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Wildflower Meadow Campaign
Welcome to the Fund it, Sow it, Grow it Wildflower Meadow Campaign
In a nutshell, the Wildflower Meadow campaign aims to sow a 1.5 acre field with wildflowers. After being sown in Spring 2015, the field will mature over the coming years to create a diverse and natural habitat, both for flora and fauna.
Our Sponsors so far;
Mary Osbaldeston | David Smith | Shamser Huda | Colin Alexander-Brown | Kate Aaron | Emma Pooley | Alex Blair | Binky_2301 | Andrew Tapp
The Aim
Welcome to the Wildflower Meadow campaign. Using a wildflower mix, which includes plants such as Golden Rattle, Corn Poppy, Yarrow and Lesser Knapweed, our 1.5acre site will be sown this spring using a traditional broadcasting method (by hand). It’ll then be allowed to mature for the coming years, maintained only with by scything down in autumn and additional sowing if patches appear.
It’s incredibly important to create, and then preserve, such patches across our rural landscape. Intensive farming has become essential, both to feed the growing human race and for farmers to actually forge out living. But, this often means ripping out hedgerows, spraying off verges and creating vast plains of dusty arable fields. Where do the animals go? How can native plants survive? The answer – they can’t…..unless wildflower patches and natural habitats are protected.
So, with your help, we can turn this tiny patch into a safe haven for bees, butterflies, hares, amphibians and many more creatures, AS WELL as the gorgeous plants.
**Our IndieGoGo campaign for this part of the project has ended. But you can still help and donate on future farm/conservation works.**
Spring 2015 –
In Spring 2015 we sowed the first fifth of the field with a wildflower seed mix suitable for clay soils.
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- We divided the seeds into pots having weighed it out – one tablespoon per 1sqm
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- Saad surveys the field
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- The troops begin to sow.
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- We weren’t counting on self-sown oil seed rape having started.
October 2015 –
The first cut was done in October 2015. We’re not working with optimal conditions – the ground is undulating and oil seed rape has self-sown itself. BUT, it’s all an experiment and the wildflowers are taking. Over the coming years the meadow will just get better and better!
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- Through that little gap is the meadow
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- The ground isn’t optimal – it’s clay and undulating
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- Work starts on scything, strimming and raking
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- The first wildflowers (Ox-eye daisies) are taking hold.
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- Saad sits amongst the oil seed rape stems.
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- One day’s work and three turns across the field are complete.
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- A lone poppy survives the cut; left in place to scatter its seed.
April 2016 –
The first year put in the groundwork for the wildflower meadow, but it’s the second year that should really start to show progress as the perennial plants begin to flower. At first look, it’s still patchy and lacking in colour BUT, there are beautiful signs of life.
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- A patchy start…
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- A poppy stands tall
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- Speedwell begins to creep
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- Plantain’s carousel of anthers shine
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- Another poppy hides amongst the leaves
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- White campion rises above the field
September 2016
The summer season for wildflower is over. Because the field currently has no grass, we don’t have to sycthe in autumn, allowing many of the plants a chance to produce seed. Luckily our local farmer has said he’ll top the field for us later this year so all we have to do is rake the debris off the meadow itself. THAT’s a time-saver! Next year, however, we have a grand plan to set up a fun scything event!
The plan of increasing diversity is working too. A pair of buzzards reared a chick this year, and both barn owls and tawny owls were heard. A beautiful doe deer was also spotted on the other side of the meadow before she disappeared into the hedgerow.
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- Teasels on the field’s periphery
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- A second field was left fallow this year – daisies appeared
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- Many of the plants have set seed…
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- Though there are a few flowers still around
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- Bo, our dog, explores.
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- Bindweed, a garden nuisance, has a place here.
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- The first time I’ve seen a Comma; snacking on overripe blackberries.