Preparing a Wildflower Meadow

A wildflower meadow is an area of permanent grass where wildflowers grow, and it provides a feeding and nesting ground for insects, birds and other pollinators!

It is best to sow wildflower meadows during March and April or in September depending on the soil conditions. For example, autumn-sown seeds normally perform better in lighter soils, although some won’t appear until the following spring.

Choosing an area

Lawns and old flower borders both make ideal sites for a wildflower meadow. Try and find somewhere away from the shade that will receive plenty of sunlight.

If you have used fertiliser in the area the soil may be too rich for a wildflower meadow. You can reduce the soil fertility by removing the top 3-6 inches of the topsoil using a spade.

If you’d prefer not to strip your soil, mustard plants are notorious for eating soil nutrients. Plant these before preparing your wildflower meadow and they will lower the soil fertility of your site.

Get rid of weeds

Ideally you will want a really fine soil for seed sowing, as you would with a lawn. An effective way to get rid of weeds is by laying a black plastic cover over it which heats up the soil and speeds up the breakdown of weeds. This means that any weeds already in the soil will germinate and die.  

Choose Your Wildflower Seed

Annual Mixes- Annual seed mixes are comprised of annual species that complete their life cycle within one year. Annual mixes are generally more colourful and eye-catching than perennials, but have to be re-planted every year.

Perennial Mixes- Perennial seed mixes are comprised of plants that flower each year when properly managed, and should not need re-sowing. However, perennial meadows can take longer to establish and aren’t as eye catching or as colourful as annuals.

Sowing

Ideally use approximately five grams of seed per square meter of meadow. Simply scatter the seed as you walk along the ground, getting a nice even spread. No need to rake, just walk the seeds into the ground.

How To Sow Wildflower Seeds

Maintenance

Try and cut the growth and remove all dead spent material in midsummer. Try not to mow your meadow from the end of April to late July, August or even early September.

Mow your meadow a couple of times during the autumn and possibly once in early spring if necessary. Weed your meadow every once in a while, to remove nettles, dock leaves and thistles.

Your wildflower meadow should be a hive of pollinator activity in no time and become the life of your garden!

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