Mid December is a funny moment in the garden. Everything looks like it’s packed up for winter, and yet it’s probably the best time of year to make the decisions that will actually change what your space looks like next summer.

If you’ve been meaning to “do something for nature” but you don’t want a new hobby that eats your weekends, this is the calm, low-effort way to set yourself up for a proper burst of flowers in 2026.

Step 1: Pick your wild space (and keep it small on purpose)

The best wild spaces are rarely the middle of the lawn. They’re usually the bits you already avoid.

Good candidates:

A scruffy strip along a fence
The thin soil by a driveway
A neglected corner that only grows moss and regret
A patch by a shed, compost heap, or the side of a path
Pots and planters you can actually see from the kitchen window

Aim for something you can maintain in 10 minutes. A square metre is enough to make a difference, and it’s far more likely to succeed than the grand “we’ll rewild the whole garden” plan that never survives January.

Step 2: Look at light, not vibes

In winter, it’s easy to misjudge where the sun actually lands. A spot that seems “bright” on a frosty morning can be in shade for most of the day once leaves come back or fences start casting longer shadows.

Do a quick check:

Full sun: 6+ hours of direct sun in summer
Part shade: sun for part of the day, then shade
Shade: bright but no direct sun for most of the day

This matters because the right seed mix is half the battle. If you match flowers to the light levels, everything gets easier.

Step 3: Decide what “success” looks like

Before you scatter anything, decide what you actually want.

A few useful targets:

Pollinator support: flowers that reliably provide nectar and pollen over a long season
Low maintenance: something that looks good without constant weeding
A tidy look: a defined patch, mown edge, or planter setup so it feels intentional
A bit of wild chaos: let it do what it does, with minimal interference

There isn’t a right answer. The trick is making the choice upfront, so you don’t panic in spring and “tidy” the life out of it.

Step 4: Prep now, thank yourself later

The number one reason wildflower patches fail is simple: they get outcompeted. Grasses and fast-growing weeds are absolute bullies.

Winter prep is straightforward:

Choose your patch
Clear it back to bare soil (remove grass and roots, not just the top growth)
Rake it level so seeds can make contact with the soil
Keep it open until sowing time (if it re-greens, just scrape it back again)

If you’re using pots, you’ve got an advantage. You can control the soil and start fresh without fighting the lawn.

Step 5: Make a simple calendar for 2026

You’re planning in December, so keep it sensible and seasonal. Here’s an easy timeline that works for both the UK and Ireland.

December to February

Pick the spot and prep the ground
Decide on sun vs shade mix
Collect a few pots if you want to add a “wild corner” near the house
Leave some stems and seedheads in place elsewhere, it’s winter cover for wildlife and you can always cut back later

March to May

Sow when temperatures start to lift
Water if it’s dry, especially in spring sowings
Keep the patch clear of grasses and aggressive weeds early on

June to September

Enjoy the show
Take a couple of photos so you remember what worked
If you want a tidier look, mow or trim edges only

Autumn

Decide if you want to let things self-seed
Cut back when it suits you, not on a strict schedule

Step 6: Keep it looking intentional (even if it’s wild)

If you’re worried wildflowers will look messy, give them a frame.

Easy “this is on purpose” signals:

A mown border around the patch
A small sign or marker
One neat planter next to the wilder area
A simple path edge or timber border

People accept wildness much more readily when it has a boundary.

Step 7: The tiny checklist that makes the whole thing work

Before you sow:

Is the soil mostly bare?
Is the patch the right light level for the mix?
Have you got a plan for watering if spring turns dry?
Are you prepared to remove grass and nettles early on?

If yes, you’re ahead of 90% of “we tried wildflowers and it didn’t work” stories.

A final thought

Planning a wild space in December is quietly optimistic. It’s you deciding that next summer will be better than this week’s grey drizzle. Keep it small, pick the right spot, and do the boring prep now. Then when spring arrives, you’re not starting from scratch, you’re already ready to have a beautiful wild garden

#createyourwildspace #Pollinators #Biodiversity #Bees #beebombs #gift #nature #bringthebeesback #weareone #eco

🌍🌼🌸🌺❤🐝🦋

How to plan your wild space for 2026 while the garden’s asleep