The Meadow Makers' Network Forum

Hi I have a wildflower area which I hand scythe once a year. I leave the cuttings for a few days and then pick them up and discard them. As I’m getting older the picking up is getting a bit of a problem. I’ve had an offer from the person who cuts our lawn to use a motorised scythe to cut the wildflower area. But he also said that he mulches the cuttings after leaving them for the seeds to drop. I was always told not to leave the cuttings as the soil would become too rich and wildflowers don’t particularly like rich soil. I would appreciate a bit of advice as to what people think of this arrangement. Another reason I’ve always hand scythed is we have voles around and I’ve seen them scurrying away as I’ve been scything I would worry how a motorised scythe would affect them. Thanks for your advice.

I think you are right about needing to remove the cuttings to prevent them fertilising the soil too much for wildflowers. If it’s just the picking up that is difficult, could you or the person who helps you rake the cuttings into a heap and leave it in situ? Snakes and spiders will love the warmth it provides. Alternatively, maybe someone local with guinea pigs or rabbits would welcome some fresh hay and help you dry and remove the cuttings? That would depend how much grass you have relative to flowers (and no ragwort). Our meadow is still very grassy so this is the approach I’m going to try this year, now our own guinea pig has passed way.

I have been told that letting sheep to our wildflower "paddock" in at the end of summer - or after flowering / seed drop - is a viable alternative to cutting and clearing.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

cheers

Greg

Greg - here is our talk on conservation grazing:

Thanks Steve - much appreciated