Around the Yard

Things to do this week:

* Sow wildflowers. If you’d like a little slice of the Antelope Valley in your backyard, scatter some California wildflowers seed soon. The idea is to get them in the ground before the first rain because rainfall is the best thing for germination. (The seeds will sprout through irrigation methods, but it isn’t nearly as effective.)

Wildflower seeds are small and should be scattered on the ground with a light sprinkling of soil--not enough to cover, just enough to bring them into contact with the dirt and, hopefully, to fool scavenging birds. Botanic gardens specializing in native plants always cover their seed with bird netting propped up on short stakes to make sure they foil marauders.

Water the ground thoroughly, then scatter the seed and lightly rake it in. Wait for rain or gently sprinkle the area every few days. Weeds probably will sprout too, but you should be able to tell the difference when the plants are several inches tall.

The Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley (in the San Fernando Valley, [818] 768-1802) is one good source for true California wildflower seed. So is mail order Larner Seeds (P.O. Box 407, Bolinas, CA 94924, [415] 868-9407).

* Don’t forget the wannabes. This also is the time to sow would-be wildflowers, such as the orange or yellow annual African daisies that cover much of Palm Springs and San Diego County, as well as other annual flowers such as red flax or red corn poppies. These are among the easiest of flowers to grow, and many so-called wildflower mixes contain these exotics.

Scatter seed, lightly rake it in and gently water every day or every other day until it sprouts.

* Mulch for winter too. To keep hard rains from damaging soil or turning paths into a muddy mess, be sure to save those fallen leaves or buy shredded bark to lay on garden paths and beds. People often mulch in summer, but mulches can be equally important in winter.