Converting an existing grassy area into a meadow

Wildflowers growing up from seed

	Pot grown wildflowers

If you want to turn a grassy area into a wildflower meadow you need to know what is already growing there. Let it grow during the summer to see what turns up. The results can be spectacular; even rare orchids have been known to appear. You will often find that only a few flowers appear, such as buttercups or daisies. So you may have to introduce some yourself. This can be through 'over-seeding', but is best done by planting.

Scattering wildflower seed over your grassy area will not be successful. You will have to make gaps to give the flowers chance to grow. The best way to do this is to remove whole squares of turf and topsoil (30cm x 30cm) and seed with one or two carefully chosen types of wildflower in the autumn.

Wildflowers can be introduced into grassy areas as pot grown plants. Local stock can often be bought from nurseries or grown from seed. Plant them in groups into the turf. Plant in autumn to allow the roots to become established before competition from other plants builds up in the spring. To help reduce this, spread a mulch around your new plantings or replace the turf upside down. You must care for your meadow – see "Looking after a Wildflower Meadow".

Creating a wildflower meadow from scratch Preparing the ground

Preparing the ground

This is the ideal way of creating a wildflower meadow. Good ground preparation is essential for success. The secret is a low fertility soil. A fertile soil will just cause vigorous growth of a few grasses and 'weeds'. You can reduce fertility by stripping off the top 5-10cm or so of topsoil. Then lightly rake and roll the soil to produce a seed bed.

Sowing the seed

The best time to sow your wildflower seed is in early autumn. You can sow in April, but many seeds need the cold winter months to break their in-built dormancy. They will therefore not germinate in their first year from a spring sowing.

For best results:

Order specific quantities of the different types of seeds you have chosen. Sow them in patches into an area which has been lightly seeded with a natural grass mix.
The sowing rate should be very low to avoid overcrowding.
1.0 to 1.5g of grass mix per square metre is best.
To get an even spread of seed mix it with sand or sawdust.
Immediately after sowing, rake the surface lightly and firm with a small roller.

Aftercare

Take care to look after your new meadow.

When the seeds have germinated and the grasses reach a height of about 10cm, the meadow should be cut. This will knock back unwanted 'weeds' such as groundsel and chickweed. Any thistles and docks should be pulled up.
Before cutting, you can lightly roll the meadow to firm any plants into the soil.
During the first year try to cut your meadow every 6-8-weeks. Always remove the cuttings to prevent a build up of dead plant material. This will help the meadow plants to become established.
In following years, adopt a twice a year mowing pattern.

Choosing the right species

Poor soils are best


Rich soils encourage vigorous grasses

The soil will determine whether your meadow is going to be successful and the types of wildflower seed needed. Some soils are naturally too rich to bother with.

Don't despair if the soil is too fertile, you could create a cornfield flower patch instead. Simply sow a mixture of cornfield annuals (such as poppies, cornflowers, corncockles and corn marigolds) over bare soil for a colourful display. After the flowers have set seed, rake over the soil so that there is open ground for them to grow in next year.

Remember ...

When seeding an area with grass, do not use rye-grass or other vigorous types. A mixture of bent and fescue grasses often works best. You may need advice to work out exactly what you need.

When choosing the wildflowers for your meadow, try to copy what would normally grow in your area.

There are a growing number of suppliers specialising in wildflowers, from which you can choose your mix.