wildflower meadow

[coasty]

Not far from me is a large wildflower meadow that is developing nicely with butterflies and wildflowers.. It has just been cut whilst many of the flowers are in bloom. Surely this a little to early?

[jhewitt15]

I thought you were only supposed to cut the meadows in the autumn.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Depends what it's being managed for. If it's a hay meadow, then no it isn't too early. Those managed under High Level Stewardship can be cut anytime after 15th July. If it is managed for ground-nesting birds then yes it is. This normally has a don't-cut-until date of 31st July.

If it is managed purely as a wildflower meadow then it depends on what sort of meadow it is. (Still with me?) If it is a mainly spring flowering meadow, then no it isn't. If it is mainly a summer flowering meadow then I would say it's about a month early, taking into acount that some invertebrate species can be late breeders, such as some grasshoppers etc.

On the other hand, if it is a council owned site, they may be concerned of it being a fire risk. Though you wil usually find that they have the area cut and the risings left in situ, which creates a greater fire risk than if it had been left uncut.

Cheers,

Adam

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by coasty

Not far from me is a large wildflower meadow that is developing nicely with butterflies and wildflowers.. It has just been cut whilst many of the flowers are in bloom. Surely this a little to early?

I was looking at a wild-flower meadow within 5 miles of Scarborough last week, and while there are quite a lot of plants still flowering, many plants like Yellow Rattle and grasses like quaking grass are currently in seed. If the grass is being cut to use to spread elsewhere as a way of seeding a new meadow, now would not be a bad time as we have a five day fine weather forecast, which should be enough to make hay.

[mrs fish]

It may be a Hay meadow for feed.

Has it been gathered or left laying ? Hay is usually cut then two days later turned then another two days later gathered, preferbly with good weather

That is where the saying "Make hay while the sun shines" comes from