I think you want to plant them all late Oct. / early Nov. the length of bluebonnet season seems to depend more on how quick it gets warm than anything else.

Jilly, i would think that all the seeds will come up together. The cold and the water from winter will go to work on those seeds, and as conditions become favorable in the spring, they will bloom.

I think the biggest issue you will have is moisture in the winter. If it's a dry winter, then the Blue Bonnets will not do so well. But with them being on the bayou, well, it sounds pretty moist to me.

Good luck with you Blue Bonnets!

I can only tell you my own experience with blue bonnets. We live in central texas, rocky, dry, etc. I planted the seeds in November, as recommended, only one time. In subsequent years I've had b.b. blooming from January through June. Take into consideration I have a strange back yard. The part nearest the house is the lower level. About 20 feet out from the house there is an upper level about 6 feet taller. There is a privacy fence around the whole thing. So, I think I just have different micro climates and they bloom sort of willy nilly. All of these areas, but particularly the lower level, are protected from the north winter wind.

Sounds like that may be the case with you - having a bayou wall. Are you in southeast texas? I grew up down there but don't ever recall seeing blue bonnets. Seems like they prefer drier conditions, but it's been a while.

I really don't think planting at different times will make a difference, but it can't hurt to try. The issue is sewing the seed when ground temps are correct. There is some growing info at the link below that may help you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Native American Seed

Bluebonnet seed have their own time schedules. If you plant regular bluebonnet seed, only a certain percent of them will come up the first season they're planted. Others are dormant until the following years. In good years (ideal conditions) the maximum percentage will germinate and not all at the exact same time. In bad years like the last one, only a minimum percentage will germinate. If they do good for you for a number of years, you'll probably always have enough seeds in the soil for bluebonnets without planting them.

Yes to SE Texas, I live in Houston.

The bayou is about 175 x 150' and pretty gusty.

There were a couple of patches of bluebonnets that came up voluntary. But I planted about 40 seeds last year and must have ended with 40 plants. I harvested about 1/2 pound of seed. So you think that was luck? hmmm that makes me blue.

I'm going to use the freeze and hot water method of scarifying detailed on the Lady Bird wildflower website and plant in an identified area to see how or if I get germination. I'll let you know how that goes.

I also bought a couple of pounds of scarified seed and some wildflower seed. I'm not certain how that will work because they do mow once in the late summer and it could be the only season the wildflowers bloom.

I'll read more about timing. I want this to work! My husband and I hope to get the neighbors involved and have a beautiful green space across from our homes.

If you see blazes of blue on a Houston bayou. I hope you will think of me and smile.

A fun thing to do with bluebonnets and kids...

Freeze a couple of bb seeds in each compartment of an ice tray. Then let the kids plant the ice cubes. The freezing will help to break the dormancy of the bb seeds, and the kids will have fun with the project.

Janie

You might soak them in water and see how long it takes for them to sprout. You are in a really moist area. Whether or not the moisture makes them sprout in a few days will give you a clue to how much or little you need to do.

Love the ice cube plan for little hands.

Remember, bluebonnets are legumes: if you have lots of hungry birds or mice you'll need to plant more or cover the seeds to protect them,

Promise that you'll post pics....smiles