4
season and after seeds have
formed, you should mow the
entire area with the mower on
its highest setting (6-8
inches).
This will keep tree and brush
seedlings under control, and
destroy the seed crop of
annual weeds. Wait until at
least half of the late-blooming
wildflowers have had time to
drop seeds. If your meadow
includes tall, warm-season
native grasses, wait until late
summer or early fall to mow.
Leaving seed heads in place
through the winter adds
interest to the meadow and
provides food for the birds.
After mowing, leave the
clippings in place, unless the
meadow is in a moist area, in
which case the clippings need
to be removed.
What to Expect
The First Year will be
dominated by the annuals
that germinate quickly. These
are bright and showy, with the
best display in mid- to late
summer. Although they will
reseed a certain amount, to
maintain the color level you
should plan to reseed annuals
every two or three years.
While many perennials will
also germinate the first year,
their root growth comprises
two or three times the amount
of the above-ground
vegetation, and they normally
don’t flower until the second
or third year.
The Second Year will see the
native bunch grasses flower
and produce seeds, assuming
that there has been well-
spaced and abundant rainfall.
Some biennial and perennial
wildflowers will begin to bloom.
If weather conditions weren’t
optimal the first year, residual
seeds from that planting may
germinate.
As the meadow fills out, you
may want to re-seed or
transplant species to fill in
bare spots or increase
diversity. If annual weeds are a
problem, remove them before
they set seed.
The Third Year and Beyond
may see enough growth that
you might consider a
“controlled burn." Fire is a
natural process in many
ecosystems and can reduce
the woody plants and other
invasive species. Burning also
stimulates the growth of
many native grasses and
prairie perennials, and breaks
the dormancy of some seeds.
However, burning is a technique
that requires special expertise
and should not be attempted
without first consulting
experienced experts.
Since fire affects all the
species in the meadow, be sure
of your goal before using it as
a tool. Many areas require
permits for burning, or may
prohibit it completely, so check
This article was written by
Thomas D. Patrick, President,
WindStar Wildlife Institute.
It was edited by Maryland
Master Wildlife Habitat
Naturalist Cathy Gilleland.
For more information or for the
name of a Master Wildlife
Habitat Naturalist in your area,
please contact:
WindStar Wildlife Institute
10072 Vista Court
Myersville, Maryland 21773
Phone: 301-293-3351
E-mail: wildlife@windstar.org
http://www.windstar.org
WindStar Wildlife Institute
is a national, non-profit,
conservation organization whose
mission is to help individuals
and families establish or
improve the wildlife habitat on
their properties.
local regulations. If you choose
not to burn, you can continue
to control weeds by mowing or
spot-treating with herbicides.
Although a wildflower
meadow is not maintenance-
free and requires some
advance preparation, once it is
established it is less labor-
intensive and costs less to
maintain than a traditional
lawn. In addition, it will provide
you and your neighbors with an
ever-changing display of color
and texture, while at the same
time offer food and shelter to
some of the wildlife displaced
by development.
Your meadow may inspire
others to follow your lead,
perhaps even as community
efforts at schools or along
roadways. A wildflower meadow
is a treasure in every season,
so why not start right now to
make your plans for a beautiful
future.
“If it is true, as
Emerson suggested,
that the earth laughs
in flowers, then a
meadow is the earth
laughing right out
loud."
—Laura Martin
The Wildflower Meadow Book
