Best time to cut widlfower patch in garden?

Suzybrook · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 02:31 AM

Hi

I have a wildflower/grasses patch in the garden and i'm wondering the best time to cut it as i've read different suggestions elsewhere. At the moment i usually cut it once in april/early May and then in September. I use a strimmer making sure thers no frogs or hedgehogs etc by firstly poking around with a rake.

what is the best time to cut it, and what height to cut it to - in terms of providing the most benefit, and least potential harm to wildlife whilst cutting. I guess im doing something right at the moment as for the past two years ive had a number of gatekeeper butterflies around it, lots of young frogs too

many thanks

Tringa · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 12:59 PM

Google came up with this link - among others - Factsheet: Wildflower Meadows - Cutting, Mowing

It's about meadows but I guess it applies to a wildflower patch in a garden.

Do you have any photos of it in flower?

Suzybrook · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 12:56 AM

Tringa thanks for taking the time to post that lincolnshire wildlife trust link, its very helpful.

Heres two pics of my wildflower area, it has ,amongst others, oxe eye daisies, birdsfoot trefoil and orange hawkweed, with musk mallow as well.

The second area near the fence is mainly lesser celandine and knapweed. The small tree on the right is an Alder Buckthorn and we always get brimstone caterpillers on it in the summer

and finally a pic of one of the gatekeepers we get too

once again thanks for the link and reply

Tringa · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 03:41 PM

Nice photos, Suzy.

It is good to see how a relatively small patch can have an impact on wildfife.

BTW I recognise the red flowers in the first photo, but I don't know their name. Do you know what they are?

TIA

Dave

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 13-09-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tringa

Nice photos, Suzy.

It is good to see how a relatively small patch can have an impact on wildfife.

BTW I recognise the red flowers in the first photo, but I don't know their name. Do you know what they are?

TIA

Dave

I think you mean the Orange Hawkweed/aka Fox+ Cubs, Pilosella aurantiaca.

Suzybrook · #6 (**permalink**) 13-09-2009, 08:18 PM

Dave

aeshna5 is right it's Orange Hawkweed- They weren't in the wildflower meadow mix i initially sowed, i bought a number of them separately from a nursery selling wildflowers, but they spread quickly

Jez · #7 (**permalink**) 13-09-2009, 09:55 PM

Hi Suzybrook,

I cut my meadows as early as late Feb as not to mow early spring flowers like Primroses, Cowslips, and Ramsons then I do my final cut for the year about now when we have a warm spell and the ground is at it's warmest, ideal for germination!

Your wildflower patch looks lovely by the way!