Mini Meadow Lawn Progress-2019

madpenguin

Following on from showing last years progress on my Mini Meadow Lawn here:-https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1022791/mini-meadow-lawn-progress-2018
I have now started recording its progress during 2019.
Lots seems to have grown over the last few weeks as it has been fairly mild down here,grass still growing and a few of the bulbs I planted are just starting to poke through.
A couple of years ago I would have had 50 fits if my lawn had looked like this but now I just find it fascinating to see the variety of different plants,some planted by me and others arriving of their own accord.I plan on keeping a record of all the plant species that are in the lawn.
JANUARY 18th 2019

Lizzie27

An interesting project - thanks for the photos. I expect you might find that one species comes to dominate the lawn. I'm doing something similar on a much smaller scale on a steep rough bank behind our bench - just waiting (hopefully) for the crocuses to come through.

madpenguin

Yes,I am keeping an eye on anything that may dominate and can dig anything out if need be,but want to see what happens left on its own although I will still cut it at intervals,sometimes with a mower but also just with hand shears.
Just find it all fascinating!

AndyDean

Interesting project! I also enjoy seeing what shows up of its own accord, great fun.

One thought - what do you mean by intervals? I thought a meadow was cut once per year, late summer, otherwise it won't flower?

madpenguin

I am treating it a bit like there would be animals etc grazing on it,so not a 'Flower Meadow' as such but a grazed meadow.By intervals I really mean when I think it needs it!
I may cut just a small area as some of the plants are low growing or mow on a high setting to keep it tidy.
I last mowed in December (I think) so the grass will be short enough to show off the bulbs later in the Spring.
It is all a bit of an experiment so not really sure what I will be doing or when,depends on the weather as well,last years hot spell took its toll but I did not water at all.
Will let the lawn 'talk' to me!!!!!!

madpenguin

.....and the first bulb to flower this year in the lawn is Crocus sieberi 'Firefly'.
Got a bit squashed in the snow.
Planted 15 but can only see the one 
Snowdrops also just beginning to show through.

February 3rd 2019

Rubytoo

Any more Crocus come up yet?
What you were saying about maybe one or two things taking over. Someone up the road had a lovely covering of orange plants with a very flat rosette of leaves I think it was Hawkbit.  Just found it, I think/hope its is right. Pilosella aurantiaca.
I don't know if it was deliberate but the whole lawn was pretty much covered with little else apart from a bit of grass in between. I read it could be invasive, it must like clay as that is what we are on. It did look really nice though

madpenguin

I do have Pilosella aurantiaca (Fox-and-cubs) but in the garden not as yet in the lawn.
Shall be keeping an eye on it because it can be a thug (successful is another word for it!) but can forgive it somewhat as it is such a pretty flower!

madpenguin

The rest of the Crocus sieberi 'Firefly' have decided to show themselves!
Also some other crocus and snowdrops round the cherry tree and a winter aconite that I only planted a week ago.

February 11th

Lizzie27

Progress indeed MP! Lovely to see the bulbs coming through. I've got 2 or 3 of the ordinary lilac crocus which supposedly seeds itself like mad - not yet, it hasn't! 

madpenguin

The 'Firefly' crocus came fully out in a blaze of sunshine this morning.
Whole lawn looking good and the cherry is now in blossom!

February 14th