The lean meadow, also called dry meadow, is now de facto threatened with extinction. Since this type of meadow can hardly be used for agriculture, a conversion to more economical forms of use takes place, especially in areas used intensively for agriculture. Nevertheless, creating a poor meadow can be worthwhile, as the numerous flowering herbs and flowers serve as pasture for butterflies and bees.
Rough meadows are very species-rich
Rough meadows are among the most species-rich types of meadows, as the calcareous and nutrient-poor soil ensures that plants that are weak in competition thrive - in contrast to a rich meadow, on which only fast-growing grasses and flowers have a chance due to the high nitrogen content. As a result, rough meadows help to protect rare plant species from extinction. In addition, poor meadows with their rich stock of flowers also serve as a food source for rare butterflies.
Typical plants for poor meadows
Rough meadows typically have an almost manageable number of flowers and herbs, which it is impossible to list all of them here. A few typical representatives should nevertheless be mentioned:
- Quaking Grass (Briza media)
- Thrift (Armeria maritima)
- Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)
- Cowslip (Primula veris)
- Bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)
- Catchfly (Silene viscaria)
- Upright brome ( (Bromus erectus)
- Small burnet (Sanguisorba minor)
Different types of rough meadows
Which flowers and herbs can be found on a poor meadow is mainly determined by the type of poor or dry meadow. In Germany (and in general in Central Europe) the sandy poor meadows and the calcareous poor meadows are particularly widespread.
Create lean meadow
In order to create a poor meadow, you must first thin the existing soil. If, for example, a lawn or a fat meadow is to be turned into a dry meadow, you first have to prevent the vigorous grasses from growing, because they crowd out slower-growing flowers and herbs. Since grasses need a lot of nitrogen to grow, you should stop all fertilization as a first step. Then proceed as follows:
- Cut the lawn / meadow as short as possible.
- Remove moss and dead grass with a rake.
- Prick out dandelions and other stubborn growths, including the roots.
- Scarify the area.
- If necessary, dig them up.
- Improve overly rich soil with a thick layer of soil-sand mixture.
- Crumble up larger clods of earth and rake the area smooth.
- Throw out the selected seed mixture for rough meadows over a large area.
- If you mix the seeds with sand, then the distribution will be more even.
- Lightly rake in the seeds and press down.
- Keep the area slightly moist, especially for the first few weeks.
Poor meadows should never be fertilized, as otherwise fast-growing grasses will regain the upper hand and species diversity will decrease.
tips and tricks
If possible, mow the poor meadow only once a year in September, even if the late-flowering plants have finished.