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+--- Thread: Meadow slope (/showthread.php?tid=1202)
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Meadow slope - Jimny14 - 20-07-2021
At the edge of my lawn to the hedge I have a small slope which is annoying to mow. I've left it to grow long this summer mainly due to laziness and a few wild flowers including red campion and some others I can't name have popped up. It got me thinking could I make a mini meadow strip?
So my plan is cut the long grass back hard, heavily scarify the area to open up bare soil patches and sow yellow rattle alng the ridge at the end of this summer. Then allow that to get established next year only cutting the grass early in year then in August (or after yellow rattle has set seed). I may at that point also add some wild meadow seeds or leave that until spring the year after.
Anyone think I shouldn't bother or do something differently?
RE: Meadow slope - Small chilli - 21-07-2021
Any chance of a photo of it now? So we can play name the wild flower.
Personally it sounds like a lot of hard work for something you’ve already achieved. Think I’d not cut it back until end of August at the earliest. I wouldn’t do a tight cut either. Leave it a little long. I’d just scatter seeds after cutting. Because it will already be a wildlife haven. My strimmer has been in Bobs workshop/shed waiting to be fixed for a couple of months. So the grass in my veggie garden is knee high in places. Even though I’m surrounded by open spaces fields/hills. The wildlife increase in the veggie garden is very noticeable.
RE: Meadow slope - Jimny14 - 22-07-2021
Here is a picture of the slope as it is, it isn't very obvious I'm afraid due to the grass obscuring the margin of the hedge. I'll get some things a bit more close up for you if I can tonight when I'm back from work children depending.
[attachment=3541]
RE: Meadow slope - Veggie - 22-07-2021
Teasel and yarrow?
RE: Meadow slope - Jimny14 - 24-07-2021
[attachment=3549]
[attachment=3550]
[attachment=3551]
Here are a few more pics of the area, my reasoning for wanting to try yellow rattle etc is to increase the diversity in the area a bit.
RE: Meadow slope - Veggie - 24-07-2021
Pic 1 - the spiky seedheads - Wood avens. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/wood-avens The seed heads catch on the dog's fur and on clothing. I pull it up whenever I spot it!
Pic 2 - the tall white flower is Hogweed - another plant I dislike and try to dig out. The sap gives me a skin rash. Once the seed heads dry, the seeds scatter everywhere. The plant has a long taproot and any bits left in the ground regrow.
Pink campion spreads too.
RE: Meadow slope - Jimny14 - 24-07-2021
Thanks for the info veggie. I've noticed some binf weed in the hedge too.
RE: Meadow slope - Veggie - 24-07-2021
If you want child-friendly wild flowers, maybe time to remove the Wood Avens and Hogweed seedheads & flowers, even if you haven't time to dig the plants up completely.
Looks like hawthorn leaves in Pic 1. Did you have a hawthorn in the hedge?
RE: Meadow slope - Jimny14 - 24-07-2021
Yep, the hedge is mainly hawthorn. Some field maple, Hazel, Ash and other bits and bobs.
RE: Meadow slope - Veggie - 24-07-2021
Sounds like my "hedge" though I don't have the field maple. Can add elder, holly and bramble to the mix.