20 Essential 2024 Product Guide Sowing In the first full year it is advantageous to regularly cut the area to a height of 60mm through the growing season. Although this sounds detrimental, perennial species will not flower in year one, so no flowers are actually being lost. By cutting in the first year, the competition from the grasses is minimised and more light is allowed to reach the lower growing wildflower species at the base of the sward. If a mixture was sown containing annuals, these should be allowed to flower and then the whole area cut in July. This will prematurely end the flowering display from the annuals, but it will allow the perennials a better chance of establishment. In subsequent years the annual maintenance regime should consist of the following: Spring Cut It is not uncommon for there to be an initial flush of grass in the Spring. This can be detrimental to the wildflower species as they will only just be starting to grow and can be easily swamped out. By cutting to around 60mm and collecting the debris, the levels of grass growth will be reduced for the coming months allowing for more wildflowers to emerge. Summer/Autumn Cut The optimum time to cut an area of wildflowers is in late July. This is replicating a traditional hay cut. By cutting and collecting the debris in July the maximum amount of organic matter possible is being removed from the area, minimising the amount of nutrients that can be returned to the soil. Cutting in late July does mean that the flowering period is sacrificed prematurely; however, cutting at this time will result in a more diverse species population. The later the cut is performed, the less diverse the population will be. A compromise would be to vary the cutting time each year, or on larger sites cutting areas at different times on an annual rotation. End of Season At the end of the year, before the onset of Winter, a final cut can be made if required. This serves to remove any grass growth following the main Summer cut, leaving the sward open and tidy through the Winter months. At the end of the season it is also beneficial to disturb the sward either by raking or chain harrowing. This will open up the sward allowing room for more wildflower species to emerge. Maintenance
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzIzMzk0