97% loss of our wildflower meadows since the 1940's. The previous year, I'd dabbled with the idea of turning a section of garden into a wild meadow, inspired by my local conservation sites. There's nothing more intoxicating than walking hip deep in Meadow Sweet, Grasses, Wild Sage and even the prolific yet highly scented "alien" Himalayan Balsam, on a warm Summer's eve with the buzz of insect life all around. I wanted some of that at home to enjoy anytime. Gathering some wildflower seeds, I spread them on the site of an old pond, but nothing remotely wild meadowy grew. Simply described, it was merely a thick matted mass of dense grasses and low creeping weeds, stifling any new seedlings.
Thanks to the RSPB, I felt fuelled with the desire to start again. I began with no expectations of what was achievable. My only loose objectives were to create an authentic wild flower meadow to attract as much wildlife as possible, plus hopefully achieved in a cost effective way. I needed to complete the project on a budget.
I spent that Winter researching the wild flowers most favoured by Bees, Butterflies and Moths.
I discovered to sow the site professionally would be expensive, so I gathered a list of seeds recommended and began ordering them, mostly online at auction sites. I discovered I could buy thousands of seeds for 50p! I found a reputable seller willing to not only add seeds I required, yet even kindly combine p&p. A flurry of seeds soon flooded through my letterbox; Blue Cornflower, Organic Borage, Water Mint, Wild Violets, Flanders Field Poppy, Mixed Poppy, Ox Eye Daisy, Corn Chamomile, Corn Marigold, Buttercup and Clover. I was thrilled when the Soil Association offered packs of free organic Phacelia seeds to anyone who emailed them within a certain date. They would prove to be a valuable asset.
As Spring approached, the real work began, digging the site, removing stones, unwanted plants, any remaining pond liner and preparing the soil for seeds. My soil is heavy clay, and not easy to work with, but the beauty of wild flowers is they don't care! It was a pleasure to skip adding manure, repeated soaking and raking to a fine till. That can be kept for the flower borders and vegetable patch.
The fun part next! I mixed all the seeds together, then split into 50-50. I kept half of the seeds to sow in a few weeks, to provide ongoing colour throughout the Summer, and to fill in any bare patches. I mixed the remaining 50% with sand to ensure sowing is even and to add weight as it was windy for days. I raked very little, then watered. And that's the only effort it took!
Almost immediately, the soil sprouted countless healthy seedlings. While it's tempting to weed out obvious plants you might not want out of habit, I did my best to leave it be, fight it out, as nature does best.
My mini meadow grew easily and thrived. Each day it visually matured. I watered when very dry, yet only when the seedlings were tiny. It was self sufficient and required no feeding or training. I'd busy myself with the rest of the garden, then simply stand and admire the mini meadow!
Exactly 30 days later, the old pond site was lush with vegetation, tranformed, budding, and on the verge of blooming. As it bloomed, every day felt special.
Wildlife moved in immediately. It's true what they say, if you build it, they will come. Previously, the only butterfly visitors were Cabbage Whites and occasionally a Tortoiseshell. Now, several Speckled Wood butterflies danced amongst the foliage, Common Blues spent entire afternoons feeding on the Field Marigolds and it became alive with a myriad of Bees, Hover Flies, bejewelled Beetles and all manner of wee beasties from sun up 'til sun down. As a keen nature photographer, I was spoilt for choice! Ladybirds attracted to aphids on Corn Chamomile quickly moved to the veggie garden, especially the runner beans, where they bred like crazy, saving me the job of hand removing black fly. The site became a riot of colour and activity, a joy to behold. After dusk, the site came alive with Moths. It was by far, the greatest gardening decision I've made.
Originally I grew wildflowers to benefit wildlife, yet as it exploded into life, it became a place of healing and upliftment for people, too. For some time I tried to figure out it's magical quality, before concluding nature is just good for the soul! I didn't expect to enjoy it quite so much. Visitors reactions were similar. Nobody could get enough. It was just beautiful! Every morning new flowers opened, new colours, shades, shapes, and sizes. Brilliant new gifts. It altered daily, and often revealed new surprises, whether flora or fauna. I delighted in the huge Elephant-Hawk Moth caterpillars, following their progress as they fattened on Willow Herb. The site took on a life of it's own. A buzzing community.
There's nothing like starting the day with a cup of tea, in the quiet softness of early morning light, watching wildlife already productive, enjoying fresh new blooms that weren't there yesterday.
When I considered writing this blog post, I wanted to show how easy it is to complete a project like this, how cost effective it is and how rewarding. This is only my second year, yet having gathered so many seeds from last year, my only outlay came from choosing some new varieties, which I didn't need to do. Wildflowers generously shed seeds. It's possible to gift or even sell them, which all helps to spread these flowers. Mini wildflower gardens are addictive too, everyone who witnessed it said they are keen to start! Just one or two seed pods will likely replace your initial purchase. And I must confess, while seed collection isn't my fortay, I enjoyed it this time around. Maybe it's the delightful seed head shapes, who knows.
I hope you feel inspired to give a go! I promise you will enjoy it. I'm a gardening novice, some of my experiments in the garden have been more miss than hit. This has been a pleasure from start to finish.
Last Summer it came to my attention some council's have taken to growing wildflowers on verges and roundabouts, not only helping wildlife but also slashing their mowing bills. I think it's inspired. Newport council, not far from me, have done an incredible job.
I'm also hearing increasing numbers of people are growing wild flowers, even without space or a garden, making use of window boxes and pots. When I think of our combined efforts as a birds eye view, all these mini wild meadows must add up to a glorious percentage returned! I really hope so. If you're thinking of growing your own but you don't have space, it really doesn't matter how small, it will prove invaluable.
I'd love to know if you're thinking of growing your own!
(more pics to come)
A beautiful if rare nowadays sight, thanks
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