Phacelia is a rapidly growing, high biomass plant. It is a nitrogen holder and weed suppressor. Its eye catching purple flowers are particularly good at attracting bees and other beneficial insects.
Phacelia is effective at preventing nitrogen leaching and suppressing weeds, due to its fast establishment. Although not known as a deep rooted species, its dense zone of shallow roots are very good at conditioning the top 3-4cm of soil. It’s a good source of pollen and nectar for pollinators and other beneficals. The seeds will only germinate in darkness, which means they should be shallow sown or harrowed and rolled well after sowing.
Type: Annual
Height when fully grown: Average height 1 Metre
Flowers during: June- October
Sowing rate: 1g per metre 2
What’s in the Packet?
100% Phacelia
How to sow grass seed, as recommended by The Royal Horticultural Society:
- Weigh out the correct quantity of seeds for the size of your new lawn – the weight per square metre will be given on the packet (it can vary depending on the seed mix)
- Then divide the seed into two equal batches.
- Sow half the seeds over the whole area by walking up and down in parallel rows, scattering the seed as evenly as you can.
- Repeat the process with the second batch of seeds, walking from side to side this time.
- Lightly rake over the sown area to cover the majority of the seeds with soil.
- If no rain is forecast for a few days, water gently with a light spray, ensuring the seeds aren’t dislodged.
- Protect the seeds from birds by covering with horticultural fleece, weighted down at the edges. This should also improve germination by keeping the soil warm and moist. On a larger scale, try using bird tape, which produces a humming noise as the wind vibrates it. Alternatively, increase the sowing rate by 50 per cent to compensate for losses.
- Water every few days, if necessary.
Germination and growth-
Successful germination relies on many important factors such as: weather conditions, soil type and quality, seed depth, planting time and growers skills. There are many things that can affect successful germination which are out of the control of Rural Supplies and as much as we will always try our best to make sure our seeds reach you in tip top condition, one you receive the seeds it is our of our hands what happens next. Therefore, by buying our products you understand that Rural Supplies takes no responsibility for any success or failures that you encounter whilst growing our seeds. Any opened/ used packs of seed will not be refunded or replaced if you have failed germination.