This time of year we’re working hard in our gardens and imagining the wonderful show to come. But there is one show that’s already in bloom and I encourage you to take some time to enjoy it. Wherever you live you can find some spring wildflowers in bloom. Try these 6 tips for enjoying spring  wildflowers.

You might need to take a drive to get to an open area where you can find wildflowers blooming. But it is worth the trip to view nature in all it’s spring glory. What types of wildflowers you find will depend on where you live. Getting out and exploring is time well spent. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your trip.

6 Tips For Enjoying Spring Wildflowers…

Plan Your Route

Before you head out, do a little research on wildflower locations and best weeks. Check with your local Master Gardener Program, Hiking Clubs and Nature Conservancy Programs to find out the optimal weekends and places for viewing wildflowers. These programs will often post where to hike and best times on their websites or in the local paper. You can also check out Only In Your State for places to hike or find wildflowers. Just enter your state and search for wildflowers.

If you are not able to go for a hike, then look for back road areas where you can drive through wildflower locations. Be sure to pull off the road for best viewing and photo taking.

What To Take With You

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Here are a few helpful things to take with you when you head out to look for wildflowers.

• You will definitely want to take your camera when you go wildflower viewing.
• If you like to draw, than take a pen and paper.
• Good hiking shoes are a must.
• Don’t forget to take sunscreen to protect your skin.
• Pack a lunch and be sure to bring plenty of water.
• You might also want to bring a wildflower identification book to help identify the individual flowers.
• A good pair of binoculars can be helpful.

Rules To Remember

Here are a few things to remember when you go wildflower viewing:

1. Be sure not to trespass on Private Property. It’s best to find open lands such as State and National Forests or “Feel Free to Hunt” areas. That way you won’t have to deal with an angry landowner.
2. Stay on designated hiking trails. Do not go off the paths and tromp through wildflower fields. Many spring wildflowers are extremely delicate and can be easily damaged.
3. Don’t pick the flowers. You want to make sure that there are plenty of flowers for others to enjoy. Unless the flowers are growing on your private property, you want to leave flowers for others to view. And many of these flowers produce seeds that will help continue to spread their beauty.
4. Be sure to clean up any messes you make. Leaving trash behind is not good for the environment or for viewers coming after you.
5. Don’t forget when you get home to check yourself for any pesky ticks. Spring is their most active time so follow these suggestions to reduce your risk.
6. Before you bring your dogs, make sure that the hiking area allows pets.

Look For All The Flowers

You might be looking at the stately lupines and miss the small violas. Be sure to look for the large and small wildflowers when on your hike. Those tiny, delicate flowers are just as beautiful when you take the time to notice them.

Be Alert To Your Surroundings

Be sure that you pay attention to other wildlife both good and bad while out hiking. You might get lucky enough to see some deer bounding away or catch an eagle soaring above. You might see a herd of elk or a coyote off in the distance. These are all good possibilities when out enjoying the spring show. But also be aware of creatures closer to you. If you are hiking in a dry climate you might come across a rattlesnake. In alpine areas you might cross paths with a bear. Just know what the possibilities are and be alert so you can take precautions.

Wildflower Creations

Use your phone camera or a regular camera to snap pictures of the flowers that you find. Then you can use your pictures to get creative when you get back home. Here are a few things to make with the photos you take.

• Frame your images and hang on the wall for instant floral enjoyment
• Use an image or two to make your own note cards
• Decoupage a floral image to a plate or glassware
• Create a wildflower photo book to remind yourself of your spring outing
• Transfer your favorite floral image to fabric to make a spring pillow
• Create invitations from your photos to use for your next spring get-together

Wildflower viewing is an enjoyable spring activity. You get outdoors in the fresh air. You’ll get a little exercise. And you see the beauty of nature all around. You can also chronicle your spring findings with photos and drawings. I keep a wildflower journal to show what flowers are blooming during each month. Every once in a while I get to add a newly discovered flower to the list. After more than 10 years of wildflower watching it’s exciting to discover a new flower. This year we discovered Tall Bluebells not far from our cabin.

Wildflowers come and go so quickly in the spring but the enjoyment you can get from their fleeting beauty can tide you over as you wait for your own garden show to burst out. So take a day or a weekend and go wildflower viewing. Pack a picnic lunch. Grab your camera and head out to find the spring show in full bloom. Enjoying spring wildflowers is a fun activity to start the gardening season.