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Take
a Walk on the Wild side
By Brendan Little
29 August 2002
Despite
all the new trends for decking and patios, for
many gardeners the traditional lawn is a must.
The lawn provides the perfect foil for colorful
planting as well as providing access to the
garden. Managed organically this green carpet
can become a haven for wildlife, contributing
richly to the biological diversity of the garden.
 It
is possible to have two types of lawn one a
formal striped weed free carpet the other a
more relaxed green sward containing a greater
diversity of plants. If your manicured lawn
has become too much like hard work, then why
not turn some of it into an organic wildflower
meadow.
Organic
lawns can be exciting habitats full of variety,
and with great value to insects.
When you compare a meadow to a clean cut lawn
you can see that one is teeming with life, birds,
bees and insects while the mown lawn is bereft
of any obvious activity.
So where do you start, well you can simply leave
part of you lawn uncut and wait and see what
happens, grasses and flowers (weeds to your
neighbors) will develop, flower and set seed
(many of our native grasses have the most beautiful
seed heads). The meadow will need cutting at
some time to deter the shrubby species from
invading. To encourage spring-flowering species,
cut from midsummer; to encourage summer-flowering
species mow in early autumn. It is always best
to mow on a dry day and remember to leave the
mown grass on the surface for two to three days;
this allows the ripe seeds to be released.
You can also add to the floral content by clearing
small areas and sowing specific wild flower
seeds. Do ensure that the seeds you choose are
compatible with your soil type.
You can on the other hand raise plants in pots
or 聭plugs聮 and grown them on before
planting out. By planting out in clumps or large
drifts you will add character to the meadow.
 Autumn
is the ideal time to plant bulbs in the meadow
to create a spring display. Crocus, snowdrops,
bluebells (in the shady spots or beneath deciduous
trees) and snake聮s head fritillaries are
all desirable. As with the wild flowers and
grasses do allow time for the fritillaries to
set seed before mowing.
The most commonly asked question is doesn聮t
the meadow look untidy and unkempt?
The simple answer is no, simply mow some paths
through it. These paths serve two purposes,
they provide access and send a signal to friends
and neighbors that you not getting lazy but
are rather beginning to garden with nature!
Remember never dig up plants from the wild no
matter how beautiful they look.
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