Every flower meadow, including the wildflower meadow, is always a man-made biotope. Meadows can only develop and last if they are mowed regularly. Otherwise, a forest will develop from this colorful green area over the years - this is a completely natural development.

Mow the meadow for the first time after about 10 weeks

In every newly created meadow, plant species appear that are actually not wanted. This is especially true when a lawn or flower bed has been converted into a wildflower meadow. These plants grow from seeds or parts of plants that are still in the ground from previous vegetation. Therefore, you should not only dig up the soil before sowing, but completely remove the top layer of soil. In addition, the first mowing can be carried out after about eight to ten weeks, so you can remove unwanted growth and encourage the desired ones.

Mow wild meadows no more than twice a year

Otherwise, a wild meadow is mowed about once or twice a year. The frequency of mowing mainly depends on how fast and strong the plants grow. The best time to mow is when most of the flowers have faded. Often this is already the case in the second half of June. On the other hand, you play it safe if the meadow is not mowed until September.

Provide for re-seeding of the meadow

Leave the clippings for a few days before you put them away. In this way, the ripe seeds of flowers and herbs can still fall out of the seed pods and onto the ground. Wildflower meadows can reproduce themselves, although you sometimes have to help with fresh seeds, especially in the first few years. On average, it takes about three to five years for a wildflower meadow to stabilize.

Does a wildflower meadow need to be fertilized?

Wildflower meadows should never be fertilized unless they are fat meadows. The more nutrients and above all the more nitrogen a meadow is, the fewer wildflowers and herbs will thrive on it - and the more grasses will spread. However, if you come across an increasing number of indicator plants such as weed sparrows, wood sorrel or meadow sorrel, the meadow should be whitewashed to neutralize the soil.

tips and tricks

Meadows should ideally only be mowed with a scythe or, if necessary, with a bar mower. The scythe also has the advantage that you can selectively leave plants or perennials that have not yet withered.

IJA

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