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Wild flower beds

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  • 25-02-2012 10:59pm
    #1
    dbyrne
    Registered Users Posts: 251 ✭✭


    I was watching bbc2 there during the week and I saw a program about the reintroduction of wild flowers into citys and towns. It was very interesting to see places like Liverpool and Sheffield replacing grass areas in public places with fields and borders with a large selection of wild flowers. There was a massive amount of bees, butterflys etc in the wild flover beds and I would like to see if I could help nature in my garden. I have put a link below to her website.

    http://www.sarahraven.com/beesbutterfliesblooms

    So it got me thinking, Im redoing my garden over the next few months. I will have 7 raised beds in the garden, 3 will be for veg (good rotation) 2 for general flowers, apple trees etc and I am now going to give 2 beds for wild flowers. I might add these 2 beds to the veg rotation to help the soil, etc. I might give 1 bed to annuals and 1 to Perennials.

    What I am wondering is has anyone done this in their garden, and if so did they have much success? Also where can I get a good wild flower mix, I would like to try a mainly Irish seed mix of annuals and Perennials instead of introducing foreign flowers to the garden from garden centres that are based in UK/Europe mix.

    Thanks in advance.


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    #2
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 49,529 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    one thing i don't remember her mentioning, and something i've often heard about wildflower meadows, is that it helps to have low fertility soil; as it helps the flowers compete with grasses.


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    #3
    mar48
    Registered Users Posts: 2,717 ✭✭✭mar48


    HI, have you tried this garden forum, they give really good advice. I'm sure you will find it helpful. I use it a lot for any of my gardening queries. Good luck with your garden! http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/index.php?sid=8dbaa60edff85b4545625984207fcb5d


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    #4
    planetX
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,441 ✭✭✭planetX


    Better to take a piece off the end of your lawn, strip off all the topsoil, and sow a wildflower mix in grass. Or if you have a really poor lawn like I do - just stop mowing:D


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    #5
    greenart
    Registered Users Posts: 36 ✭greenart


    I watched the programmes also. Its very inspiring and definitively worth creating some areas for wildflowers. Particularly to help save our own Native wildflowers.
    Here is a link to an Irish wildflower grower Sandro Cafolla. His site is particularly good and has lots of advice and tips.
    http://www.wildflowers.ie/


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