Converting an existing grassy area into a meadow
| Wildflowers growing up from seed |
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| | Pot grown wildflowers |
If you want to turn a grassy area into a wildflower meadow you need to know what is already growing there. Let it grow during the summer to see what turns up. The results can be spectacular; even rare orchids have been known to appear.
You will often find that only a few flowers appear, such as buttercups or daisies. So you may have to introduce some yourself. This can be through 'over-seeding', but is best done by planting.
Over-seeding
Scattering wildflower seed over your grassy area will not be successful. You will have to make gaps to give the flowers chance to grow. The best way to do this is to remove whole squares of turf and topsoil (30cm x 30cm) and seed with one or two carefully chosen types of wildflower in the autumn.
Planting pot grown wildflowers
Wildflowers can be introduced into grassy areas as pot grown plants. Local stock can often be bought from nurseries or grown from seed. Plant them in groups into the turf. Plant in autumn to allow the roots to become established before competition from other plants builds up in the spring. To help reduce this, spread a mulch around your new plantings or replace the turf upside down. You must care for your meadow – see "Looking after a Wildflower Meadow".
