How to make a wild flower meadow3 June 2013
If you've got a patch of grass in the garden, the chances are it will make a beautiful wild flower meadow. The main thing is to let the grass grow for most of the year, although it'll need the occasional horticultural tweak or two.
A meadow cuts out a lot of mowing, is great for bees and other insects, and rather nice too look at, too. Here's how to do it:
Time your cut
Traditionally hay meadows can be cut as early as June or July, but in the garden leave your cut for as long as you can over the summer - late August is perfect. This will allow flowers to set seed and contribute to next year's meadow display.
Rake off the cuttings
This is very important. After cutting your meadow in late summer - you'll need a scythe or Strimmer - rake off the cut material. This ensures you're not fertilising the ground underneath with decaying plants: wild flowers prefer low nutrient soils.
Avoid lawn improvers or weedkillers
Both create conditions in which wild flowers are unlikely to prosper: firstly because they might fertilise your soil (see above); secondly because many wild plants are the "weeds" targeted by such products. And that's not to mention the potential harm to other wildlife, such as bees and butterflies.
Winter cut
Keeping the meadow short over winter helps weaken the grasses that compete with wild flowers. Stop cutting around the end of February to allow other meadow plants to germinate or re-emerge after winter.
Sow yellow rattle
Many meadow enthusiasts recommend sowing yellow rattle ("Rhinanthus major"). This is a pretty parasitic plant which weakens the grasses that compete with meadow flowers. Top tip: lift up a section of your meadow turf and sow the seeds underneath; this is supposed to be more effective than broadcasting them on the surface. For a directory of native wild flower seed suppliers, go to floralocale.org.
In the dock
If there is anything you don't like the look of growing in your meadow, such as dock, simply pull it up or chop it down. Even if unwanted plants return, constant harassment will weaken them, meaning they provide less competition for more interesting meadow species.
Walk ways
Cut a path through the middle of your meadow or around the sides. This demonstrates that your meadow is a deliberate feature you're proud of - and not a patch of ground you can't be bothered to maintain,
Help us cover Britain in wild flowers and gives bees a leg up in your area by buying a Bee Saver Kit
