How to make a wildflower meadow

There have been several discussions on this topic so I thought I would add my methods.A wildflower meadow or lawn can be a beautiful addition to any garden. No matter what the size of your garden it is possible to create a wildflower area.As well as being pretty to look at the flowers used provide an important habitat for many species of insects and small mammals which in turn contribute to the food chain.A wildflower meadow or lawn looks wonderful but they can be difficult to establish. Firstly you need to decide whether you are going to convert an existing piece a grass or start on bare earth.If you plan on using a fresh piece of ground to lay you wildflower area you need to prepare the ground by taking off a layer of top soil roughly 10cm deep. This is to reduse the soils fertility, wildflowers prefer low soil fertility.The next step for both bare earth and grass areas is to choose how you plan on introducing wildflowers. There are several choices as you can use:seedplug or pot grown plants (why not check out Linda Laxtons page on LJN)wildflower turfConverting a grass area can easily be done by overseeding although it would be best to airate the area by pushing your fork blades in a couple of centimeters and wiggling it round before sowing as more seed can come into contact with the soil this way.Plug or pot grown plants can be introduced by removing small areas of turf with a bulb planter and popping the plants into the hole. With this method try not to make the planting to uniform and group the varieties together in three's or five's, this will help to make it look more natural.The bare earth area can be seeded making sure you gently rake over to half burie the seed. Cover with netting to stop the birds helping themselves and water well n dry weather.Wildflower turf can be laid in a similar wa to lawn turf. It is grown on a moisture retentive biodegradable felt, most of these products contain over 20 different species of wildflower.After rolling out you can peg the turf down and then water thoroughly.With both areas and any method you must never fertilise the ground as this will encorage grass's which will strangle out the wildflowers.This year we started a new area in our garden and used very cheap lidle seeds, 24p a pack, these flowers are now opening and as well as looking beautiful are already attracting more insects.
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

Comments

  • About a month ago I got in from a busy days work and was fed up that the GSD has dug yet another hole in my lawn. I grabbed the spade and quickly filled the hole from one of the borders. I now have a cottage garden growing in the middle of my lawn. Quite a nice feature until I mowed it down.
This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Neil Ruddick replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"According to AI, certain groups (eg., those unable to use digital tools due to age, disability, or location) may apply for exemption from MTD.  It gives GOV.UK as the source of that information.
It certainly suits me to stick to paper.  I am…"
17 hours ago
Peel Projects updated their profile
yesterday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
Aimee Davey joins ICL at a key point as the business moves into a busy period of campaign and product activity across its Turf and Landscape portfolio, taking on the role of Marketing Communications Manager for the UK and Ireland.Aimee brings strong…
yesterday
Ian Harvey replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
""I like Nigel he's lived in the real world."
Yep- private school eduction, then his Dad (a city trader) gets Nigel a city trader job. His only ever job, before becoming an MEP.
Yep- that's the real world isn't it!
I wasn't suggesting that Reform…"
yesterday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"I'm with you on this. Just had a look at the betting odds for the next general election as it's not often the bookies get it wrong from the odds offered they predict a landslide victory for reform😃.
So we will have to be patient and put with what we…"
yesterday
Honey Badger replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"I'm hopping for asylum in America "
Tuesday
Honey Badger replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Anyone with half a brain knows that's common knowledge.
'You will own nothing and be happy'
Last general election i red the manifestos of tories, Labour and reform. The only one that was realistic and contained common sense was reforms.
Tories and…"
Tuesday
Honey Badger replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Labour will do anything to win votes.
Including burning our country to the ground just to prove a point."
Tuesday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Just setting off in my dinghy from Calais"
Tuesday
Ian Harvey replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"You do realise that it was the Conservative Party who introduced MTD in 2019 and then expanded it in law to include income tax self assessment in 2022. Nothing that Labour could do to stop it, even if they wanted to.
As for Nigel, if you are…"
Tuesday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Yes, I'm pissed off too, fed up of supporting the druggies, alcos and bone idle who have 6 kids with no intention of supporting themselves,Rachel in accounts has just made that more of a lifestyle choice. Hope Nigel will sort this broken country…"
Tuesday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Thats ok for you youngsters, who are capable of using this shit. What about the rest of us appriaching 70? When I was at school calculators were a novelty!  There are a lot in this trade who will just pack it in or go off grid, its more interference…"
Tuesday
Honey Badger replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"It's important as the 48% of working people to provide for the impoverished depending on the welfare state. 
If fat jayden with adhd doesn't get his macdonalds via delivero everyday he gets anxiety attacks.
His parents that have never worked still…"
Tuesday
Ian Harvey replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Most of the business software packages such as QB, Zero etc are fully MTD ready. Some of these, such as Zoho Books, Wave, QuickFile are free for small businesses, and Freeagent is free if you have certain bank accounts.
The MTD idea is to stop small…"
Tuesday
Peter sellers posted a discussion
Thought there might be some unaware of this. So briefly and I am not an accountant . As from 6th April 26 anyone who has income from self employment, rent from property etc or a combination that equates to a turnover of 50k or more (not profit) will…
Tuesday
Neil Darby replied to Neil Darby's discussion Dirty subject.
"it thats what you are happy doing up to you. 8 turds last week & another 3 this. The client is been notified that I quit. .Edit, excuses excuses.please come back."
Monday
More…

Making tax digital

Thought there might be some unaware of this. So briefly and I am not an accountant . As from 6th April 26 anyone who has income from self employment, rent from property etc or a combination that equates to a turnover of 50k or more (not profit) will…

Read more…
12 Replies · Reply by Neil Ruddick 17 hours ago
Views: 225