Wildflower Growers Manual
Long-term Meadow Maintenance
By the third year the meadow will settle down, not require much maintenance. The general rule is to cut a meadow and remove cuttings once in late July or in the autumn.
In non grass meadows cut foliage to 3"- 4" height .
All meadows
Any meadow can be mown or topped between October and April during mild winters if growth exceeds 25cm.
Spring meadows
To encourage spring flowering species cut spring meadows and all low growing areas once in spring, no later than 15th April and again when they have finished flowering after 21st June. Remove all cuttings
& rake.
Summer meadows
Cut a summer meadow before 21st May at the very latest and again when the meadow has finished flowering after 21st August again at the latest.
Late summer meadows
Cut late summer meadows and tall growing meadows up to July 1st and cut back flowers after October 21st or leave it until early springtime the following year.
Always remove 'cut' materials.
Most wildflowers will die if grass cuttings are not removed. The only exception is where special species are used on certain sites such as steep slopes, use MM11.
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