CREATING MEADOWS AND GRASSLANDS

Meadows are generally taken to be grasslands that are cut for hay in mid summer and grazed on and off during the autumn and winter.  Pastures are grasslands that are grazed on and off throughout the year, but are not cut for hay.  Rough grasslands are mostly unmanaged communities.  They have little agricultural value but are good for wildlife and increasingly are a part of our landscape.  The full range of grassland community types are described in detail in Rodwell’s “Natural Vegetation Classification”.

Before proceeding with a project it is important to assess if the existing vegetation has any value.  A regularly mown area may, if allowed to grow, surprise, and many old grasslands have been sprayed for broad leaved plants but retain the native grasses.

SOWING ONTO PREPARED SOIL

  Sowing onto prepared soil is the most common and most successful method for establishing a mixture.  If there is a choice of sites, most wild species will do better on the thinner soils.  Poorer soils will almost always produce more varied and more attractive vegetation, and will be easier to manage.  Avoid over-fertile soils or areas infested with Nettles, Docks or Thistles, or ground that may be contaminated with residual herbicides.

  Before preparing a seed bed the existing weed cover should be destroyed by repeated cultivation or spray with glyphosate.  Then plough or rotovate the soil, and rake, harrow or roll to produce a medium fine, firm tilth.  Do not apply fertilizer at any stage.

  Select the meadow mixture or species best suited to the prevailing soil type and conditions: a range of mixtures are available.  For example, EM6 is suitable for most lime rich soils.  Sow at 4g per square metre.  This rate is calculated to allow space for each species to establish and to produce good ground cover.  However, the seeding rate may be increased slightly if the site conditions are harsh, or reduced slightly if conditions are favourable.  Establishing a meadow mixture can be made easier by over-sowing with a nurse cover of cornfield annuals, giving a combined seeding rate of 6g per square metre.

  Sow meadow mixtures in the autumn, winter or spring, selecting a time when the soil is moist and can be worked.  Seeding may be by hand broadcasting, seed fiddle, spinner, hydraseeding or grass seed drill.  To achieve an even sowing, bulk with an inert carrier such as sand and sow at half rate in two directions. Sow on the surface and do not rake or harrow in.  One or two passes with a Cambridge (ribbed) roll will firm and level the surface and create good seed soil contact.

  Wild seeds can be reluctant to germinate, usually requiring light and sometimes vernalisation or scarification to break dormancy.  In practice these conditions are usually met when the seed is sown in the open and exposed to winter conditions.

SOWING INTO EXISTING GRASS

  Meadow wild flowers and grasses can be successfully sown into existing species poor grassland if the conditions are favourable.  If sowing flowers alone, select a suitable 100% wild flower mixture (e.g. EM4(F)) and sow at up to 1.5g per square metre.  Complete meadow mixtures should be sown at up to 4g per square metre.

  The most suitable sites will be of low to medium fertility and free of perennial weeds and vigorous grasses.  Sow in the autumn or winter to allow the seed to establish before the grass begins to grow in the following year.

  Prepare for sowing by cutting the grass very short or grazing very hard and open up sites for germination by harrowing, raking or lightly discing, aiming to create around 50% bare soil.  Broadcast the seed on the surface and roll to firm back the soil.

The addition of Yellow Rattle at around 1g per square metre will often help other flower species to establish. Best results are obtained from an autumn sowing.

Emorsgate Wild Seeds
Wild Flower Seed &
Wild Grass Seed
Growers & Suppliers

Regrettably we only
provide seed to
the UK market.