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Good Idea to Plant Flowers In Area of Yard Overtaken by Wild Plants?

 
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Location: East Beaches area of Manitoba, Zone 3
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I wanted to ask a question about planting some Zinnias and Cosmos (grown from seed indoors) outside in an area that is presently taken over by wild plants (aka weeds) We live in a forest and I have never managed to "manage" our side yard. It is full of ferns, marsh marigolds, bluebells?, nettle and milkweed, and lots of trees. By summer, we just try to mow it to contain the weeds. And yes, I do try to forage what I can from different areas but I haven't been able to get to this area yet.

What I am wondering is how useful you think it might be to plant some flowers directly in the area, among the bluebells (not sure if that's what they are, but beautiful blue wildflowers) and nettles. Usually, when I plant something, I put cardboard down and then put a hugel mound there, so this would be a new idea for me. Both the cosmos and zinnias plants are about 1 foot tall, but are not flowering yet. My questions are whether putting them in such a aggressive environment would kill them off or would they compete? I could weed the area where they are but I kind of want it to be a "wild meadow" type of garden, if that makes sense. I am hoping that these flowers, which I have read are quite strong/hardy, would compete and kind of redeem this area and maybe tame the other species somewhat. Maybe I could even proprogate them... maybe. This is new territory for me.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance!

Here are some pictures of said area. It is only spring, so the existing plants are quite tame now compared to how they get later in the summer.

IMG_7411.JPG
marshmarigold in wild garden
IMG_7413.JPG
wild garden fallen tree
 
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I feel it would be fun to sow a wildflower mix in October.

Your pollinators will thank you for sowing the wildflowers.

The vegetable gardens will also thank you.  Vegetable plants can never have too many pollinators.

Lucky you to have milkweed.  Mine is out in the woods where I don't get to see it.  I do get to see the monarchs fly by looking for the milkweed.
 
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If I were you I would fill it with shrubs that product nuts and fruits, I don't know where you live but I'd choose hazelnut, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries. Pack it up with edible diversity
 
Shari Clark
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Anne Miller wrote:I feel it would be fun to sow a wildflower mix in October.

Your pollinators will thank you for sowing the wildflowers.

The vegetable gardens will also thank you.  Vegetable plants can never have too many pollinators.

Lucky you to have milkweed.  Mine is out in the woods where I don't get to see it.  I do get to see the monarchs fly by looking for the milkweed.



Anne, I like the idea of wildflower seeds in the fall and am curious if they would compete against what's already there. Yes, I didn't even know it was milkweed until my neighbour noticed it. They are hidden behind other things and I was thrilled to find out what they were.
 
Shari Clark
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Sky Adams wrote:If I were you I would fill it with shrubs that product nuts and fruits, I don't know where you live but I'd choose hazelnut, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries. Pack it up with edible diversity



Sky, thank you, and that does sound wonderful! I don't feel comfortable, though, planting any edible bushes because of the large bear population where we are. There is already wild raspberry all around the property but I don't feel safe inviting any more because berries and nuts are one of the main food sources for brown bears.
 
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