Sowing new Exmoor meadows

from Molton Monthly Magazine July 2023

School's Eco award

An appeal has been launched to help create new wildlife rich meadows on Exmoor.

People are being urged to donate to the CareMoor for Exmoor ‘Sowing the Seeds’ fund to help the project grow - if you take part you can receive an Exmoor Meadows greetings card and certificate (pictured right).

The money raised will help fund new equipment and training, and a new wildflower nursery is being developed.

“Meadows attract a multitude of wildlife and often support flora and fauna that struggle to thrive in other habitats,” said Lucy Cornwall, the Sowing the Seeds Project Officer.

“Species-rich meadows are ‘climate sinks’ which help combat climate change. Diverse and deep-rooted plants store a substantial amount of carbon in soil, and permanent grasslands help to protect soils which can mitigate against soil erosion and flooding.”

Donations can be made at national park centres or online: caremoorforexmoor. enthuse.com/cf/sowing-the-seeds-appeal

Molton Monthly is an Exmoor National Park Partner, helping to promote its work helping to heal nature where we live and work.

Jobs to do in July

1. Cutting back plants in baskets followed by feeding can encourage new growth and help revive tired displays.

2. Cut back Delphiniums and Geraniums after the first flush of flowers to encourage a second flowering period. Feed after cutting back.

3. Take softwood cuttings from shrubs such as Pyracantha, Cotinus, Hydrangeas and Spiraea.

4. Sow biennials, such as foxgloves, honesty, forget-me-nots and wallflowers, for blooms next year.

5. Make sure you leave a dish of fresh water out for the birds and hedgehogs.

The bedding plant season for this year has only just finished, but we are already planning for next year!

Later this month we will be off to Banbury for the Summer Showcase at Ball Colegrave. We buy most of our plug plants from them, and this is our opportunity to view all of their new plants which will be available for you in 2024.