Wildflowers in paddock

spalpeen

Hi all,

There is a paddock beside my parents house and as I couldnt convince them to have wildflower area in the garden, they have agreed to let me sew wildflowers in the paddock. I have a question or two.

Is it possible to have a 'no maintenance' wildflower meadow area that literally never needs to be cut? My parents are getting older which is why i ask. Having said that, I am planning on starting with a small area.

A horse also grazes in the paddock. I assume then that the area should be cordoned off? Is there any particular area of the field I should avoid? eg near buachalans, trees, near the ditch? should it be the sunniest or least sunny part of the meadow?

i presume I will need to dig up/scarify the ground first. when is the best time to sew?

ttnov77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058290720/wildflowers-in-paddock

Well every wildflower meadow should be cut at least in autumn. As you mentioned there is a horse so yes it needs to be fenced of, but why not make a gate and in the autumn let the horse graze is down and then close again in winter so will flower again next year.

Now its good time to sow, you can read some more here https://www.growitbio.com/post/irish-native-wildflowers-area-preparation-sowing-and-maintenance

Sunny spot is best but there are special mixes for shady or boggy areas too https://www.growitbio.com/irish-native-wildflowers

funkey_monkey

If you plant a wildflower garden close to your property are you inviting a greater number of flies/etc into your house during the summer months?

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120501188#Comment_120501188

I hope you live in a block of flats.

funkey_monkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120501299#Comment_120501299

?

Bungalow in country.

looksee

It doesn't seem likely, any more than a flower garden would mean flies/insects in your house. If the insects are interested in the flowers why would they bother going into the house. The worst bugs for coming into the house tend to be mozzies and cluster flies and neither of those are affected one way or the other by flowers.