How to Grow Native Flowers to Encourage Insects

Support Your Local Insect Population by Cultivating Wild Flowers

Jun 30, 2009

Our insects are finding it difficult to survive in our modern world. However by growing a range of native flowers you can help encourage them into your garden.

Provide food for a range of insects by growing native wild flowers in your garden. It's easy to do and a great activity to get the kids involved with.

What You Will Need to Grow Your Own Flowers

Growing Your Seeds

Cover your work surface with the newspaper. Then write on the side of each pot what you are going to grow. Now fill your pots or seed trays with the seed compost and water with the watering can. Allow the water to drain right through to the bottom and stand for a little while. Using the base of one of the pots or the backs of your fingers flatten the surface of the compost. Now sprinkle your seeds evenly. If the seeds you are sowing are small then you will not need to cover them but if they are large then you will to sieve some compost over them, about 1cm deep. Take one of the plastic bags and put it over the top of your pot, to keep it in place stretch an elastic band around it.

Caring For Your Seeds As They Grow

Put the pots somewhere warm but not sunny, perhaps in an airing cupboard. Each day check them and lift the plastic bag to get rid of any condensation on the inside. When you see the first exciting signs of growth remove the plastic bag and place on a sunny windowsill. Water lightly when the compost looks like it is drying out.

Moving Your Seeds On

When there are a few leaves your seedlings can be carefully put into individual pots so they can grow bigger ready for putting out into the garden after the last frost. Finally when you plant them in the garden they can either be put into big pots or sow out in the ground where you want them to grow.

Alternate Method of Growing

Not all plants need to be grown in this way for example poppy, teasel and foxglove seeds can be sprinkled onto the ground where they will grow. First you will need to rake the ground then sprinkle the seeds. Then rake the soil lightly over them. When they are big enough any seedlings that are too close can be pulled out so there is at least 15-30cm between each plant.

If you are unsure how best to look after your chosen flowers then seed packets will always give you instructions on the back.

So get growing and enjoy all those lovely insects as they feast on your efforts.

The copyright of the article How to Grow Native Flowers to Encourage Insects in Wildflower Gardens is owned by Lynne Garner. Permission to republish How to Grow Native Flowers to Encourage Insects in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.