how to

Sow the Seeds of Change, literally.

a PFSC field guide:

whether you're working with a backyard, a roadside strip, or a forgotten corner behind a building, this guide will walk you through how to bring it back to life. this isn't just planting wildflowers. this is restoring balance; one square foot at a time.

1. pick your planting site

sunlight is helpful, but not required. most native wildflowers do best with six hours or more, but others will thrive in part shade or mixed conditions. what matters most is knowing your space.

take note of how much light it gets throughout the day. watch how water moves through it. is it dry and sandy, or does it stay damp after rain? are you planting on a slope, a flat lawn, or somewhere already a little wild?

PFSC tip: the more we know about the site, the better we can tune your mix. fill out the PFSC FIELD LOG – PRE-SHIP REPORT after your order.

you don’t need a big yard or ideal conditions. you just need a patch of land where something better can grow.

2. prep the ground

clear away grass, mulch, and weeds until you’re down to bare soil. you don’t need to dig deep. just rough up the top inch or two so the seeds can touch the earth.

if you’re working ahead of time, you can lay down cardboard or tarp for a few weeks to smother existing growth. no need for chemicals or machines. just make space.

you’re creating a clean slate. less competition means more life from your seeds.

3. mix and sow

before sowing, mix your seeds with a seed filler to help spread them evenly. this is especially important for small seeds or large areas. a 50/50 mixture of seeds and filler works like a charm.

you can use:

• PFSC boiled rice hulls
• dry compost
• clean sawdust
• coarse mulch
• clean sand

once mixed, scatter by hand. toss gently, aiming for a light, even coat. don’t worry about perfection. wild doesn’t grow in straight lines.

after sowing, press the seeds into the soil using your hands, your feet, or a flat board. you’re helping them settle into place. no need to bury them. just make sure they’re in contact with the soil.

4. water to establish

keep the area moist for the first two to three weeks. that’s when the seeds begin to wake up. if nature handles it with rain, great. if not, check in and water as needed.

fall sowers usually don’t need to water. the cold season sets the stage for spring germination.

once seedlings are established, most native plants are drought-tolerant. they’re built for survival.

5. let nature take it from here

some seeds sprout in days. some take weeks. some wait until next season. that’s how native plants work. they’re patient. they build deep roots before they bloom.

the first year is for roots. the second year is for flowers. the third year is for everyone else to notice.

don’t panic if the first season looks slow. the real work is happening underground.

what to expect

• sprouts in the first season, sometimes within weeks
• blooms starting year one, with more in year two
• some weeds early on; learn what to pull and what to trust
• butterflies, bees, birds, and beauty arriving with time
  

it doesnt happen instantly; change takes a minute.

this isn’t just gardening

this is restoration. this is resistance. this is remembering how to live with the land again.

every seed you plant is a small act of rebellion. every bloom is proof that change is possible. what you’re doing might look quiet. but it's not; you’re sowing the seeds of change.