But, in the darker days of the year it can be just as rewarding to search out those hardier plants – as the discovery of a single, small blossom can give just as much pleasure. Under the Theft Act (1968) you cannot ‘steal’ a plant that it is genuinely growing wild as long as you are not picking it/parts of it for commercial purposes; This means that you can pick plants that are growing wild, but not from gardens, flower beds or other places where the … And at Southern Hill Farms, you can actually pick your own peaches, berries, and wildflowers for just a $1 a flower! A: Once your wildflowers have finished blooming, you can cut them to the ground (or leave them standing if you don’t mind the way they look). There are some areas where you should not pick bluebonnets. Remember to pick a stem with a leaf, or take a separate leaf to press with it. On top of all that, being able to pick wild food is a fun activity. Butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, and other insects, depend on seeds, nectar, and pollen for their food, and nutrients. which is a motto I can stand behind. For Floridians, that can mean some not-so-great things, like pollen and humidity, but it also means a return of the most beautiful wildflowers. (Most wildflowers are adapted to poor soils) * Don't expect everything to come up the first year. It is a wonderful experience to stand in one of our remaining wildflower meadows or walk the footpaths through woods and hedgerows in spring and summer. For example, there are laws against criminal trespassing, so ensure that you are not on private property. Inside the old flower (or its seed capsules), you should see small seeds that are hard and dark in color. 5 Easy Wildflowers. Some bookstores sell the Conservation Department book Missouri Wildflowers, but you can also purchase it directly from the Conservation Department for $9. If you’re in a survival situation, knowing what you can and can’t eat can save your life. If you feel that your soil lacks nutrients, fertilizing your wildflower area at the time of planting is acceptable, as long as you use the fertilizer moderately. To place an order, go to our books and videos page. Picking wildflowers is also covered under the 1968 Theft Act which again states you can pick wildflowers as long as you don’t do it for reward or for any other “commercial purpose”. The following are a few wildflowers that are relatively easy to start from seed indoors and to transplant outdoors in the spring. Most wild flowers soon wither if you pick them, but you can preserve them for a long time by pressing or drying them. And, in Texas, it is illegal to walk along the freeways or the shoulder of the freeways. Fertilizing wildflowers after the plants are established will result in larger amounts of foliage at the expense of blooms. And if you plan to visit a Texas State Park for wildflower viewing, note that it is against the law to pick… * Don't fertilize. You can mix them with sand for better distribution. Before doing so, make sure they’ve gone to seed. We encourage you to grow wildflowers if you want to pick them. Secondly, you cannot block traffic with your vehicle when you stop to pick the flowers. Choose only flowers that you know are common, and do not pick them unless there are lots of them. Write to Missouri Department of Conservation, Fiscal Section, PO Box 180, Jefferson City MO 65102-0180. The new year has passed, and spring will be upon us before we know it. Include tax and shipping. There is a beautiful sign in San Bruno park that says "Wildflowers are for everyone, please don't pick them." You learn a lot about nature, and it’s amazing how aware of the natural world you become. This is especially important for annuals.