Once we decided to scale back on the number of pigs we keep, we wondered what to do with our ‘larger’ field. It had been well ‘rotovated’ by the pigs over the years!
Our dream would be to have a beautiful meadow in there, but when we started researching the cost it was going to be astronomically high! One guy suggested we use Round-up to clear the field first and then pay him thousands to come and spread meadow seed. Now, here, we’ve been here almost 16 years and never used any chemicals and that was his best suggestion. That is not going to happen.
Buttercup
Eventually we got to speak to a guy who made such wonderful sense! Don’t you love when you meet someone who understands what you’re at?
His suggestion was to just let the field lie for a year, and to take photographs once a month, of what is growing there. He believes that the pigs will have disturbed some dormant old seeds and plants, and the fact that we hadn’t used chemicals should mean there will be a lovely selection of wild herbs and flowers growing there.
I’ve decided to use the blog as my recording device, so here is a selection of the early May flowers.
Seems to be related to the ‘pea’ family?
Some of these I recognise…. others I don’t…. feel free to enlighten me!
We will do another tour during June, and keep you posted with what is growing in the field!
A Year In Redwood 
I love your idea ! The thought of using Roundup horrifies me .
I would mow it for hay in July and remove the crop some one eith horses or calves may take/buy it . The seeds would be returned to the soil and the swarth opened up to give flowers a chance to out compete the grasses . If you had access to Knapweed or Rattle you could collect seed and scatter on bate ground after harvesting hay . Keep it to patches tather than trying to cover whole field
Good Luck with your Endeavour .
Thank you John…. yes, RoundUp is totally evil! Will pass on your suggestions.
Margaret
Love it Margaret! What beautiful plants!
As the saying goes… weeds are flowers just growing in the wrong place!
I laughed out loud about using Roundup! I’m surprised Alfie didnt blow a gasket. Or maybe he did. Your plan sounds like a good one.
He did Mike! And this was from a very well known ‘meadow’ specialist here!
LAST photo looks like some form of cowslip or primrose . Thanks for not using roundup xxxx
Love the plan, Nature will provide!
Thank you Anna… it is almost time to do another round of photographs! At least we have rain today to help growth.