Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Biomats

Q. I recently planted a wildflower "biomat" (it has not yet sprouted). This is a "sheet" of dried soil that is embedded with seeds. You just lay the sheet down and water! Are these biomats considered good quality? Are they considered a "respectable" way to plant flowers by veteran gardeners? It is
so easy to do.

A. I find them to be just OK. I would never buy one for my garden nor recommend them to my questioners or students. The main reason is this:

The seeds are from all sorts of annuals, mixed together. How can you expect all of them to need the same amount of light and water? So, while some will thrive and take over the space of the smaller, less fortunate ones, you lose many of the varieties advertised. It is better to plan your own garden beds, buy the seeds and start them indoors, or buy the flats or six packs of plantlets ready for outdoor gardening. I like much more control over my plants than those strips supply and the results are far more pleasing.