new wildflower meadow
Creating a New Wildflower Meadow in Totnes
Written by Kevin | Totnes Gardening
"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit."
This week, we are undertaking a significant project in Totnes. We are not just gardening; we are restoring a lost landscape by creating a new Wildflower Meadow.
Since 1945, 97% of wildflower meadows in Britain have disappeared. This represents a staggering loss of habitat for our pollinators, birds, and mammals. However, we can reverse this trend—one garden at a time.
The Process: Turning a field into a habitat Creating a meadow requires more than simply scattering seeds on existing grass. As any horticulturalist knows, preparation is the key to success. If seeds are added to a standard lawn, vigorous grasses will quickly choke the flowers before they germinate.
To ensure this project succeeds, we are following a strict process:
The Reset: We strip back existing grass and weeds to create a clean, low-nutrient seedbed. Wildflowers struggle in fertile soil; they thrive where nutrient levels are lower and competition is reduced.
The Sowing: We hand-sow a bespoke mix of native seeds suited specifically to the South Devon climate. This includes Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor), a semi-parasitic plant that helps suppress grass growth naturally.
The Tread: We rake the seed in and tread it down to ensure vital soil contact.
Low-Impact Maintenance Clients often ask how a meadow is maintained without it becoming untidy.
A meadow typically requires cutting only once or twice a year (the "Hay Cut"). I utilize professional battery-powered tools for this task. This approach offers distinct advantages over traditional petrol machinery:
Wildlife Protection: The equipment is quiet, allowing me to hear and spot wildlife—such as hedgehogs and slow worms—and work around them safely.
Minimal Disturbance: We complete the work without the noise pollution associated with tractors or petrol trimmers, respecting the peace of the valley.
Why Rewild? Rewilding is an active process of ecological restoration. By converting even a small area of your garden into a meadow, you create a vital "corridor" that links with the wider Totnes countryside. This allows biodiversity to travel, feed, and flourish.
You do not need a large field to make a difference. I create mini-meadows in gardens of all sizes.
