Arizona pick up nearly 300 days of fair weather each twelvemonth , the highest in the U.S. Different wildflowers grow on the tableland that occupies one - third of Arizona in the northern part of the state , than those that thrive in the warmth of the arid deserts of the southern two - third base of the state . You ’ll have the most succeeder by planting wildflowers that have evolved to fly high in your part of Arizona .
Time to Plant
In Arizona , as in the eternal rest of nature , wildflower source germinate all times of the year , depending on the blossom and the weather . It ’s best to plant them when the showery season comes . If you survive in southerly Arizona , the rains typically come up in the anatomy of thunderstorm in July and August . If you live in northerly Arizona , you will have spring rainfall .
In the cold Arizona tableland , sow and water annual wildflowers after the risk of frost has choke in the springiness . Do n’t water them if you embed them in the gloam , and do n’t expect them to germinate until the following spring .
Sow perennials any prison term . If you plant them in the wintertime , cover them cautiously , but do not water . If you water them , the seedling roots will be too shallow to exist a hard frost . Water the seeds when the soil reaches 60 stage F in the spring . Plant affectionate season smoke seeds of buffelgrass , red brome and Arizona cottontop when the dirt is at least 60 degrees F.
Soil
If the soil in your area miss nutrients , give it a rise by shoveling in compost , or use it as a mulch . If your land has been antecedently farm , do not till the filth , because it will bring weed semen to the aerofoil to contend with your wildflowers . If you have to till the soil because you are take off a new garden , hold off until the weeds come along , which take one or two weeks . transfer the dope , water and weed again before you seed your seeds .
How to Sow
If your land is downcast in organic matter , plow it with a mixture of sand and compost or well - composted manure before you sow the seed . disperse the semen equally by hand . Mix the seed with sand to help you disperse a small amount of seed over a expectant area . report an area twice , walking in the south to north , then western United States to east . apply a rake to cover the seeds 1/8 inch deep with top grunge . Some seeds will remain on top ; they only need ignitor and water to bourgeon .
If you want to grow seedlings to transplant , sow and water the seeds 4 inches deep in pea plant - sized crushed rock mix with fine dirt . The crushed rock will protect the seeds from the skirt , sun and wind . Moisten the gravel every day . slender duncical stands of seedling to one every 6 inches .
Mulch
Many wildflower are idle and many have evolved to be scattered by the wind . It ’s authoritative to keep the seeds in place , though . Mulch help keep the seed in berth ; it also sum nutrient and moisten the land . The good mulch is ground , but any organic matter will do , include weed - free straw , older sawdust or leave . plane or burlap bag will avail keep birds away from the seminal fluid , but only apply them for two or three weeks . If a duncical straw mulch rots , it can suppress seeds . In airy arena and on steep side , keep the dirt in place with a binder made of cornflour or Plantago psyllium , or exquisitely ground plantago seeds . Put the ring-binder in place , then water .
Watering Seeds
If your area lacks rain , water new sown seed twice a day for three week to keep them dampish . If the emerging seedlings dry out , they will die ; water them twice a day for another three weeks . As the solution get deeper , water the efflorescence less often . water supply twice a week after the first six week , then once a week for a month , and then monthly until it freezes . When aboriginal wildflower are mature , irrigate them only when they are not have rain .
