Wildflowers & Meadow Mix

Wildflower meadow fertilization operates on a fundamentally different principle than every other crop in this guide: less is more, and in many cases, the best fertilizer program is no fertilizer at all. This counterintuitive approach stems from the competitive dynamics between wildflowers and grasses. Grasses are aggressive fertility lovers that respond to nitrogen by growing faster, taller, and denser — quickly overwhelming the slower-growing wildflowers that gardeners are trying to establish. The UConn Soil Lab confirms that wildflowers native to New England's woodlands and meadows have low nutrient requirements, and recommends fertilizing only once in spring based on soil test results. Available phosphorus is the single most important nutrient that determines grassland diversity — high phosphorus levels actually reduce wildflower species richness by favoring dominant grass species. When fertilization is needed (particularly for new plantings on poor subsoil), a low-nitrogen formula like 5-10-10 applied once at establishment is appropriate. The critical insight many gardeners miss is that wildflowers do not actually thrive in poor soil — they simply tolerate it better than the grasses that would otherwise outcompete them. In fertile garden soil without grass competition, wildflowers grow vigorously just like any ornamental. The management strategy therefore focuses on maintaining low fertility to suppress grass competition while providing just enough nutrition for wildflower establishment. Annual maintenance involves removing and composting all cut material after the flowering season to prevent nutrient recycling that gradually enriches the soil and shifts the balance toward grasses. For pollinator meadows gaining popularity across New England, native perennial species from UNH Extension's recommended lists are far more sustainable than annual wildflower mixes that provide first-year color but rarely persist.