing. "Steps to Wildflower Success" helps casual shoppers become acquainted with such a project, perhaps sparking an interest and a sale. Those interested are encouraged to plan and prepare before they purchase. This may scare off those unwilling to make the effort, thus saving the retailer trouble. Because the brochure gives customers the information necessary to prepare a site long before purchasing seed, larger special orders may be encouraged. The brochure emphasizes that site preparation can begin almost anytime and that proper preparation takes time. Customers who cannot begin preparing a site until late May or early June are encouraged to prepare the site for several weeks and plant an all perennial mix in late summer that will establish through the fall months to bloom the following season. In this way, "Steps to Wildflower Success" promotes sales of perennial mixes in late summer, the ideal time to plant them.

Planning

Careful planning begins with assessing your site and choosing an appropriate mix that achieves your goals.

• Weeds. An excessive weed population requires extra steps to eradicate existing plants and the weed seeds that may be dormant in the soil.
• Moisture. Will enough rain nourish the site as it is established, or will you need to irrigate?
• Sunlight. Does the site receive at least one-half day of direct sunlight? If not, forget about wildflowers and consider our Shade Garden Mix.
• Slopes. On level ground or gentle slopes, use regular mixes. On slightly steeper slopes, use Meadow Mixes that consist of one-half wildflower mix and one-half hard fescue. On steep slopes, use our Erosion Control Mix with seedlings strong enough to work their way through the erosion control fabric you'll need to use.
• Longevity. Our Annual/Overseeding mix will be fine if you want a planting to last one season. For three to four years, use a mix with annuals and perennials. If you want a site that will last for more than three or four years, use the Native Species Mix appropriate to your region.

When to plant

Plant mixes that include annual species on a thoroughly prepared site in spring, after the danger of frost is past and until late June. These mixes may be sown in late fall, as long as the site is thoroughly prepared, and soil temperatures remain cool, to prevent germination until the following spring. Plant mixes that contain no annual species as above or in mid to late summer, as long as there is sufficient time — generally 10 to 12 weeks — for the plants to be established before the onset of winter. Plant in summer if irrigation is available. Prior to planting, thorough preparation is a must.