We can assist with the annual harvesting and off-site disposal of wild flower meadow and wild grass meadow habitat schemes.
We have access to a wide range of equipment from swinging hammer flail or finger bar mowers, both self propelled or excavator mounted, through to compact tractors with a flail collector enabling the arisings to be harvested and relocated to a suitable composting area or to be taken off site.
It is deemed best practice to collect the arisings to prevent further enrichment of the soil if left behind as a mulch, because the wildflowers prefer a poor (low fertility soil) and the accompanying grass variety’s will thrive in a fertile soil, thus overtaking and becoming dominant.

When to cut your meadow
Both newly created and well-established perennial meadows need cutting, but the methods and timings are different. The following cutting routine applies to both perennial meadows and mixed meadows (that contain perennial and annual plants).

Cutting new meadows
It’s important to mow your new perennial or mixed meadow regularly in the first year after sowing, to encourage the perennial flowers and grasses to make strong root growth.
Cut to a height of 5cm (2in), about six to eight weeks after the seedlings appear, and repeat every two months throughout the first summer. These cuts can be lower, at 4cm (1½in).
After the first year, follow the guidance for established meadows below.

Cutting established meadows
Established perennial and mixed meadows can be cut at several specific times in the year. There are three main timings, depending on how vigorous the grass is growing and which wildflowers you want to encourage. Carrying out one or more of these cuts will keep your meadow in good shape:

Spring cut – this is useful for meadows where the grass is lush and is crowding out the wildflowers. Cut to a height of 7.5cm (3in) and complete no later than the end of April. Also see No Mow May, below. Sowing yellow rattle in August (see Problem solving, below) is an additional way to help manage grass-dominant meadows.

Main summer cut – this is also referred to as the ‘hay cut’ and removes the bulk of the material, which should either be composted or baled. This cut is done between late June and the end of August, depending on which plants you want to encourage.
Cutting towards the start of this period favours spring flowers, such as cowslips, lady’s smock, selfheal and bugle. August cutting favours summer flowers, such as knapweed, devil’s bit scabious and lady’s bedstraw.

Autumn cut – this is particularly useful on fertile ground, to use up the nutrients. One or two cuts between the end of August and late November removes surplus growth and helps to keep grasses at bay, letting the wildflowers thrive.
Following the last cut of the season, all meadows can be kept mown, so the grass is short and neat through the winter. With any cut that produces substantial clippings, they should be removed and composted, to further reduce soil fertility.

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To see how we can help with your wildflower meadow maintenance and contract flail mowing requirements in the Chichester and surrounding South Downs areas Including
•Walberton •Arundel •Madehurst •Fittleworth •Petworth •Slindon • Eartham •Halnaker •Lavant •East and West Ashling • Funtington •Bosham •Chidham •Birdham •Dell Quay •Itchenor •West Wittering