When to Cut Your Meadow?

In this video we look at the best time to mow a meadow. Thank you for watching and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and turn ON the notification "bell" to get the latest video updates.

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#WhenToCutAMeadow #WildflowerMeadow #Meadow

[brianmcallister]

You're a credit to your profession sir!

[MUSTASCHO]

To my limited knowledge areas that are not cut and fold over, developing a lovely thick spongey layer of thatch, are very good for lots of creatures. Harvest mice and field voles for example need this kind of habitat to take cover, as they use tunnels made through the thatch. It is this rough grassland that owls need as their prey are primarily the small mammals that rely on the thatch layer. Presumably it is important hunting and hiding habitat for hedgehogs in gardens too, and I have seen frogs hunting in it.

These areas can be maintained by "topping off" the standing grass stems without touching the thatch beneath. Including these areas in a wildlife garden's mosaic of habitats surely amplifies the total value of the space.

[anemone]

Oh, good post!
One late autumn cut per year is a 'lowest common denominator' sheme, often advocated by those wanting minimum cost. Part of the rationale is that by cutting late, they allow maximum opportunity for seed set, but if there are no gaps in a dense sward, the opportunity for plants to germinate and establish is very small! In the absence of any grazing, mowing timing and frequency should be part of your management strategy, which in turn is dependant on what are your species of interest. If you have small species such as autumn ladies' tresses (ALT) or other orchids or some insect species or herpetiles, then if you only have 1 late cut a year you will lose those species due to competition by rank grasses. If you have ALT, you need to mow tight until July when the plants produce flowering spikes, leave 'til they are finished and then mow again.
Changing mowing timings and frequencies can be a good tool to change the composition of your sward. Don't forget that you can change annual or biannual species into facultative perennials by removing the flowering spikes before seed set, as well as extending flowering season in some cases.

So, the best plan is figure out what you already have (you may have nice surprises like the ALTs in the front lawn of my suburban semi so don't be in a hurry) and design your regimes accordingly. Me cutting my old terraced council house front lawn in Sept with a scythe became a spectator sport...

[geraldfox]

I live in a housing association block of flats. This year I've taken on the task of keeping out grassed areas short. This is because the association cuts the grass "haphazardly" and ends up with the cuttings getting everywhere; house, car and so on. I'm also doing it in order that there is an opportunity to sit out in the fine weather for the whole of the block of flats. I felt I should leave a couple of areas to "wild"! We have an area around the back of the "Bin Compound" which measures approximately 1.5m by 10-12m. I had been putting the grass cuttings around it, rather than in the waste bins, to create a mulch. The is also one running along the wall of one of the ground floor flats (which I haven't touched since its first cut at the end of April. I really have no idea about gardening, so whatever advice I can glean from you would be great! I've purchased a box of wild flower seeds for scattering onto the about area.

[LisaFernando]

My first year of meadow life so this video is very much appreciated, thank you 👍

[chord]

I really like your philosophy on protecting wild habitats . Good video .

[micksmusicchannel]

Great episode and clear explanation on the dilemma of when to cut.
Great that some areas are left uncut when you consider the wildlife need.
Hope you're well Joel and all the best to you and yours - mick.

[chrishainstock]

Thank you very much for this - it’s very informative and useful - really appreciate it

[markhunter]

Very informative video and the ladybird in the knapweed was pretty cool 🐞🐝

[SusanneAshcroft]

Thanks for mentioning leaving a bit uncut of the cuties!!!

[andreashofmeyr]

I have had this very discussion with members of my community group and totally agree with your rationalising!

[wildlifegardener-tracey]

Really helpful I can't grow a meadow due to the number of trees in my garden roots are a problem but so is leaf fall and shade. I do leave long patches that have some wildflowers Red campion, Jack by the hedge, oxeye daisy, cowslip etc and long grass is good for insects hiding and froglets so I cut these grass patches in September. But generally my patches look a little like under the apple trees in the video. I did cut the top off the grass in July by hand and found this helped with that collapsing state. Off to cut my patches now.

[helenfranks]

Thank you for the video. Very informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I now feel more confident about cutting down my garden meadow over the next couple of weeks.

[phongkieu]

I'm your fan and I'm from Vietnam

[Stuart]

Thanks for the info, I am a grounds supervisor for my local town council, we created a large wildflower meadow in one of our open spaces, it's done brilliantly and we're planning on strimming and raking off early September.

I am In process of planning to do more meadows in our other open spaces and in non active priory grave yard which we manage

[EasyHikes]

Thank you, Joel, for another very informative video🙂. I guess for most people September would be best as most blooms have finished and that's why I would stick with your advice when I get my meadow established, hopefully, next spring if all goes well. Cutting in the middle of July when most wildflowers are blooming makes no sense (to me anyway). I would want to enjoy the colour of the wildflowers and give pollinators and wildlife a chance to enjoy the food and nectar too. Have a great week! Laurie & Karen.

[charlieneilson]

Excellent video. I agree, knapweed has awesome value for nature. With smaller meadows (under an acre) I suggest scything those rank areas and, I also agree, best to hold of mowing until the Yarrow is slowing down in mid-Sept.

[woodlandsedge]

Great info we look after 4 sites and look after some road verges and are in constant debate over cutting schedules I like to work on 0nce a year September time

[PaulOutdoors]

A great watch and listen Joel. I have a wildflower meadow bordering my garden that got cut to within an inch of its life (with no buffer zones left) just as the knapweeds were about to flower, this after a very cold, wet spring and the bees in particular not yet utilising the hawthorn flowers so I was very concerned. Now, the meadow has recovered as it appears has the bee population. Butterflies were scarce but I am now seeing larger numbers although August was a strange overcast month with seemingly decent temperatures but feeling cold to me and a poor showing of both bees and butterflies with those bees that I did see being in a comatose state. Like you say, It's not an exact science but my preference is for a cut as late in the year as possible. Keep up the great, inspirational work. Paul 👍😊

[UkAmphibians]

20k subscribers congratulations Joel 👏🏻👏🏻 🐸💚🐸