Creating a wildflower meadow

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

[@-Atmos1]

Yellow Rattle is a good plant to add as it makes the grass less competitive with other native species .

[@JTvlogs984]

It's 2020 and I've got a decent size one growing and plenty of bees buzzing around !! Can't wait to see them grow over the week's

[@steve99101]

what is the size you growing and what kind of flowers for all the bee buzz?

[@Calastein]

very helpful thank you xxx

[@annadavis6361]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@T_B1]

I'm still unsure about the first season cutting sounds quite brutal on freshly germinated plants. I am about to sow a 80/20 grass/perennial wildflower mix any advice?.

[@T_B1]

Also this is only a small 6x6 m patch garden area

[@LincolnshireWildlifeTrust]

Hi there, thanks for the comment! Yes it does seem brutal to cut a meadow early and repeatedly through its first season, but provided you allow the plants to establish a few adult leaves and cut and collect at a height of around 6-8cm, this ‘topping’ will prevent most annuals from reproducing and confer an advantage to the perennial plants which can regrow. Remember to collect or rake off cuttings to prevent any smothering of regrowth. Most investment of energy from perennials in the first year is into their roots and lower shoots. By contrast, annuals devote all their energy to producing seeds. Annuals have evolved to be opportunists which lie dormant as seed in soil until a gap in vegetation arises. Then while competition is diminished, they germinate and produce seed that adds to the seed bank - waiting for the next opportunity. By topping an establishing herbaceous perennial meadow sowing in its first season once it has germinated and begun to establish, you are helping the sward to close up the small gaps where weeds can grow and accelerating the process of outcompeting the weedy species. Topping perennials is no different from many of the effects of wild grazing. They will come back more strongly in the second year. Avoid soft ground conditions however where heavy machinery or trampling may cause seedling mortality. Best of luck with your 80/20 mix! Now that it is past mid-January, have you started to stratify your seed yet? Keep slightly damp between -4 and +4C for a couple of months in a fridge to help to break seed dormancy ahead of a spring sowing.

[@T_B1]

@@LincolnshireWildlifeTrust wow! Thank you for the speedy reply. A couple more questions (I am new to this!) When should you start topping the new growth from the first season. Also I am only sowing a small patch roughly 5x5 metres, so do same rules apply. Also you mentioned putting the seeds in a fridge... what does that involve. Lastly, I read a few things that I should sow in spring instead of autumn because my soil is heavy clay. Should I wait for autumn or sow in March.

[@T_B1]

I will probably only use some garden shears when topping and slowly make my way through the patch over a few days.no worries for heavy machinery.

[@T_B1]

@@LincolnshireWildlifeTrust Another question! So sorry. The mix I purchased contains many perennials but there are 3 annuals... Black meddick, poppy and yellow rattle. Would cutting affect these species.

[@leslyeglover2761]

You are compacting the soil with the tractor and roller. Note: giant hogweed is toxic.

[@bastogne315]

Needs work but an A for effort