Enhancing an existing meadow

Enhancing wildflower meadows 

Wildflower meadows are incredible habitats for wildlife and an integral part of our landscape. Sadly, these beautiful, wild spaces are in serious decline. But, the good news is that there are lots of ways to enhance wildflower meadows and improve their value for wildlife and people.  

Before making any enhancements, it is important to ensure that good general management is in place. Your improvements will be far more effective if sound management is taking place year after year. 

One method of meadow enhancement is to use ‘green hay’ cut from a flower-rich donor site which is then spread on the receptor site. Alternatively, hand-collected seed or commercial seed mixes can be used depending on the situation, with seed spreading done via machinery or by hand.  

Preparation of the ground is a vital step and can be done by hand or by scarifying machinery, depending on the size of the meadow. 

What is ‘green hay’? 

Usually taken from a species-rich grassland, green hay is wildflowers and grasses that have been harvested just as they are shedding seed. Unlike a conventional hay crop, which is cut and allowed to dry in situ, green hay is used immediately after cutting, quickly transferred and spread over a pre-prepared recipient site and left until the hay has dried and the seeds have dropped. 

Find out more about enhancing a meadow using local green hay in our how-to video: