Our wildflower seed mix for soil health is specially designed to support and regenerate tired or depleted soils. This carefully curated blend of native wildflowers combines nitrogen-fixing legumes, deep-rooted herbs, and pollinator-friendly perennials to improve soil structure, increase microbial activity, and promote biodiversity—naturally.
Perfect for gardeners, landowners, and growers who favour a holistic approach to soil care—boosting fertility naturally, without chemical inputs—while supporting wildlife and biodiversity.
Contents may change with each new harvest and depending on availability. Suitable for most soil types, do not add compost or fertiliser when sowing.
Can I use this wildflower mix as a green manure? Yes. While it’s not a traditional short-term green manure, it’s ideal for long-term soil health and biodiversity, making it a great choice for reinvigorating allotments, regenerative gardening and fallow areas.
What is the best way to improve the quality of the soil in my garden borders? The best way to improve the quality of soil in your garden borders is to add organic matter—such as compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mould—to boost nutrients, improve structure, and support healthy microbial life. You can also grow deep-rooted plants and nitrogen-fixing wildflowers to naturally enrich the soil over time without relying on chemical fertilisers. To do this, you can look for a native wildflower seed mixture that contains those species, such as this mixture of wildflowers for soil health, or choose to buy individual wildflower species and blend your own.
Sowing rate: We recommend sowing our native wildflower seed mix for soil health at a rate of 2 grams per square metre. For more densely populated growth this can be increased to 4 grams per square metre. To encourage even distribution when scattering, wildflower seeds can be mixed with dry sand, sawdust, or flour at a weight ratio of 1:4 (seed to spreader).
When to sow wildflower seeds: Ideally sown in autumn, however, for germination in the spring or early summer they can be sown when the ground temperature is above 12 degrees and the conditions are warm and wet. Ensure that the seeds have good soil contact by pressing them lightly into the earth. Do not cover with soil. Take a look at these tips for successful wildflower seed germination.
A diverse mix of 19 species, including:
Wild white clover (Trifolium repens) – Nitrogen fixer
Bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) – Supports pollinators & soil life
Common knapweed (Centaurea nigra) – Deep-rooted perennial for structure
Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare) – Bee magnet and taproot developer
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) – Ground cover and pollinator support
Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) – Legume for nitrogen fixation
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) – Soil improver and forage plant
Black medick (Medicago lupulina) – Quick-growing nitrogen fixer
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Enhances microbial diversity
Wild carrot (Daucus carota) – Deep taproots break compacted soil
Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) – Lightly fragrant and pollinator-friendly
Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) – Taprooted and beneficial to insects
Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) – Reduces grass dominance
Greater knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) – Pollinator powerhouse
Kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) – Soil-binding legume
Tufted vetch (Vicia sativa) – Fast-growing nitrogen fixer
Wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) – Architectural and bird-friendly
Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) – Herbal plant with deep roots
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) – Soil-penetrating taproot and nectar source
Ground Preparation: Creating the Right Conditions for Soil Boosting Wildflowers to Thrive
Healthy soil starts with thoughtful groundwork. Our Soil Health Wildflower Mix is best sown onto low-fertility soil that’s free from thick grass and perennial weeds. These species thrive when they’re not outcompeted, so preparing your site well is essential.
Remove grass: Grass can quickly outcompete young wildflowers. In gardens, strip turf and roots from the surface. In larger areas where the grass is dominant sow yellow rattle the autumn before you plan to sow this mix—it’s a hemi-parasitic plant that naturally reduces grass dominance and creates space for other species.
Weed control: Remove persistent weeds either by repeated hoeing, cultivation, or hand-pulling. Pay special attention to docks, nettles, and thistles.
Soil preparation: Lightly dig or rotavate the area to expose soil. Then rake the surface to create a fine, crumbly texture (known as a ‘tilth’)—ideal for seed-to-soil contact.
Firm the soil: Tread or roll the area to create a level, firm seedbed. Wait a week, then pull up any new weed growth before sowing.
Sowing: When and How to Sow the Soil Health Mi
The best time to sow is autumn (August to October) or spring (March to May) when the soil is moist and temperatures are rising. You can also sow during summer with regular watering, ideally using collected rainwater.
How to sow:
- Even coverage: Mark off the area you plan to sow into sections and split the seed accordingly. Mix each portion of seed with a few handfuls of soil and then scatter evenly across the area.
- Surface sowing only: Scatter the seed mix on top—do not cover with soil. Many of these seeds need light to germinate.
- Press, don’t bury: Lightly press seeds into the soil by walking over the area or using a roller to ensure firm contact with the soil.
First-Year Management: Establishing Your Ecosystem
This mix is rich in perennial wildflowers and legumes—plants that develop deep roots, fix nitrogen, and build soil health over time. You may not see many flowers in the first year, but your soil is already improving below the surface.
In year one, expect some “weeds” from the existing seed bank to emerge. These often help shelter your seedlings and create early insect habitats. Hand-pull any dominant species if needed, but don’t over-manage.
Key tips:
- Avoid mowing too early—especially if yellow rattle is present.
- In late summer, cut back to 50mm and remove cuttings to prevent enriching the soil with too much organic matter.
- Hand pull invasive or persistent weeds to prevent crowding.
Long-Term Care: Supporting Soil and Species
From year two onward, your planting will establish more fully—deep-rooted herbs will improve drainage and structure, legumes will enhance fertility, and a diversity of blooms will support pollinators and beneficial insects.
Annual management tips:
- Summer cut (July–August): Allow flowers to bloom fully, then cut to 50mm.
- Seed drop: Leave cuttings in place for a week to allow seeds to disperse naturally.
- Cutting rotation: Move cuttings to lower-density areas to spread diversity.
- Autumn/winter management: Light mowing or grazing helps maintain balance and prevents woody growth.
If you want to enrich or extend the mix, autumn is the best time to overseed. After cutting, scarify patches of soil and broadcast fresh seed, then tread or roll in.
Establishing a wildflower meadow for soil health is a long-term investment in your land, your garden, and the wider ecosystem. With patience and care, this mix will reward you with a living landscape—root-deep in purpose and rich in life.
