Winter rains bring the promise of spring wildflowers. Rains help germinate seeds and allow roots to grow deep into the soil. This is the time to plant a lovely wildflower border in your garden or set out a wildflower container for your front entry, patio or balcony. There’s no better way to plant wildflowers than to make and scatter seed balls. Recognizing wildflowers as nature’s wonder, the Audubon Society counsels us to “spread seed love.”

To select the best place to plant, look for an area with full to partial sun. Clear the ground and ensure water can infiltrate and drain from the soil.

Weeds are big competitors for water, sunlight and nutrients, which are all needed to ensure successful germination of wildflower seeds. If water runs off the ground and your soil is too compacted, remedy by working in 2 inches of compost into the top 2 to 3 inches of soil with a rake to increase water infiltration and decrease stress on plant roots. If you’re planting in a pot, select potting soil with plenty of perlite or lava rock to ensure good drainage.

Ideal containers are at least 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide; smaller containers dry out faster and need more water. Most wildflower seeds should germinate in about 14 days. Because some seeds require special germination conditions, check the seed packet before planting.

Hiking on Mount Diablo a few years ago, docents from the California Native Plant Society were surveying what was in bloom. They were so excited to find a rare red poppy in bloom; seeds had likely been dormant for years and germinated due to fire on a section of the mountain.

This dormancy is common in some California species, including Ceanothus, Arctostaphylos and many legume family members, like lupine. However, many California annuals germinate with no special pre-treatment in one to two weeks.

Go to marinmg.org and click on “Cal Native Plants” for tips on seed selection. After planting, remember to water consistently to achieve germination and keep watering until the seedlings are 6 to 8 inches tall. After that, short dry periods are better tolerated.

While many nurseries carry wildflower mixes, not all contain local native seeds. Check online for nearby sources; Larner Seeds is a good online source in Marin. The Theodore Payne Foundation and Harmony Farm sell online, too, and seeds can be found occasionally at farmers markets. Wildflower seeds are packaged and sold in quantities anywhere from one-fourth an ounce to 1 pound. To plant 1 square foot, you need about one-half an ounce; to make 10 wildflower seed balls, you need one-half teaspoon of seed.

A selection of four to five different types of seeds produces a more diverse plant habitat and a longer season of wildflower blooms. Casting wildflower seeds works but leaves seeds available to birds and small mammals. That’s the appeal of wildflower seed balls: Protect the seeds from predators and enhance germination with a nutrient soil mix.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Gather materials: soil, compost, dry red clay powder (available in art or spa supplies), seeds, water and paper plate.

2. Mix dry base materials: 3 tablespoons of soil, 1 tablespoon of compost, 1 tablespoon of powdered red clay.

3. Add one-half teaspoon of wildflower seeds and mix well with your fingers.

4. Add a little bit of water and work into the mix, striving to form a cookie dough-like mix.

5. Form 10 little balls about the size of a marble and set out to dry on foil until they become hard as rocks (about 24 hours). Once hard, the balls are ready to scatter when the rains come. Place on soil and keep evenly moist. Germination takes a couple of weeks, and bloom follows in spring and summer.

Native plants are a key component of sustainable, Earth-friendly gardens, and you have helped spread the seed love.

Sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension, the University of California Marin Master Gardeners provides science- and research-based information for Marin home gardeners. Email questions to helpdesk@marinmg.org. Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases. Please call 415-473-4910 to see when a master gardener will be at the office or drop off samples 24/7 in the sample box outside the office. To attend a gardening workshop or subscribe to Leaflet, a free quarterly e-newsletter, go to marinmg.ucanr.edu.