Unimproved grasslands can support up to 50 kinds of grasses and wildflowers including such scarce and attractive 'indicators' as Dyer's Greenweed, Pepper Saxifrage, Green-winged Orchid, Betony, and Sneezewort.

Do you think you own a species-rich grassland?

If so we recommend the following information sheets. Please do not hesitate to contact the Weald Meadows Officer if you would like some free advice.

pdf Introductory booklet - Wildflower grasslands in the Weald of Kent, Sussex and Surrey
(759 KB) Introductory hints and tips on grassland history and traditional management with an A3 poster on one side inside showing key Weald ancient meadow wildflower and grass species and insects.

pdf Information Sheet 2 How to Manage a Wildflower Meadow
(86 KB) Includes a  traditional meadow management and pasture management calendar.

pdf Information Sheet 3 Weed Control in Wildflower Meadows
(113 KB) In traditional species rich grassland 'weed' such as Docks, Creeping Thistles and Ragwort are rarely a problem. However, if grassland is left unmanaged or subject to overgrazing/disturbance or artificial inputs weed problems can arise. Try mechanical methods first - then try spot weed control.

NEVER SPRAY AN AREA BEFORE IT HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY SURVEYED TO DETERMINE THE SPECIES IT CONTAINS.

pdf Information Sheet 4 How to test soil nutrients before creating a wildflower meadow (109 KB)

This is useful as a first stage in meadow management or before any drastic changes in management are made. Use a local agent to test the soil if possible and use the resulting analyses to determine the previous management of a site or the suitability for enhancing the species variety with an appropriately sourced seed such as Weald Native Origin Wildflower and Grass Seed (WNOS).