8.2 Wildflower meadows

Meadows are the homes of many fascinating bird, butterfly, insect, mammal, and plant species. They can be created on derelict, grassy and weed-ridden areas on you site, being careful to survey the area first so as not to destroy anything important.

Meadow creation

It is essential to have low soil fertility for the success of your meadow. If the soil is too fertile, meadow species will be out-competed by more vigorous species such as dock, thistle and course grasses. If you are planting on fertile soil then weeds must be controlled. It may be helpful to remove the top layer of turf on fertile soils before planting. Do not disturb the soil too much after this, as it will encourage the germination of weed species. Simply scratch the surface with a rake or chain, spread your seed and compact the soil with a roller.

Ideally, meadow creation projects should only use seed native to Britain as planting non-native species can have disastrous consequences (you only have to look at the amount of rhododendron choking our native woodland to see this). Select a wildlflower mix with common species that are ecologically suited to your site and that will establish easily. Be sure to use species, which are normally found in your area and are already part of its eco-system and food web. A good source of local seed is hay cut from another local meadow that contains a wealth of seed. Spreading this over the prepared soil should disperse the seed onto the ground for germination. Wildflower seeds should be sown in Autumn as the cold, winter months help many species to germinate.

Meadow wildflowers can also be grown in pots and planted in the ground as young plants. And you can sow them in trays just as you would with garden plant seeds. Yoghurt cartons with holes in the bottom and filled with soil make good seed beds. This method is ideal for school classes as it enables the pupils to monitor each stage of a plant’s development. This also has the added advantage that it does not cost any money and lets children see how containers can be recycled to the benefit of plant life, wildlife, and the environment.

The best time to plant bulbs is also autumn. Some species can, however, be planted in spring. Be guided by your seed salesman or the instructions on the packet.

Meadow wildflowers can also be grown in pots and planted in the ground as young plants. And you can sow them in trays just as you would with garden plant seeds. Yoghurt cartons with holes in the bottom and filled with soil make good seed beds. This method is ideal for school classes as it enables the pupils to monitor each stage of a plant’s development. This also has the added advantage that it does not cost any money and lets children see how containers can be recycled to the benefit of plant life, wildlife, and the environment.

The best time to plant bulbs is also autumn. Some species can, however, be planted in spring. Be guided by your seed salesman or the instructions on the packet.

For more information on how to create meadowland contact;

After the seeds germinate and the grass is about 10 centimetres tall, you should mow your meadow. This stimulates growth and helps to eliminate unwanted invasive species such as chickweed and knotgrass. Unchecked, they could soon take over your meadow and eliminate most other plants.

You should cut the meadow approximately every two months in the first year as this encourages a good root system. Remove mown material, otherwise the rotting material will block out light and increase soil fertility. If your meadow mix contains annual species, you must wait until the meadow has flowered and produced seed for the following year before cutting.

Control brambles, thistles, and docks, which will take over your meadow completely if left unattended. Do not be over-enthusiastic, however. Remember that brambles can provide nesting places for whitethroats, lesser whitethroats, and garden warblers, as well as more common birds such as wrens and tree sparrows. Birds of the thrush family and mammals such as foxes eagerly devour their fruits.

Your mowing regime will depend on which flower species you wish to encourage. A good idea is to designate different areas for springtime and summertime flowering species so you can stagger when they are cut. So for springtime flowers you would not cut the grass until around July, to enable the plants to set seed. You could then leave your meadow uncut until around September. To encourage summer flowers, you would mow the meadow around the month of May to provide maximum light and clarity. You would then give the grass a final cut in September.

As far as possible, leave meadow verges uncut to provide food for insects and nesting and feeding places for birds. Cutting can be done by hand scythes, sickles, lawn mowers, rotary mowers, or strimmers. If your meadow is next to a formal, surfaced public footpath, or is in the corner of the park next to closely mown amenity grass areas, you should be very careful to make sure the edge of your meadow is kept neat, otherwise people will object to it being there.