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24-09-2007, 05:50 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | MY Final Cut!
That's it! One year ago today i sowed my two Mini Meadows and today after 1year of constant mowing i can now sit back and let them flower!!! I'm so excited to see how they will look together though out the seasons. Garlic Mustard for the Orange tip Larvae in spring, Wild primroses and Ramsons. All being well Bluebells will flourish (fingers crossed)! Cuckoo Flower in the butterfly meaadow should provide Nectar for the Orange Tips. Then Come Summer Field Scabious, Hard heads, Lady's Bedstraw shoul be in Full Bloom And hope the Butterfly's take a liking to these? Will be Taking Photo's for certain and I Hope all viewers will Enjoy it just as much?
Right i'm off to plant Small teazel in the Spinney as i almost forgot!  |
24-09-2007, 06:08 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,308
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez  That's it! One year ago today i sowed my two Mini Meadows and today after 1year of constant mowing i can now sit back and let them flower!!! I'm so excited to see how they will look together though out the seasons. Garlic Mustard for the Orange tip Larvae in spring, Wild primroses and Ramsons. All being well Bluebells will flourish (fingers crossed)! Cuckoo Flower in the butterfly meaadow should provide Nectar for the Orange Tips. Then Come Summer Field Scabious, Hard heads, Lady's Bedstraw shoul be in Full Bloom And hope the Butterfly's take a liking to these? Will be Taking Photo's for certain and I Hope all viewers will Enjoy it just as much?
Right i'm off to plant Small teazel in the Spinney as i almost forgot! | Im confused by the year of constant mowing first?...i understand the hay cut and removal at the end of the season but why constant mowing?...before letting anything flower?...
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I am the original Nature Nazi ;) |
24-09-2007, 07:36 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Salter Im confused by the year of constant mowing first?...i understand the hay cut and removal at the end of the season but why constant mowing?...before letting anything flower?... | As i have fertile soil and couldn't do a scrape.1. I have had to mow to reduce the fertility. 2. It gives the broadleaf flowers a chance to establish against the competative grasses which would otherwise grow at a quicker rate and block light getting to the flowers hence being left with just a lawn. |
24-09-2007, 07:40 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: N.Yorkshire.... The Dales... can't beat it tbh
Posts: 1,915
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Well I for one can't wait to see your wildflower meadows Jez, sounds to me like you've put in alot of effort to get the results you want 
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Please feed your hedgehogs!!! ;) |
24-09-2007, 07:47 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cazzie Well I for one can't wait to see your wildflower meadows Jez, sounds to me like you've put in alot of effort to get the results you want | Thank very kindly Cazzie. It has been hard graft but very worth it & i can whole heartly recomend it to anyone who would like to do the same!  |
24-09-2007, 07:58 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,308
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Thank very kindly Cazzie. It has been hard graft but very worth it & i can whole heartly recomend it to anyone who would like to do the same! | Well thats my point...i WAS going to do the same but im only here for another 2 summers , once i get my degree ill be out of here like a shot...so wanted a meadow THIS year  2008
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I am the original Nature Nazi ;) |
24-09-2007, 08:27 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Salter Well thats my point...i WAS going to do the same but im only here for another 2 summers , once i get my degree ill be out of here like a shot...so wanted a meadow THIS year 2008 | How can you want a meadow and leave like a light? whats the reason  |
24-09-2007, 08:32 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fareham, UK
Posts: 472
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Salter once i get my degree ill be out of here like a shot... | Hey Cazzie have we finally scared Dan The Man off? 
Jez I look forward to seeing your photo's
Unfortunately my garden isn't big enough to do everything I want to it, but I have bought some packets of wildflower/meadowflower seeds which I can't wait to see in bloom (but obviously not as large an area covered as I would have hoped).
Pixii |
24-09-2007, 09:33 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
I'm interested in what you have sown you sexy Pixi you! |
24-09-2007, 09:53 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Andover
Posts: 977
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Hi Jez
Sorry if you've already mentioned it. How big are your meadows and what were they before you turned them into meadows? Have you plans to collect the seeds or are you just going to leave it unmanaged?
BWD
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sdrawkcab backwards is backwards |
24-09-2007, 10:18 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Billy Wobble Dagger Hi Jez
Sorry if you've already mentioned it. How big are your meadows and what were they before you turned them into meadows? Have you plans to collect the seeds or are you just going to leave it unmanaged?
BWD | Small meadows for sure! 10m square for the spinney and 3x3 for the butterfly
. All will come apparant when i take snaps! I will collect seeds! It was unmanaged & brimmed full of nettles & Ground Elder! So regarding seeds if WAB members want some i'll send FOC anyone else can pay! |
25-09-2007, 08:42 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
The list of what i have sown but what will i get?
Butterfly meadow:-
Kidney Vetch, Yarrow, Wild Carrot, Meadow Cranesbill, Hedge Cranesbill, Common Knapweed, Greater Knapweed, Lady's Bedstraw, Wild Salsify, Cuckoo Flower, Hay Rattle, Hare Bell, Common St.Johns Wort, Cats Ear, Birds Foot Trefoil, Musk Mallow, Field Scabious, Greater Hawkbit, Salad Burnet, Ribwort Plantain, Self Heal, White Campion, Nottingham Catch-Fly,
Ox Eye Daisy, Dark Mullein & Tufted Vetch. Grasses- Highland Bent, Quaking Grass, Yellow Oatgrass, Smoothed Stalked Meadow Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Crested Dogtail, Sheeps Fescue, Red Fescue, Slender Red Fescue, Chewings Fescue & Meadow Barley.
