Wildflowers

  

Imagine our delight when Charlie and I approached the corner of Main and McKnight the other day as we were walking our dog, Molly, and  saw the beautiful wildflower “meadow.” Coneflowers. Coreopsis. Poppies. All shapes and sizes and colors of flowers. 

We’ve talked about planting sunflowers in our lot on Wheeler Street at the end of  the Bank of Fayetteville drive through, but this wildflower idea opened up a new realm of possibilities. 

Steve and Michele Winkler own the property at the corner of Main and McKnight, so I sent a message asking for details and directions. I think I asked if they just tossed seeds in the grass and waited for the flowers to pop up and take over. 

It’s  not quite that easy. 

As with many subjects, a little learning is a dangerous thing, so the first step for me was education. Michele stopped by with a sheet of information that she had copied from Wildseed Farms. As we talked, I folded up the sheet and stuck it in my pocket. And at the end of the day, I washed the information with my overalls. I sent another message and Michelle stopped by again and brought Steve with her this time —with more information from Wildseed Farms’ 2022 Wildflower Reference Guide and Seed Catalogue. 

I checked out Wildseed Farms and other websites and learned that most wildflowers require specific soil preparation and certain growing conditions. Some sites say that wildflowers are easy to grow. Other sites delineate multiple steps required to plant and cultivate the flowers. 

According to Jocelyn Benjamin of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, “Wildflowers inspire the oohs and aahs of spring and summer with their vibrant colors and sweet fragrances  But they’re more than just beautiful. They provide many benefits to the world around us.”

Steve and Michele  pointed out that wildflowers provide critical habitat for pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife and should be selected to fit the zone where they’ll be growing. 

I learned that wildflowers require less water and fertilizer, are less prone to disease, and are more tolerant to pests. Wildflowers can improve soil health and  prevent erosion. Healthy wildflowers provide colorful natural beauty, but they benefit the environment as well. 

So. You don’t have to get into your car and take a drive along the interstate or along country roads in order to enjoy the spring and summer wildflowers. Just take a walk to Main and McKnight and stop to smell the flowers.