Meadow Maker

Monday 5th July 2021

Today was supposed to be my first day seed harvesting for the Glorious Cotswolds Grasslands project Glorious Cotswold Grasslands - Cotswolds National Landscape (cotswoldsaonb.org.uk). Not surprisingly cancelled due to the strange weather this year. I watched a talk this evening Making Meadows: Restoring Vital Habitat at Bowber Head Farm by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust as I thought that was appropriate!

One of the presenters has the job title grassland meadow maker trainee how amazing is that! It is a program funded by Plantlife: The Wild Plant Conservation Charity restoring 100 meadows and funding the training of young people as meadow advisors. A very interesting talk with similarities to what we are doing in the Cotswolds.

Most important thing to know? Sow yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor - is is actually called the meadow maker! How to grow Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) (plantlife.org.uk). It is a hemi-parasitic annual which means that it gets its nutrients from surrounding plants (typically grasses) and therefore those grasses are smaller and less vigorous giving everything else a chance to grow.

I will be seed harvesting next Monday - I need to brush up on that plant identification. Ed also said that I will learn a lot about insects as well!