Keeping your wildflower meadow in top condition will require some maintenance throughout the year, although compared to a lawn or border, this is incredibly minimal. So what are the important maintenance tasks for a wildflower meadow? And what kind of difference can these make?
What are the important maintenance tasks for a wildflower meadow?
Wildflower meadows are a low maintenance option for any property but they still will require some maintenance at different parts of the year. These maintenance tasks will include:
- Adding seeds and species to your wildflower meadow
- Watering during dry spells
- Maintenance cut in summer
- Maintenance cut in autumn
Adding seeds and species to your wildflower meadow
During the late spring, from April to May, you should be able to start planning any seeds or species replacements that will be needed for a full and flourishing wildflower meadow. If there are bald patches or bare patches you should be aware that nature will fill in these gaps, but they are more likely to be weeds rather than wildflowers. As a result, you should be thinking about replenishing the wildflower meadow with additional seeds.
June is the perfect month for collecting seeds from your wildflowers. As such, you should be prepared to identify the seeds to collect and sow. While harvesting seed from plants that are already established, won’t necessarily guarantee success, it is highly likely to work in other areas of your wildflower meadow, due to the conditions and environment being already correct.
Watering during dry spells
A wildflower meadow typically does not need watering at all, especially when it is well established. This is because wildflowers are designed to thrive in lower quality soils and with little nourishment. As a result, watering and feeding the wildflower meadow can actually do more harm than good as this can alter the soil quality. Having said that, if your wildflower meadow is new and we experience prolonged dry weather, regular light watering can help to keep the ground moist until germination. At which point it is better to wait for the rain to return.
Cutting a wildflower meadow in the summer
Cutting a wildflower meadow is something that needs to take place either in the summer or the autumn, depending on the weather and the wildflower growth.
For rapidly growing meadows that experienced too much water during the establishment phase, a cut in the early to mid summer can be a good option. This will keep the height of the flowers down, although your meadow may be looking at its best, so you may be reluctant to carry this out. If you do opt for an early summer cut it’s important that the cut flowers are cleared away to prevent the over nourishment of the soil.
For browning vegetation a late summer cut can be a good option. This can also help to support late blooming flowers that make up your wildflower meadow, while preparing your meadow for the autumn.
Cutting a wildflower meadow in the autumn
Finally, you will always need to do a final maintenance cut for the year in the autumn, even if you have cut in the summer. This should be after the wildflowers have shed their seed. Cutting a wildflower meadow in the autumn is essential for the health of the meadow, as it prevents the growing layer from being covered, and prevents the nutrient level of soil from changing too drastically. This prepares your wildflower meadow for winter and ensures successful new growth in the spring.
For professional grounds and garden maintenance, or for high quality wildflower turf or meadow mixes get in touch with the professionals today here at Green Scenery.