The Trust organises for the grass to be cut annually and this year it took place on Sunday 5th July. The meadows looks very different and there are a number of benefits for carrying out this out each year.
By removing the grass, it stops the grass seeding to form a thick thatch which then can restrict the growth of new grass and native flowering plants and the life that goes with it.
Soil that is too rich is unable to sustain many wildflower species, so we aim to break the cycle in order to continually create better growing conditions for our wild flowers.
Grasses thrive on higher nutrient soils. By mowing, we not only weaken the grass plants but we reduce soil nutrient levels. This (in theory) suppresses the grasses so that they do not outcompete our flowering plants.
Therefore, it helps to create greater biodiversity on the meadow.
Additionally many fires which start in fields are due to very dry thatched grass that has been left to die back, by carrying out the annual hay cut the trust removes that risk.
Once cut the hay crop is baled and used as a winter feed and bedding for livestock and horses.
The hay baling took place om Tuesday 7th July and the trust captured a video of it in action;
