Initial problem:  Recently purchased a new home with 3/4 acre of lawn.  This
lawn was like all others in the area in that it required regular maintenance
(mowing, mulching, weeding, feeding, etc.).  Being a naturalist at heart I
had strong resistance to the thought of spending my weekend hours inhaling
exhaust fumes behind a several hundred dollar lawn mower to maintain this
little patch of artificially maintained greenery.  Then to have it dry to a
sandy brown in the 90 degree New England summer heat.  Of course I could
water the grass but the sight of dumping all to scarce water onto a patch of
grass, in an effort to keep it green, has always made me cringe.  There had
to be a better way.
 
After a long search I have decided to opt out of the high maintenance of a
100% grass lawn for (in my opinion) a more attractive and natural
alternative.  That being seeding the boarders, hilly areas, and unused areas
of my lawn with wildflowers mixed for this area of the country.
 
I visited The Vermont Wildflower Farm in Charlotte VT this past weekend and
decided that this was the solution I was searching for.  Wildflowers provide
a flood of color from early spring through the first killing frost.  They are
naturally disease and drought resistant, and they require absurdly little
maintenance and as natural survivors are acclimated to your geographical
area. Thriving on conditions that turn domesticated and hybridized varieties
to twigs.
 
From my understanding the process is simple.  Pick a site that gets at least
4 hours of bright sun per day.  The more sun the better.  Transition areas
from lawn to woodlands are perfect.  Till the soil to prepare it.  Add no
soil improvements like fertilizers, lime, or peat.  Wildflowers are not used
to the "good soil" gardeners are used to looking for.  Once you have the bare
soil allow it to sit for a few days to a week.  Small native weeds will most
likely start popping up.  You can either till again to kill these or use a
systemic, herbicide that will get rid of the weeds but will not linger in the
soil or ground water.  Rake the area of plant materials.  Mix your wildflower
seed with ten parts builders sand and hand densely broadcast the seed out
onto the soil.  The important thing is to get good seed to soil contact so
running a lawn roller over the area is a good idea.  Keep the area moist
while the  plants make it to about 10" tall.
 
In a few short weeks you will see the patch coming alive with young plants
and very soon the area will be full of annual flower blossoms that last all
growing season.  Many of the mixtures sold are part annual (most dramatic
blossoms) and perennial varieties that will not bloom until next year.  Then
in the fall when (at least here in the north) the frost has taken down the
last of the flowers you mow the area (the only mowing all year) on the
highest setting to make sure woody brush and tree seedlings can not get
established.
 
The next spring your perennials will come on and if you like you can intermix
a new panting of annuals so you can enjoy both types of flowers all spring,
summer and fall.
 
I plan to be out there next spring spreading out my NorthEast wildflower
mixture and standing back.  If all goes well (and I will let you know if it
doesn't) the percentage of my yard that will need to be pampered, trimmed,
and "baby sat" will be growing smaller and smaller as the years go on.
 
Another benefit of this is that being a backyard beekeeper my hive of honey
bees will have a local supply of nectar.
 
Catalogs are available from:
The Vermont Wildflower Farm
Rt.7
Charlotte, VT  05455
Phone: 802/425-3500
 
                            jeff young
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