Taking on a meadow can be both exciting and daunting. There is a plethora of advice available online, but it is often difficult to know where to start – especially if you are not sure just what kind of grassland you have or what would be the best management regime.
Here at Monmouthshire Meadows Group, our aim is to give members a helping hand by undertaking an initial botanical survey of their grassland, and providing them with management advice. Some of our members are keen on learning more about botanical identification, and so we offer wildflower ID days led by our botanists.
We have published a leaflet with basic advice on Managing Grassland for Wildlife
Our trustees are sharing their advice on Meadow management
In addition these organisations provide useful advice:
Plantlife is the leading charity supporting native plants and fungi in the UK. Their Good Meadow Guide is worth reading.
Plantlife has a site devoted to creating and managing meadows: Plantlife’s Meadows’ Hub
The Botanic Garden of Wales has undertaken extensive research on pollinators, and Dr. Kevin McGinn has distilled this into an excellent leaflet on wildlife-friendly lawns and garden meadows.
Gwent Wildlife Trust have developed a useful spotter guide to common wildflowers seen in unimproved neutral grassland in Monmouthshire. They have a series of Habitat Management Toolkits including advice on hay meadows and pastures.
Buglife also provides management advice with an emphasis on the benefits to pollinators.
For advice on contractors to use, where to get equipment and seeds, have a look at our Contractors and Suppliers list