Shakespeare, Henry V
“The even mead that erst brought sweetly forth
The freckled cowslip, burnet and green clover
Wanting the scythe, all uncorrected, rank
Conceives by idleness, and nothing teems
But hateful docks, rough thistles, keksies, burs,
Losing both beauty and utility.”
The above refers to meadow management.
What’s new?
A cut of the meadow areas on the land has been carried out. This is to cut back some of the fast growing grass we have which will then free up flower seed to grow next year. The cut has only taken place in the less used areas.
The cuttings have been raked off the land and composted, so as fertility isn’t put back into these areas. Meadows need poor fertilely; otherwise grass outcompetes the flowers.
Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) which is semi-parasitic on grasses has been sowed near the meadow areas. This is one of the most important flowers to keep a meadow flowering.
A new bin has been installed in the centre as the last one began to fall apart. Thanks always to Jim for empty it.
The old fire pit area been sowed with mostly grass seed.
The fence line near the entrance on Kelbourne street has had some meadow seed sowed on it.
Some new patches of meadow have been created. The process has been the same as done previously, where the turf been turned upside down, gently raked and then meadow seed sowed. Next year (2018) this should looked as if its merged into it’s surrounding, albeit with meadow flowers. Currently they look brown.
Some of the meadow seed types are listed below, the % is proportion in the packets:
Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus) 2.5%,
Common Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris Radicata) 1.0%
Corn Poppy (papaver Rhoeas) 2.5%,
Cowslip ( Primula Veris) 0.2% ,
Field Scabious (Knautia Arvensis) 2.5%,
Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium Verum) 7.5%,
Lesser Knapweed (Centaurea Nigra) 7.5%,
Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus Acris) 7.5%,
Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) 1.0%,
Musk Mallow (Malva Moschata) 7.5%,
Ox Eye Daisy (Leucanthemum Vulgare) 2.0%,
Ragged Robin (Lychnis Flos Cuculi) 0.2%,
Red Campion (Silene Dioica) 7.5%,
Ribwort Plantain (Planatago Lanceolata) 7.5% ,
Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus) 0.5%,
Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba Minor) 7.5%,
Self Heal (Prunella Vulgaris) 7.5%,
Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria) 0.5%,
Common Sorrel (Rumex Acetosa) 2.5%,
White Campion (Silene Alba) 7.0%,
Wild Carrot ( Daucus carota) 5.0%,
Upright Hedge Parsley (Torilis Japonica) 2.5%
Yarrow, (Achillea millefolium) 2.5%,
Yellow Rattle (Rhinanathus Minor) 5.0%., (much more than this % will be sowed).
Wild Clary (Salvia Verbenaca) 2 .5%;
Orchard trees and bushes along Kelbourne street fence line have been pruned and their bases freed up from grass. We’re thinking of planting a few more fruit trees so if that’s something your interested in helping with, then please get in touch? We really would welcome the help!
Some new bird feeders have been put up. Feel free to add more or fill the existing one. Are you interested in putting up some bird or bat boxes?
Any questions, concerns, feedback, or you want to help, then please contact: northkelvinmeadow@gmail.com
Some useful reference websites on meadows:
https://wildseed.co.uk/page/management-of-meadows-and-grassland
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=446
http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-cut-a-wildflower-meadow/
https://www.meadowmania.co.uk/news/3-ps-establishing-wild-flowers/
North Kelvin Meadow 