Currently, most new hay meadows across the Lake District are created by plug planting, which involves planting seedlings which have been grown elsewhere. This meadow, however, was created by using seeds from the donor meadow, whose grasses and flowers were cut and spread onto the new field. This method is called ‘green hay transfer’ and can only be done between neighbouring fields as seeds must be sown within an hour of collection. With the right preparations this method is highly successful as the plants are already adapted to the wet Cumbrian climate and soil type.
Claire Cornish, Grassland Officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust said, “The National Trust is making really positive steps and it’s fantastic to be able to bring some of these meadows back to their full glory. Restoring grassland is a slow process but with more tenants on board it should start to make a real difference across these traditional farmsteads.”
The field at Acorn Bank was prepared last year and is expected to flower for the first time this summer with species such as oxeye daisies, meadow vetchling, red clover, yellow rattle and common knapweed. Although slow to establish, meadow grasslands become more colourful and plentiful as each year passes. In addition to their beauty, these grasses and herbs provide shelter and food for bees and butterflies plus birds, hedgehogs and bats which feed on insects. Acorn Bank’s meadow is eight acres so, once established, is likely house over a tonne and a half of insects and the long grassland will also provide valuable cover for nesting birds and mammals like brown hares.
