AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s the thick of bluebonnets season in Central Texas, with residents and visitors alike basking in the fields full of the state’s beloved wildflower. But if you have the desire for it and a bit of patience, you can grow your own patch of bluebonnets on your yard or property.
When should you plant bluebonnet seeds?
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center recommends planting bluebonnet seeds in October and November, stressing early October is the optimal time to sow them. As annual plants, bluebonnets complete the cycle of seed to flower to seed within a year’s time.
Bluebonnet seeds germinate in the fall and grow during the wintertime, with blooms typically beginning in late March and running through mid-May. Come mid-May, bluebonnets form a seedpod; when those seedpods open, they release small seeds into the ground, per the wildflower center.
Thankfully for Central Texans, bluebonnets have adapted to the region’s soils and frequent droughts, experts said. Because of the bluebonnets’ hard-coated seeds, it can sometimes lead to lower germination levels during the first year or two post-planting.
However, the hard coat surrounding the seeds also protects them during difficult weather years. Wildflower center experts recommend scratching the seed coats “to simulate weathering processes” and uptick the bluebonnets’ germination rate.
After the seeds’ coats have been scratched, they can germinate more quickly. Those planting them should water them for several weeks, especially if there’s persistent dry weather.
Ways to nick the seeds’ coats include:
- Physically scratching it with a knife
- Rubbing the seeds with sandpaper
- Freezing the seeds overnight, then pouring boiling water over the seeds before letting them soak at room temperature for several hours
If the seeds won’t be receiving frequent water during drier periods, experts said planters shouldn’t nick them, given the process doesn’t leave behind residual seeds for future years.
When it comes to growing bluebonnets, plant them wherever they’ll receive full sun coverage. Wildflower center officials added bluebonnets shouldn’t be planted overly close to other plants, given they thrive with a little bit of extra wiggle room.
How do I plant bluebonnet seeds?
For those property owners without already weedy land, experts recommend mowing the property’s vegetation down to six to eight inches and raking up the thatch. For bare ground, it’s advised to plant the seeds on a “lightly tilled or slightly roughed soil surface” to maximize contact between the seeds and soil.
That contact is essential for maintaining moisture surrounding the seeds to better promote germination and seedlings’ growth.
The Texas Department of Department of Transportation recommends a planting rate of 20 to 30 pounds of seeds per one acre of land. For smaller patches, many seed providers suggest a rate of eight to 10 seeds for every square foot of land.
How to upkeep your bluebonnet patches
Well-spaced watering is the optimal way to hydrate your bluebonnets, wildflower center experts said. Bluebonnets need some moisture to aid in the germination and growth process; however, too saturated of soil can actually impact their growth.
If it’s a drier fall or winter season with less rainfall, experts recommend occasional watering to help ensure growth. Fertilization isn’t necessary for bluebonnets, with experts warning the process can “encourage leggy and weak plants with more leaves than flowers.”
Experts cautioned planters shouldn’t mow until the bluebonnet plants have formed their matured seedpods, which usually happens between six and eight weeks post-flowering.
Once mature, those seedpods turn yellow or brown and begin to dry out. Waiting until the seeds have matured is the best way to ensure plants can reseed for the following year.