Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Friday - November 06, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Meadow Gardens, Propagation, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Improving Bluebonnet seed contact with soil
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I have a five acre field in Blanco County, much of which is covered by bluebonnets. There are several species of native grasses as well. Would it be beneficial to disk or otherwise disturb the soil every few years? Or would annual mowing provide enough soil disturbance to encourage the bluebonnets to reseed?ANSWER:
We have a good website describing methods for large scale wildflower seed planting. This would be useful to you, since the most important requirement for good germination is getting the seeds into direct contact with the mineral soil. Mowing and raking off existing vegetation prior to planting may be necessary to improve seed/soil contact.
However, I would not recommend following these procedures this year. With all the rain we have had, Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) seeds are already germinating in Central Texas. I suggest that you walk through your field looking for sprouting Bluebonnet seeds. I attach two photos of Bluebonnet seedlings. In my yard many of them still have only the two seed leaves (the round leaves shown in the first photo). If you see no signs of Bluebonnet seedlings, it should be save to proceed with the soil-loosening steps described in the website.
From the Image Gallery
More Meadow Gardens Questions
Early, middle and late blooming flowers for pollinators in East Texas
July 05, 2010 - On our farm in northeast Texas we are participating in a Conservation Program through the NRCS. We have to plant 4 acres for pollinators--early blooming, middle blooming, and late blooming. I need t...
view the full question and answer
Planting a meadow garden in Pennsylvania
November 16, 2014 - I live in Saxonburg PA near Pittsburgh PA. I want to put a meadow garden in my back yard. We are building a home so there is no established yard yet just trees and weeds. Where do I start . What...
view the full question and answer
Use of cedar/juniper mulch in wildflower meadows
August 31, 2013 - What to do with freshly shredded cedar/juniper mulch? We have a pile of freshly ground cedar mulch that we can either keep in a large pile until it has composted(but the neighbors are complaining), or...
view the full question and answer
Herbicide use in bluebonnet field in Blanco, TX
April 10, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have the best of both worlds and the worst of both worlds. I’ve been throwing bluebonnet seeds for 6 years on our property near Blanco, and when it rains, as it has this year...
view the full question and answer
Information on creating and maintaining a meadow
February 27, 2003 - Would you please share information about creating and maintaining a meadow?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |