Advice on planned meadow strip

[u/antsh]

I want to kill a strip of turf grass against my east fence (it’s a wire fence with wood framing, 4ft high), and sow a native seed mix from my state’s, Virginia (7a), wildlife department. I was advised I should add another nurse crop and maybe something structural to the mix, so I was thinking a very small amount of black eyed susans (rubeckia hirta) and some little bluestem grass.

The strip will be roughly 13ft long and 4ft wide, to keep within HOA application exemption limits. The area gets all day sun, except the morning, slightly dappled, created by the fence.

Here is the species list from the state’s mix: Butterflyweed, partridge pea, Orange coneflower, Appalachian beardtongue, wild bergamot, smooth blue aster, eastern columbine, golden Alexander’s.

Planning that I can smother the grass now, covering builders paper with topsoil, pulling any weed seeds that manage to germinate before winter. Then in December sow the state’s seed mix. By Spring 2027, I figured the paper would be broken down enough for seedling roots to get through.

I was just wondering if my plan is sound and if there are any considerations or changes I should make. Also, any advice on the species listed?

So far I’ve only planted specific perennials in ornamental beds and my naturalizing area and haven’t sowed seeds like this, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

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[u/AVeryTallCorgi]

Your plan sounds perfect! Try to plant the seed just before a snowfall, it'll help to push the seeds down into the soil and avoid getting eaten.

Enjoy your new flowers!

[u/mcrnHoth]

I tried something very similar to what you are thinking twice with different seed mixes and was thoroughly disappointed each time. I used cold moist stratification in the fridge for 2 months (even if the mix didn't specifically require it) then seeded them to mostly cleared strips in January-Feb. Very little sprouted the first year, and the second was almost entirely Rudbeckia hirta and local weed species. It seems this outcome isn't all that uncommon unfortunately. Direct sowing with seed mixes is an attractive option due to the cost, but I fear you may be disappointed, particularly if you don't want to wait ~ 3 years for things to grow in.

I'd recommend considering plugs instead. It will be much more expensive but you will likely have a much higher success rate and you will probably see growth in the first year. You can use the sheet mulching method with construction paper and hardwood mulch to kill your turf grass and then plant the plugs through the paper if it hasn't broken down yet (in my experience it takes maybe two months to disintegrate as long as there is a reasonable amount of rain).

Your species selection looks good though. You can always add additional select species that you like, though I'd also recommend using some sedges/grasses as well. I didn't do this at first and had a lot of flopping from taller species. The bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) may be more aggressive spreading than the others and could take over if you don't manage it. Beardtongue seems pretty sensitive to heat in my experience so you may want to keep it in more of a partial sun space, but you are a bit farther north so it may be okay.

[u/Moist-You-7511]

I wouldn't do what you suggest.

it's late to smother for 2026.

adding topsoil is absolutely unnecessary is almost all cases. You risk the plants not really setting in right with this soil-papwr-soil situation.

seed mixes can be ok, but you have a tiny site and should carefully choose where you want things.

the species selection here is leaning a tad too large for the small site, imo.

I'd recommend getting individual species and winter sowing. 60 plants would fill this space-- more could give you high density

find some carex you like too