Planting & Maintenance Instructions

Planting and Maintenance instructions for Manor Oaks Farm Traditional Conservation Meadow Seed Mixes.

1) If possible select a weed-free site of low fertility. DO NOT USE FERTILISER.

2) Control weeds before sowing. Annual weeds may be hoes, buried or killed with a contact herbicide. perenial weeds such a Couch=frass, Docks, Thistles and nettles should be erradicated by a glysphosate herbicide such as Round-Up.

3) Sow mixtures either from early March to ealy May, or from early August to mid-September (for autmn establishment of most species. NB if your choen mix includes Cowslip, primrose, bluebell or violets these will not be expected to flower until the winter following sowing.

4) Cultivate the ground to produce a fine weed-free seed bed. Firm if necessary.

5) Take care to sown evenly at the recommended rate of 4grams per sq metre. Througghly mixing one part seed with four parts dry sand makes it easier to see where you have sown.

6) Rake the seed in lightly with a sping-tines rake and firm the soil by treading or preferably rolling to ensure that the seed comes into contact with moisture in the soil. Water with a fine spray to avoid disturbing the surface of the soil.

7) Keep the area well -watered and feww from any unwanted plants.

8) During the first year after sowing thje sward should be cut every 1_^1/2 - 2 months (or as necessary) in order to prevent the grass from overgrwoing the slower growing wildflowers. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE CUTTINGS ARE REMOVED.

9) In folowing year, cut in the early spring (before growth starts) and in October , afer all the wild flower seeds have been shed, REMOVE THE CUTTINGS.

NB the above are applicable to Manor Oaks Farm Wildflower meadow mixes NOT Pictorial Meadow Mixes. For Pictorial Meadows instructions click here