Wodland Meadow:- Creeping Bellflower, Nettle Leaved Bellflower, Giant Bellflower, Globe Flower, Wood Sage, Wild Foxglove, Blue Bell, Wild Primrose, Meadow Sweet, Herb Robert, Greater Celandine, Red Campion, Wood Forget-me-not, Greater Stitchwort, Upright Hedge Parsley, Small Teazel, Wood Avens, Hedge Bedstraw, Hedge Woundwort, Self Heal, Pink Purslane, Garlic Mustard, Betony, Hairy St.Johns Wort, Ramsons & Wood Cranesbill. Grasses- Sweet Vernal Grass, Crested Dogtail, Wood Millet, Highland Bent, Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass, Sheeps Fescue, Red Fescue, Slender Red Fescue, Tussock Grass & Wood Meadow Grass.
Phew  |
26-09-2007, 12:32 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,308
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez How can you want a meadow and leave like a light? whats the reason | Because im only living with my irritating mother while i finish my degree...once done ill be gone..but wanted a patch of grass next to the drive to be a wildflower/butterfly meadow for the next two years ( and i guess after i go)
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I am the original Nature Nazi ;) |
26-09-2007, 04:40 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Salter Because im only living with my irritating mother while i finish my degree...once done ill be gone..but wanted a patch of grass next to the drive to be a wildflower/butterfly meadow for the next two years ( and i guess after i go) | What a you studing if you don't mind me asking, anything wildlife of natural world related? |
26-09-2007, 05:26 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,308
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez What a you studing if you don't mind me asking, anything wildlife of natural world related? | Degree in Countryside Management. hence my want for a mini wildflower meadow.
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I am the original Nature Nazi ;) |
26-09-2007, 05:40 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Salter Degree in Countryside Management. hence my want for a mini wildflower meadow. | I would like to do the same know that i'm meadow making! I take it that it combines practical skills as well as written? All the Best Dan i hope it serves you well! |
26-09-2007, 05:49 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,308
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez I would like to do the same know that i'm meadow making! I take it that it combines practical skills as well as written? All the Best Dan i hope it serves you well! | Indeed it does...on the written, academic side its subjects like Ecology, Soil Science, Plant Science and Taxonomy ( Botany ) Conservation, Rural land use, Field Biology, Sustainable land use, Habitat management/restoration...that kind of stuff
and the Practical side is the obvious... woodwork skills, Estate skills, fencing, bridges, styles, steps, pathways, seating, coppicing, tree felling, bricklaying, paving, tree planting, pond building, habitat maintenance etc etc.
I start on year 2 tomorrow and i cant wait to get back...mostly to check out the new first year crumpet !
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I am the original Nature Nazi ;) |
26-09-2007, 05:59 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: N.E.SOMERSET
Posts: 6,790
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Well done Jez I hope you get the display you have earned,
I helped plant meadow flower plugs in a meadow to kick start
a wildflower meadow very few took off though
Perhaps Dan could put in plugs for his 2008 meadow
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You cannot maintain an ecology, if you lose any of the pieces. |
26-09-2007, 06:05 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,308
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Quote:
Originally Posted by nightshade Well done Jez I hope you get the display you have earned,
I helped plant meadow flower plugs in a meadow to kick start
a wildflower meadow very few took off though
Perhaps Dan could put in plugs for his 2008 meadow | Thats an option i have been thinking actually...i have collected a lot of wildflower seeds this year..if i sow them now in plugs or small pots would i be able to transplant in spring? early summer?
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I am the original Nature Nazi ;) |
26-09-2007, 06:20 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
In my nieveity i placed plugs to begin with in the spinney and had great success with them but didn't think of the spread of weeds which over a period of a year dominanted the area hence i started again from scratch. If Dans desired patch is pretty much weed free, i can't any problem but i would urge you to do as i did this year and mow it continously so the plugs have chance to establish! |
13-10-2007, 11:23 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Anyways the before shots. I will take photos again from the same place next year to compare the before and after shots but wanted to get these up so you can get a feel i hope of what it may look like!
Looking Down. The Butterfly M/Meadow will be in front of the fencing & the Woodland behind. 
A view from the rear of my cottage style garden. 
Another Angle on the Butterfly Meadow. 
Excuse the kitchen which is adhock about 1940 has just had work doing and the house will be a minty green? The Woodland on the left of the path, the Butterfly on the right. 
I have made a new gate from the garden to meadow. On either side of the gate this side will be two elder trees growing over. Shot looking up from the spinney. 
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The best habitat for wildlife, could well be.........your back garden! |
13-10-2007, 11:36 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: East Sussex
Posts: 391
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
What a lovely place you live in.... |
13-10-2007, 11:56 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bewdley
Posts: 3,639
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Thanks ever so. It's so peaceful here all you can hear is the birds in chorus.
That is until the SVR is moving once again. Then when it is the driving school, the enthusiasts just can't let go of the blinking whistle as they appproach the level crossing 
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The best habitat for wildlife, could well be.........your back garden! |
14-10-2007, 12:12 AM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4
| | | Re: MY Final Cut!
Wow Jez, what a fantastic place to live. I love the idea of a meadow but sadly dont have anything like the space required.
I have a lovely sunny spot out the front of my house with a Lavender hedge and various Field Scabious which go crazy each summer. The area already attracts butterflies and bees, but since browsing through your meadow planting lists I feel I'd like to add some other bits and pieces in the spring.
My soil is nurient poor, well drained and in full sun. The area is covered in roundstone gravel a couple of inches deep, so when I add plants into the little patch they would be best kept to more contained upright plants rather than a creeping ground cover. I wonder if you could offer me any advice on the best plants to attract butterflies?
Keep up the good work, I can't wait to see more when your meadow springs into life! | |
