Ranunculus occidentalis, Western Buttercup seed
Perennial with sky-blue flowers. Fibrous roots hold soil and flowers support pollinators. Covers 5 sq ft.
From Northwest Meadowscape's website:
Western buttercup virtually glows in otherwise drizzly grey spring landscapes, adding constellations of bright yellow in grassy green prairies, meadows, and lawns. With a long bloom time (from early spring through early summer), they overlap and contrast beautifully with the flowers of sea blush and camas (both of which this plant commonly occurs with in the wild). With low basal leaves, the foliage remains discrete in meadows, allowing the brilliant flowers to really standout above a grassy canopy.
In natural areas, Western buttercup occurs in open damp meadows and partially shaded forest understories. It needs at least partial sun to thrive, but adapts excellently to any moist area: rain gardens, vernal pools, damp meadows, bioswales, and rainwater detention basins.
While the foliage and flowers are toxic, native people reportedly used the non-toxic seeds to make pinole, a mix of seeds and spices -- considered to be a paleo "superfood," added to drinks, or tortillas.
How to Use Your Cover Crop & Native Seed Packets
Each seed packet is measured to cover 25 sq ft or 100 sq ft, depending on the size you chose.
Sowing Instructions
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When to sow: Fall is ideal in Portland. The soil is still warm for germination, and fall rains keep seedlings watered. Some seeds (like meadowfoam or clovers) can also be spring-sown.
How to sow:
- Rake the soil lightly to create good seed-to-soil contact.
- Scatter the contents of the packet evenly over the area (don’t worry about perfect spacing).
- Gently press or rake seeds in so they make contact with the soil. Do not bury deeply — most native and cover crop seeds need light to germinate.
- Water: Fall rains usually do the job, but water lightly if the weather turns dry.
What to Expect
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Traditional Cover Crops (rye, peas, fava, daikon, crimson clover, buckwheat, mustard): Grow quickly, protect soil, and build fertility. In spring, chop them down or mow before they set seed. Some (like rye) can also be crimped into a mulch.
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Living Mulches (red fescue, dwarf yarrow, creeping thyme, low clovers): These stay low and provide long-term weed suppression and ground cover. Shear lightly as needed, but they don’t require replanting every year.
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Pollinator Wildflowers (Clarkia, poppy, gilia, flax, meadowfoam, coneflower, blanketflower): Not classic cover crops, but they add beauty and attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Many reseed naturally.
Spring & Summer Management
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Chop-and-drop: Cut plants at the base and leave them as mulch (peas, fava, clovers).
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Mow: Use on ryegrass or cereals to turn them into quick mulch.
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Crimp: Flatten tall rye or grains at flowering to create a long-lasting weed barrier.
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Shear perennials: Yarrow, thyme, and sedges can be trimmed back after bloom.
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Self-seeders: Flowers like poppy, clarkia, and meadowfoam will often reseed themselves. Leave some seed heads if you want them back next year.
Quick Tips
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Cover crops = soil builders.
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Living mulches = weed suppressors.
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Wildflowers = pollinator magnets.
Tulle or row cover can protect young seedlings from birds and slugs until established.
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