The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Wildlife => Topic started by: Bodger on June 20, 2013, 03:37:49 pm

Title: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: Bodger on June 20, 2013, 03:37:49 pm

I've just had a new book delivered and I can't wait to get stuck into it. I think its going to get a lot of use from it. Its called 'Making Wildflower Meadows' by Pam Lewis. After a quick skim through it this afternoon, I think it would be well worth getting by folks with an interest in this sort of thing.

Title: Re: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: HesterF on June 21, 2013, 11:23:43 pm

I've got it - great read but still far from putting it in to practice not least because my husband gets stressed when it gets too long for our tractor to cope with.

H

Title: Re: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: Bodger on June 22, 2013, 07:23:00 am

Hi Hester. After watching the Sarah Raven programmes a few years ago, we sent off for some wild seeds and as a result, this year we've been able to plant out Ragged Robins and White Campions. Its been well worth doing and definately gives you a feeling of having achieved something. The next species on our target is Lady Smock. :fc:

Title: Re: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: FiB on June 22, 2013, 11:28:49 am

Thanks Id be interested in hearing more - will have a look how much the book is.  We currently harrow and overseeed after the pigs have been on an area with permenant pasture haymeadow mix - is there a mix that is recommended that has high wildfower and is nice for hay cut?

Title: Re: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: Bodger on June 22, 2013, 08:43:03 pm

This is the book that i've been using. http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=john+stevens&bt.x=87&bt.y=21&sts=t&tn=wild+flower+gardening (http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=john+stevens&bt.x=87&bt.y=21&sts=t&tn=wild+flower+gardening) Its really good, full of information and as you can see, its also dirt cheap.

Title: Re: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: Victorian Farmer on October 01, 2013, 06:39:29 pm

I did watch the tv iv got a place sorted iv naw going to boldersdale in the dales and get 2 sacks of seed turf on top and seed underneath and see haw it goes .iv put new soil on top it will be 1 mile square when done .Then put the 12  hives there.

Title: Re: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: Hamish Crofter on March 01, 2014, 11:05:31 am

Did you get around to reading this book? If so is it worth buying as I'm looking to create a wildflower area on the croft.....

Title: Re: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: Rosemary on March 01, 2014, 01:41:40 pm

Try Scotia Seeds for help and advice plus seeds and scythes

http://www.scotiaseeds.co.uk/index.php (http://www.scotiaseeds.co.uk/index.php)

Title: Re: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on June 09, 2014, 10:45:54 am

I've been wanting to make a wildflower field, however I don not have enough land for it. I have also been looking into herbal and wildflower leys for when the buffaloes are milking, to improve they're milk yield a bit. :wave:

Title: Re: Making Wildflower Meadows.
Post by: Victorian Farmer on June 09, 2014, 11:21:56 am

mines gone well but moles are a big problem .its a lot of work . Scots plants for meadow  seed.