@McRazz Can I ask if there was any extra watering of the seed after sowing? Was it just left to its own devices?
The key is to time the sowing with the seasons to ensure you don't have to as you want the roots to grow down into the moisture rather than concentrate on higher level root production. Hence March & September being the optimal months for sowing.
The 2012 meadows actually had an automated sprinkler system which ran on a seasonal schedule that was informed by rain/moisture sensors.
It is worth bearing in mind that they were unlike most conventional wildflower 'meadows' as they were a 100% annual mix so they could be seeded later (May) and had different growing needs and characteristics to a perennial meadow. They were also seeded on steep banks AND the topsoil/subsoil layers were all built up from ~800mm below AND the topsoil was a very sandy mix. As a consequence it didn't quite retain enough moisture so they really did depend on the sprinkler systems to subsidise all that lost moisture
2012 was a notoriously poor spring from memory, if we have another dry spring like 2020 or 2022 (here in E-Sussex) then I would definitely consider artificially watering when the ground starts to look parched and the germination stunted.
@McRazz Very interesting. It's not a problem to sow in March if night frosts continue into April/May?
March is ideal because certain species such as Rhinanthus require vernalisation, i.e. cold weather, to germinate.
Prolonged cold & damp conditions can be problematic as seed can rot when waterlogged but i've never had this issue as this will be linked to site drainage.
I'm actually planning to overseed a small area this weekend. The weather doesn't look great but its fairly warm so i'm not overly worried.
Hi @McRazz - I've been sorting out annual seeds ready for sowing this Sunday and bought some extra flax seeds this morning plus a perennial mix said to attract birds. Just a few more seeds to sort out now and a bag of dry sand to help spread them evenly.
I started raking the bed but got rained off and is forecast to continue wet tomorrow. Should be dry by Sunday tho and I'll have a sprinkler at hand just in case.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Hi @McRazz - I've been sorting out annual seeds ready for sowing this Sunday and bought some extra flax seeds this morning plus a perennial mix said to attract birds. Just a few more seeds to sort out now and a bag of dry sand to help spread them evenly.
I started raking the bed but got rained off and is forecast to continue wet tomorrow. Should be dry by Sunday tho and I'll have a sprinkler at hand just in case.
Hopefully it doesn't attract the birds too soon!!!
I'll sow generously @McRazz and maybe hang some CDs and twirly things as we have a hen wandering about and sparrows which nest in the roof of the hen house plus more in the neighbour's cow byres and the starlings, collared dovesand all the little brown jobs..........
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Posts
The 2012 meadows actually had an automated sprinkler system which ran on a seasonal schedule that was informed by rain/moisture sensors.
It is worth bearing in mind that they were unlike most conventional wildflower 'meadows' as they were a 100% annual mix so they could be seeded later (May) and had different growing needs and characteristics to a perennial meadow. They were also seeded on steep banks AND the topsoil/subsoil layers were all built up from ~800mm below AND the topsoil was a very sandy mix. As a consequence it didn't quite retain enough moisture so they really did depend on the sprinkler systems to subsidise all that lost moisture
2012 was a notoriously poor spring from memory, if we have another dry spring like 2020 or 2022 (here in E-Sussex) then I would definitely consider artificially watering when the ground starts to look parched and the germination stunted.
Prolonged cold & damp conditions can be problematic as seed can rot when waterlogged but i've never had this issue as this will be linked to site drainage.
I'm actually planning to overseed a small area this weekend. The weather doesn't look great but its fairly warm so i'm not overly worried.
I started raking the bed but got rained off and is forecast to continue wet tomorrow. Should be dry by Sunday tho and I'll have a sprinkler at hand just in case.