Wildflower/ Meadow Flowers

[ryanguevara1983]

I have recently bought a house with a paddock. It is just grass, but I will be growing veg and keeping chickens in one corner.

There is a wire fence that separates it from the farmer's field. I would like to spread some perrenial wildflower seeds along the border, rather than use hedge or trees as I think it will lokk nicer and hopefully attract some butterflies. Is it a simple case of digging a trench along the length, spreading the seed and waiting?!

Also, I would like the plants to be perrenial, so it is a permanent border, that will pretty much look after itself!

Any tips, links, or suggestions would be hugely appreciated!!

Thanks

[Two_Sheds]

Let me goggle that for you "how to grow meadow flowers"

[ryanguevara1983]

Many thanks for the goggle, good link.

[Two_Sheds]

you're most welcome.

[Nicos]

Sounds like my small field!!!! 1/3 over to chooks ... 1/3 over to veg...1/3 'lawn'
I too have wire fencing- with 10 cows, 10 calves...and a bull in the farmer's field behind.
We did put 1/2 of it over to wild flowers last year- just self seeded...and ended up with thitles, thistles - and oh- more thistles....but lots of butterflies though!

Like the idea of bought seeds around the edge...I just need to see what might be toxic to cattle in case the calves try and have a munch!

[vicky]

We've got a meadow too (only been here a few months so in a similar situation to you!). Have got some thistles and nettles but not too many. We have mown several paths round and through the meadow and will mow entirely the small areas that are all thistles next year to stop them a bit. Currently we are in the process of cutting it all down (a task made harder by the rubbish weather)
Once cut we will be planting bulbs - various left by last owners and lots of snakeshead fritillaries and casmissia (it's wet in winter). Plus the excess vigourous plants from the garden - pericarsia, geraniums, redhot poker,rudbeckia, phlox, foxgloves and chinese lanterns. And scattering wildflower seed.
The only problem with perennials I can see is you can't cut them down with a strimmer (too tough) and they may be in flower when you want to cut (we just cut around them) but if you don't cut down the thistles could take over.
Whereabouts in the country are you?

[ryanguevara1983]

I am in Hampshire. I don't mind if the border grows much longer than the rest of the paddock - I am actually hopeful that it will, so that it creates a natural border along the fenceline. I have been looking at wildflower seeds, also poppy seeds as they always look great.

Poppy seeds page 3 Poppies Galore
Wild flower meadow

Thanks

[zazen999]

Definitions:

Perennial plants die down and regrow every year.
Annual plants set seed, are cut back and the next year's flowers are from the seed that is set.

A wildflower meadow is made from annuals; not perennials. It also needs careful management; depending on whether the seeds you go for flower early or late; and needs to be in poor soil or the flowers will be overtaken by grasses which smother the flowers from the goodness in the soil.

So, before you do this, do some research on wildflower meadow management; here's a link to help you.

Factsheet: Wildflower Meadows - an introduction

Just sowing wildflower seeds will not give you a wildflower meadow that comes back each year; sorry!

[ryanguevara1983]

Paddock Border - wild flowers?

I am very grateful for the help I had in my previous thread. What became clear was that I had my terms mixed up!!

I don't have a meadow - I have a paddock!!

I have a small paddock, with grass covering all of it. What I am planning to do is have a border along the fenceline, in order to make the grass longer than the rest of the paddock (about a metre in width, along the length of the fence). I hope the natural flowering border will look nice, and attract some butterflies, small birds etc. etc. So I guess what I should be asking is what I should sow in the border? A mix of grass and wild flower seeds, or something completely different!!? As always, any info, help, links very gratefully received!

Many thanks for all of the help so far!!

[Nicos]

I can confirm that sprinkling wild flower seeds over a grassed area will produce nothing

I must have sprinkled about £40 worth of wild flower seeds and absolutely no flowers grew!
For you-
I think preparing the soil by turning it over is the way to start- and maybe growing some things from seed in trays- and then transplanting.

I think it was mice which ate the seeds to be honest- but I really have no idea why absolutely nothing germinated

I think we may well go for a thin wildlife hedge and plant a few annuals along the base- plus some exotic grasses with seed heads.

It's certainly going to need a bit of weeding though to keep out the thistles.

..well - those are our plans for next year!

( small apple trees, plum trees, sloes, brambles, a few other fruit bushes , buddlia etc, and then annual/ perennials for more colour...and for bees/moths/ butterflies and birds )

Your idea sounds lovely though- I'll keep an eye open for what you finally decide to do!

There was a thread a while back discussing it- see if you can find it using the search facility at the top of the page

[oldie]

The following link may be useful:-http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/meadow/index.php

[rustylady]

Why don't you go with Nicos's idea of fruit bushes/trees along the fence line. Productive as well as decorative, and good habitat for birds and beasties.

[ryanguevara1983]

Thanks guys, some great advice. I will definitely be planting some fruit tress and bushes but was thinking about planting them on the other side of the paddock so I keep the lovely view. Think I'll dig a border and scatter some seeds, hope for the best, will keep it weeded as best I can. Have been looking at poppy seeds to mix in with the wildflower - think they look great in a wild border. Thanks again everybody,

One more question - when do you think I should sow?

[rustylady]

One more question - when do you think I should sow?

Where are you? If you add your location to your profile it will save us having to keep asking whereabouts you are, and this can be really important when giving advice.

[ryanguevara1983]

Thanks for the tip, will update my profile now