Native British Wildflowers by mail order

WILDFLOWER MEADOW CREATION

Planning
Before attempting to create a large area of flower rich grassland, there are a number of factors which should be given due consideration. From the outset it should be fully understood that wildflower meadows do require management. This will include several cuts during the first year to a height of around 3.5 to 4 inches followed by further cutting, albeit less frequently in subsequent years as the competition from weeds and grasses is gradually reduced. It is also important to realise that cuttings will need to be removed from the site following cutting.

The next step to consider is the suitability of the site itself. The two crucial factors are soil fertility and soil type.

Soil fertility is best predicted by the past use of the site. If the site has been under intensive farming it is likely that the soil fertility will be too high due to past applications of fertiliser. In which case it may be necessary to deep plough the site bringing the infertile lower levels of soil to the surface and burying the topsoil.

An alternative method, more suitable if it is also necessary to remove the existing vegetation from the site, is to strip the topsoil. The cost of which it may be possible to offset by selling afterwards.

The type of Meadow mixture required will depend upon the soil type. Firstly, it will be necessary to measure the acidity of the soil. This can easily be measured with a small pH indicator kit available from most garden centres.

Finally, an assessment should be made of the basic soil type. The main types being:

Loam neutral
Sands & Peats - acid
Clay - neutral
Chalk & Limestone - Alkaline

With this information, choose the appropriate mixture. If uncertain of the soil type and for reduced cost, use our General purpose or Basic mixtures . For very wet lowland sites prone to winter flooding use our Wet Soil mixture.

If you are attempting to replicate semi natural grasslands, then choose special mixtures MMl4 or MM 15 (contact us for details) which have both been harvested from existing wildflower meadows.

Site Preparation
It is necessary to create a level firm weed free seedbed. To remove perennial weeds, the site can be treated with a non-residual herbicide several weeks before sowing and reploughed or dug over several times to deal with annual weeds. Sand or fine sawdust can be added to the seed to ensure even coverage. Seed can be sown in spring or autumn at a rate of 12 kg per acre.

Cornfield Annuals
Cornfield annuals can also he sown as a nurse crop to protect the slower growing annuals during the early stages of establishment. Cornfield annuals also provide a bright array of colour during the first year and then die away. Select mixtures of 100% wildflower seed (contact us for details) and sow at 1 kg per acre. Sow along with perennial mixture as described above.

Direct Planting of Wildflower
Wildflowers can also be introduced as plant plugs into the meadow. Choose from our Individual Plant Plug range. It is advisable to create bare areas around the spot where the plug is to be introduced to reduce initial competition. Plant 4 to 5 plugs per square metre.

Aftercare
During the first year, cut regularly throughout the season. During the second and subsequent seasons, cut between March and early May. Cease cutting in june to allow flowering and resume cutting/grazing between July and October. The amount of cutting may be reduced as competition from weeds nad grasses becomes less. Never cut below a height of 3 inches and always remove all cuttings.

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