How to winter sow native seeds: Starting a wildlife garden
Updated: Feb 11
Dreaming of summertime to ward off winter dreariness? Start planting your wildlife garden! Winter is the perfect time to zip up your coats and begin sowing native seeds.
Stay up-to-date on the latest tips on maintaining a wildlife-friendly yard!
The weather is cold, and the days are short. Like a plant, I long for a return of sunshine, warmth, and the sweet sounds of life- boisterous birds and buzzing bees. Spring may be further than ‘just around the corner,’ but we can hold off the winter blues by focusing on our yards’ futures. While the snow settles in, plan and start planting a myriad of native seeds that will make a refuge for all of the lil' critters that bring so much joy!
What is your favorite yard visitor?
Birds
Bees or other bugs
Deer or big mammals
Squirrels or small mammals
Tell us about wildlife encounters in your yard in the comments!
Get Rid of The Riff Raff: Remove your Lawn
Traditional lawns filled with turfgrass require a silly amount of watering and treating with pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers- all things that harm local environments. Furthermore, they create a monoculture- the only thing that grows in a lawn is grass, not something that provides food or habitat for wildlife. There are a lot of problems with lawns, which will be explored more in a later article. The gist of it is this: lawns suck. People, replace your turf grass with native plants! No matter how much space you can spare, whether that’s one small planter box or your whole yard, planting native is a fantastic way to help wildlife!
An awesome flocking yard
Native plants are adapted to specific areas and are well prepared to deal with their places’ unique challenges. In dry areas, most plants will need less watering. In cold areas, plants will be tolerant of harsh temperatures. Furthermore, the animals that live near these plants will be equipped to fully utilize them. For example, many insects feed on specific types of plants. Monarch butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs, certain bees feed more effectively on asters, and so forth. Thus, more native plants means more native bugs, which is fantastic for birds and other wildlife! Most birds rely on insect protein for raising their young. Small owls, like screech owls, primarily eat insects. Frogs, lizards, shrews, and many other small animals need bugs as part of their diet. By filling space with native plants, you create an awesome place for wildlife, like a lil' national park in your yard!
Read it and (DON'T) weep! This book outlines the ways we can help our wildlife in a very hopeful and positive light.
The Flocking Around crew has been working diligently to maintain a wildlife-friendly yard for several years. Our hard work has paid off, as I have been able to see all sorts of amazing critters! Perhaps my favorite visitors are the birds. Last summer, we had ovenbirds, western flycatchers, chickadees, and house wrens nesting in our wildlife haven. I got to watch wrens picking grasshoppers and caterpillars out of my garden all summer long, and I watched several fledgling birds on their first flights! Having a wildlife-friendly yard is truly an inspiring experience! So, how does one get started?
You grow, girl! Get plantin'
Traditionally, most people start planting seeds in the spring. While this works for many cultivated garden vegetables, native plants have adapted to a different life cycle. In the wild, most native plants spread their seeds in the fall. The seeds are incubated under the snow, and in springtime, they germinate. Many species need this cold period to help them sprout. Fall and winter sowing are great ways to keep spirits high and maintain a wildlife-friendly yard.
Grow food all year with an AeroGarden!
Plants, please! Where to find seeds
So, on to the planting! One of the best ways to maximize wildlife in your yard is to create habitat for them! To do so, first, look up which types of plants are native to your region. This might be the most daunting part of the process, but fear not! Many wonderful resources exist that can aid in your search. Here are four of my personal favorites:
High Country Gardens. This website has a section specifically for finding native seeds for your region.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This robust database can help you find wildflowers that suit your yard, with filters for light, water needs, and habitat type.
The National Audubon Society. This site has a specific and helpful database for finding seeds. Just type in your email and postal code, and they will recommend plants for your area and list what birds the plants are likely to attract.
Homegrown National Park. At this site, you can find many great resources, from where to get seeds to help install a garden.
If you have any questions or need assistance finding the right plants for your yard, please ask at info@flockingaround.com! We are happy to help!
Talk dirt to me - it is time to plant
Once you acquire seeds, it is time to plant. Seeds can be planted directly into the soil, or they can be planted in containers outside.
Planting directly into the soil may be the most straightforward method. When seeds are planted straight into the ground, they require little fuss for the rest of the winter. There are three steps:
Prepare the area. Preparing the soil can look different for every yard. Generally, turf grass will need to be killed so that it does not compete with your baby wildflowers. Instead of using chemical herbicides to remove grass, cover the area with cardboard and a light layer of mulch. This prevents the grass from getting sunlight. Once the grass is dead, remove the cardboard. Alternatively, you can pull your turf grass. Removing the grass by hand can be a chore, and any remaining roots may continue to grow. However, if you don’t have weeks to wait for grass to die under a layer of cardboard, this may be a good alternative. After grass is removed, extra mulch or other nutritious fertilizer can be added to the ground. Lightly raking the soil can help to incorporate both new seeds and nutrients into the ground.
Next, sprinkle seeds. Grab your chosen seeds and sprinkle them on the prepared area. Some species of wildflowers are better for certain areas and conditions, and some will not get along if planted in the same area. Make sure to research the conditions preferred by your seeds. (?The Flocking Around team offers custom gardens, and will help with seed selection and planting location?) Most native seeds will not need to be planted deeply into the ground. At most, a light raking of the soil after sprinkling seeds can help to put them at the right depth. Depending on your location, you will want to sow seeds in the late fall
Finally, cover with a light layer of mulch or hay. The mulch or hay cover will prevent seeds from being blown away during the winter months before they germinate. New seeds may make tasty snacks for the little critters exploring your yard, especially as they get hungry during the winter months. Squirrels or birds may foil your foliage attempts. Planting before a snowfall can also help to hide the seeds from hungry animals. Let them eat from a feeder and not snack on your new plants.
Planting in outdoor containers is another great way to start your wildlife garden! Many people also use this method for their vegetable garden, as many leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflowers enjoy cooler temperatures. This method of planting can be utilized nearly any time throughout the winter, so long as plants have sufficient time to incubate. Most plants will require at least a month of cold temperatures. The steps to prepare plants for spring are simple:
A myriad of different types of containers can be used in this process. Make sure that the planter is clear so that seeds get plenty of sunlight. Cut-up milk jugs or juice bottles make great nurseries for your lil plants, and it’s a good way to reuse plastics instead of throwing them away.
Leaving the container outside will ensure that seedlings are incubated properly and start growing early in the spring.
Once seedlings have appeared, make sure to weather the plants. While they have been exposed to the cold all winter long, if they were sheltered in a garage or against the side of a house, they may not be ready for windy, rainy conditions. Expose them to wind and other harsh conditions in small increments so that they are prepared for when they are planted in the ground. Start with a couple of hours unprotected, then increase slowly to full days.
The Flocking Crew recommends Botany in a Day to learn about the plant families of North America!
I like big buds (and I cannot lie)
Small contributions make a huge impact. One yard can support dozens of species, from pollinators like birds and bees to birds and small mammals. By choosing to plant a native garden, you contribute to the well-being of both local ecosystems and the entire planet. Winter sowing is a wonderful way to work out the season’s blues and start something that will bring springtime joy and jumpstart your wildlife-friendly yard. Go plant those seeds, and let your yard bloom into an extraordinary space.
Share pictures and stories of your wildlife garden, and join the Flock! Subscribe to YouTube, follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Looking for birdy gifts? Check out our Amazon Storefront!
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