Sowing wild flowers

Native wild flowers will provide colour and pollen for bees throughout the summer. As long as the ground is well prepared, they are easy to start off and maintain. The soil is dug over and any plants or roots diligently removed. No fertiliser is required as grasses thrive in nutrient-rich soil and can outcompete any flowers. The soil is then raked to a crumbly consistency and the seeds scattered over evenly by hand. Including some sand in the mix can help make it easier to see where they fall. Many seeds need sunlight to germinate so are not buried, but can be gently raked over to provide some protection and prevent them blowing away. The area is then watered and left alone, except in dry spells when more watering may be necessary. In summer, the blooms will create a vibrant, colourful patch.