Fall seeding can be very successful, especially on dry soils. Fall plantings on dry soils allow seeds to germinate in early spring and become established before the heat of summer. Clay soils can also benefit from fall plantings. Young seedlings can become established before the clay dries out in summer and restricts downward root growth. Careful soil preparation and weed control is essential with fall plantings.
Wildflowers exhibit higher spring germination when planted in fall.
Fall seedings on erosion-prone sites require planting with a nurse crop for soil stabilization. The nurse crop will be winter killed but the dead roots will continue to hold the soil over winter, until spring when the prairie seeds germinate. Site preparation is the single most important factor for success with wildflower plantings. Uncontrolled, weeds will compete for light and nutrients, slowing the growth of your flowers and grasses. Before planting be sure to follow the Site Preparation Procedures .