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To encourage wildflowers in a meadow, the use of traditional and sympathetic
management techniques is always recommended in the first
instance and over time can produce some impressive
results. However in certain cases, for example isolated
grasslands, where no natural seed source exists nearby
to colonise the site it may be beneficial to use other
techniques such as introducing wildflower seed of local
provenance.
Enhancing existing grassland
This is a
long term process dependent on factors such as low soil
fertility, an absence of weeds and an open sward with
some bare ground. Following the removal of any weeds and
harrowing or raking to remove dead grass material and
expose areas of bare soil, wildflower seed is broadcast
over the site.
Creating a new wildflower meadow
Creating a new meadow is not a substitute for conserving
existing habitats and before work starts a survey should
be performed to establish existing wildlife value.
Sowing onto prepared ground is the most common way for
creating a new meadow. Any existing weed cover should be
removed by repeated cultivation or use of herbicides.
The soil then needs to be ploughed or rotovated and
raked or harrowed to produce a fine, firm seed bed prior
to broadcasting the wildflower seed.
Ground preparation
is key to success in both methods and it is important
that a long term management strategy is in place. It
takes time for a meadow to establish; instant results
should not be expected!
Locally harvested seed
It is crucial that projects use local wildflower seed, to
preserve local genetic diversity and also increase the chances of successfully
establishing wildflowers. We have collected seed from local wildflower
meadows including GWT’s Pentwyn Farm, New Grove Meadows
and Springdale Farm Reserves using a Seed Harvester bought in partnership with
Monmouthshire Meadows Group
and the Making Meadows Project 2005.
This project
obtained funding from the AONB Sustainable Development
Fund addressing the need for local provenance wildflower seed to help with the
creation of wildflower meadows. Trials were carried out in 2005 to find the best way to
prepare the ground and distribute wildflower seed. This
included an area at Trellech Primary School. It will be
exciting to find out what wildflowers appear!
If you have an area of species-poor grassland that you
would like to see full of wildflowers please contact us
for more information. We can also supply suitable seed. |
