2020 Summer Home and Garden

Page 20 2020 Summer Home and Garden Lincoln Daily News June 11, 2020 are a no-care plant with lovely flowers that produce wonderful floral displays. There are, however, some pesky weeds you would not want to contend with, especially if you are barefoot in your yard. Burweed has sharp burrs that hurt your feet if you walk outside barefoot. Some people call it sticker weed or spur weed. The plants many call weeds play a vital role in the ecosystem. They protect and restore damaged soil left exposed by natural and human-caused disturbances. Beneficial weeds fertilize the soil and increase moisture creating a habitat for valuable insects. On the contrary, weeds also repel pests that are not beneficial to the garden. Some weeds provide nourishment and habitat for wildlife. So, while we don’t want weeds in our gardens, they play an important part in conservation and restoration of our environment. Wildflowers on the other hand are fascinating, a species of flower known to be hardy and self-reproducing with little attention from the gardener. With the wide variety, complicated shaped blossoms, gorgeous colors, and pleasant fragrance they are a perfect complement to any garden or meadow. Wildflowers are considered a low-cost alternative to high-maintenance gardening. Many wildflowers are ideal if you have a tough to maintain area on your property. It does not mean, however, that they are maintenance free. The good news is that most of the effort is in getting the wildflowers started. Before sowing seeds, be sure the ground is a clean palatte with no weeds or vegetation. Wildflower mixes are available for different areas of the United States and are great for getting started but it is better if you can begin with an actual plant. Because wildflower seeds are small it is best to mix them with sand to make it easier to spread evenly. Rake lightly to be sure the seeds are touching the soil. Seeds need to be moist until they are a few inches tall. Much like starting grass seed, it is a good idea to lightly mulch to keep animals from eating the meadow. Some perennials won’t bloom the first year, so it is okay to plant a few annuals for color CONTINUED u