When people think of gardens, they often consider rose gardens, herbs, and even produce. They don't often think about wildflowers. However, you can grow beautiful wildflowers right in your own backyard. Here are some tips for starting a natural garden that makes your backyard resemble the nearby countryside.

Prepare the Planting Site

When you want to plant wildflowers in your yard, you first need to prepare it. Start by deciding exactly where you will plant them and pulling all weeds in that area. Remove all vegetation from that area, even if you think you already have some wildflowers growing. This helps to give you a clean slate to start with. The area you choose should have at least partial sun for wildflowers to grow properly, though direct sunlight is best. Spraying a good herbicide might also be a good idea in the area so no new vegetation or weeds grow before you get your wildflower garden started. Till the ground a few inches after applying your herbicide and rake the ground until it is level. Leave some grooves to hold in the seeds you plant.

Choose the Right Wildflowers

While you should be able to grow any native wildflowers that work good for your climate and soil, there are some that are recommended for beginners. Many wildflowers are easy to grow, even if they aren't native to your location. They will be easy to take care of and keep healthy as well. Some good wildflowers to start with include cosmos, marigold, sunflowers, and zinnias. You might also want to try growing the Mexican sunflower, coreopsis, or cornflowers. These are beautiful, colorful, and vibrant flowers that create a meadow right in your own backyard.

Learn How to Care For the Flowers

Once you have decided what wildflowers you want to grow, it is time to purchase the seeds and begin planting them. As with all plants and flowers, the seed packets will include instructions on how far apart to plant them and what the basic watering instructions are. For most wildflowers, you want to add a water-soluble fertilizer to the area when they start growing to reduce weeds and pest infestation. However, you want to keep some insects in the garden, such as bees and ladybugs. You might even find more hummingbirds and other fun garden creatures when the flowers begin to bloom.

If you don't have a green thumb, but desperately want a mini wildflower garden, consult a landscaping expert. They will get the flowers planted and care for them for you.