This mixture is ideal for Country Parks and farmland headlands or around intensively used amenity spaces. It can be grazed long-term, though cutting may be needed initially to build sward depth and prevent poaching. It provides valuable habitat for invertebrates, birds, and mammals. When cutting in late summer, leave one-third uncut for overwintering invertebrates, rotating the area annually.

Applications

  • Moist, free-draining soils

  • Landfill sites

  • Farmland and country parks

  •  Informal lawns

  • Educational sites

Mixture

2.0%

Yarrow

(Achillea millefolium)

0.8%

Common Vetch

(Vicia sativa)

0.5%

Yellow Flag

(Iris pseudacorus)

2.0%

Black Medick

(Medicago lupulina)

1.5%

Ribwort plantain

(Plantago lanceolata)

1.6%

Self Heal

(Prunella vulgaris)

1.0%

Yellow Rattle

(Rhinanthus minor)

0.1%

Meadow Vetchling

(Lathyris pratensis)

2.2%

Red Clover

(Trifolium pratense)

2.2%

White Clover

(Trifolium repens)

0.1%

Common Mouse-ear

(Cerastium fontanum)

1.0%

Dandelion

(Taraxacum officinale)

1.0%

Birdsfoot Trefoil

(Lotus corniculatus)

1.8%

Salad Burnet

(Sanguisorba minor)

0.5%

Tufted Vetch

(Vicia cracca)

0.8%

Meadow Buttercup

(Ranunculus acris)

0.5%

Greater Knapweed

(Centaurea scabiosa)

1.0%

Cow Parsley

(Anthriscus sylvestris)

10.0%

Lolium perenne

(Lolium perenne)

25.0%

Crested Dogstail

(Cynosurus cristatus

15.0%

Slender Creeping Red Fescue

(Festuca rubra litoralis)

15.0%

Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass

(Poa pratensis)

3.5%

Golden Oat Grass

(Trisetum flavescens)

3.0%

Yorkshire Fog

(Holcus lanatus)

4.5%

Browntop Bent

(Agrostis capillaris)

4.0%

Timothy (Small eared)

(Phleum bertolonii)

Usage guide

Sowing Rate

5 g/m2

Sowing Time

March - October

Sowing Depth

10 mm

Sowing Instructions

Create a fine friable seedbed down to 150 mm in depth. Carry out two equal sowings at right angles to each other and diagonally to main axis. Broadcast manually or use seed drill, rake level and roll. Ensure good seed to soil contact.

Maintenance

Autumn Sown

Year One

First cut early July, then monthly during August, September and October. 

Cutting height 70 -100 mm

Thereafter

Cut from mid-July to early September. This can be done as one cut but preferably, and if the meadow is big enough, you will cut it in sections leaving a week to a fortnight between cuts. Ensure you collect the arisings. If the meadow is large enough, consider allowing up to a fifth to stand uncut through the winter and cut down and remove the clippings in March the following year, this will provide a habitat for invertebrates and some vertebrates over the winter. Rotate this area so a different section is left uncut each year. This more closely replicates the grazing of animals which would leave some small areas not grazed.

 

If possible, and with the obvious exception of areas you are leaving uncut, lightly mow the sward down to 70 -100 mm as required throughout the winter months until March and collect the clippings.

Spring sown

Year One

First cut mid-September - 1st October and collect the arisings, then again during August, September and October.

Cutting height 70 -100 mm.

Thereafter

Cut from mid-July to early September. This can be done as one cut but preferably, and if the meadow is big enough, you will cut it in sections leaving a week to a fortnight between cuts. Ensure you collect the arisings. If the meadow is large enough, consider allowing up to a fifth to stand uncut through the winter and cut down and remove the clippings in March the following year, this will provide a habitat for invertebrates and some vertebrates over the winter. Rotate this area so a different section is left uncut each year. This more closely replicates the grazing of animals which would leave some small areas not grazed.

If possible, and with the obvious exception of areas you are leaving uncut, lightly mow the sward down to 70 -100 mm as required throughout the winter months until March and collect the clippings.