wildflower meadow

SarahTho

I have a 2m/15m wild flower meadow growing but want to know what to do with it over winter. The plants are all perrenials and hardy perrenials. Thanks

Alina W

Nothing. You will need to strim it when the plants have seeded, around about August/September, and gather much of the cut material after giving it a good shake to release the seeds. This is useful in the first couple of years to allow air to the young plants and stop them being squashed by rotting vegitation. Also remove any plants that you don't want at this time. Other than that, though, you can leave the area to its own devices.

Palaisglide

As a lad we had hay making which did all the things Alina says, it scattered the seed as it was left to dry then raked up and put on the wain to stack for a nice healthy winter feed for the cattle.
You could in Autumn cut it with the blades right up, rake it up and either add to compost or green waste, this will scatter the seed if dry enough, it cleans up the meadow lets air and light in so it gets a good start in spring.
If you strim it then leave about four inches of stalk but always rake up the loose grass so as not to leave a mat.
Well done on trying to help wildlife, you may have to add some wild flowers by growing seed in pots and planting out in the meadow in spring, they will gradually spread if not over powered by bigger plants.

Frank.