Meadows: renovation, feeding, care

In short

• The plants in a meadow tell you what it lacks: moss and sorrel mean acid soil, docks and dandelions too much slurry, rushes and sedges wet ground.
• Farmyard manure on a meadow: 1–2 kg/m² every 2–3 years, in late autumn or early spring, never just before cutting.
• Aim for pH 6.0; lime a meadow with at most 150–250 g/m² at a time (H02-05 Soil acidity: liming, wood ash and correcting pH).
• Autumn crocus is poisonous both fresh and in hay: control it by cutting or pulling the leaves in April and May, several years running.
• Care first, then overseeding, and ploughing only as a last resort. Never plough a steep meadow.
• Cut part of the meadow later: flowers, bees and seed for natural regeneration.

What's inside

Chapters

1. Read your meadow
2. Soil and lime
3. Feeding the meadow
4. Spring care
5. Cutting as care
6. Renewal: care, overseeding or reseeding
7. Meadow mixtures
8. Autumn crocus and other dangerous weeds
9. Wet and overgrown meadows
10. Common mistakes
11. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Meadow assessment
• Fertiliser and seed calculator
• Meadow renovation plan
• Meadow log
• Renovation cost sheet
• Meadow care calendar