1 May 2018
I. From lawns to flower meadows all across Europe
GERMAN
We want more quality of life and biological diversity.
So we’ll transform 'clean' lawns into species-rich meadows.
Land owners can start now. City-gardeners will - sooner or later - join in.
The media, however, should raise interest and keep it alive: Happy garden owners in morning shows, Virtual views of public parks, etc.
The fast way: Remove the turf with a spade. Loosen the soil and apply some sand. Sow an appropriate mixture of seeds (5-10 g per sqm) and lightly rake them in, roll the ground or tread down firmly using boards, then water with a fine jet. Water daily during the first week. Keep the meadow moist. Root out the weed. Do the mowing (only when most flowers have withered) with a scythe or a sickle bar mower. Leave the mown material for several days so that the plants can spread their seeds.
The slow way: Stop fertilizing the lawn. Impoverish the soil even further by repeatedly applying sand. Sow flower seeds little by little. Mow less frequently every year and - as soon as more flowers show up - only after flowering times.
The ideal locations are on nutrient-poor soils in sunny position. Spring time is the best time for sawing, but when the weather is mild, some seeds can be sown until mid-October. Certain plants require a cold stimulus for germination.
Flower meadows should not be entered, if possible. So you might establish a path. Or you will not transform the entire lawn into a meadow. And you can plant low-growing wild herbs like daisies, which are more resilient.
Sadly, there are downsides. Colourful flower meadows are habitats for beneficial organisms such as bees, bumble bees, butterflies, hedgehogs and birds, but also for mice and moles. Flower pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen give allergy sufferers a hard time. Persons with insect venom allergies can get life-threatening reactions. And certain insects transmit severe diseases such as encephalitis and borreliosis.
The environment becomes more beautiful, prosperous and perilous. Some of us will pay a high price. But we have no time to lose. The poisoners need our help. And if we want a fair, ecologically sustainable and globally responsible agiculture ...
I don’t want to concern myself with comments here.
Don't forget to have a good time!
Copyright © Harry Amon