Woodland

jodles16

Haha hadn't even thought about the agricultural aspect, but no its included as garden with the house as far as I can tell from the reading, its to small for horses really which is why they are selling, no restrictions as it is garden! But good point to be aware of!

Jodles

lostinrates

Davesnave wrote: »

You can have an allotment though, and an orchard.

Planting woodland is generally encouraged, especially on marginal agricultural land, though if this has had horses on it, it may be equestrian, because horses aren't 'agriculture.'

There again,at just under an acre, it may already have garden status.

Anyway, if you live in the wilds and don't get involved with DEFRA, government subsidies etc people generally don't notice what you're doing! :shhh:

If its horse GRAZING it may still be agriculture davesnave. We can graze horses on agricultural land pretty much permanently.

Equestrian use is rarely that protected though. . Woodland over it would usually be seen favourably. Often no pp needed to clarify, just a phone call.

cyclonebri1

Another thing to bear in mind is that your local farmer won'y view it to favourably if you cast shade from 60ft high trees over his prime land, not that that would be your worry however.

There's an old adage in gardening circles, "He who plants trees thinks of overs than himself", well I recall that being pretty close;)

Kojak12

Wildflower meadows are easy to establish and a cheap option for a large area. You can buy seed mixes of native plants and just sprinkle them on the bare ground to boost what’s there. In terms of maintenance all they need is a couple of mowings per year. If you don't have a decent mower/strimmer you should be able to get a local farmer to do it for you - just make sure you design in some access for the machine.

The mowing ensures the flowering rate is good and re-seeding happens. You can buy generic mixes, ones that support birds and bees, and some for woodland areas, wetlands, marsh.........Have fun with it. The good news is they re-seed themsleves each year and the plants that suit the conditions will thrive.

Buy from a reputable supplier who sources their seeds sustainably. This is a good one;
http://www.bostonseeds.com/products/2/Wildflower-Seed-and-Plants/47/Wildflower-Seed-Mixtures-100/

lostinrates

Not checked that link but a lot of the seed mixes have concerned me.

If you are sowing next to grazing land please check none of the contents have plants toxic to grazing animals. A very large number do.

Other generic mixes have lovely plants but not native to areas or even uk, We've loved those we had in our back garden this year.....but they included non British varieties ( a cheaper mix).

Davesnave

lostinrates wrote: »

Not checked that link but a lot of the seed mixes have concerned me.

My concern isn't for the grazing animals so much, because I have them securely excluded, but for the gardener who thinks that creating a wildflower meadow is as easy as scattering a few, or many, seeds.

Well established grasses, especially those that have been fed or mulched in the past, may be growing on quite fertile soil, and this is not what native meadow plants want. It doesn't matter who does the mowing, unless the grass is picked-up, you won't closely mimic a hayfield....and picking up grass is a terrible faff.

This is why I don't bother with mimicking anything. Rather than seeds, I put in spare plants that are insect-friendly. Even easy wild flowers, like fleabane, are raised in pots and transplanted. Then all I have to do is remember where they are and not strim them flat! :rotfl: If only!

Lir, the most successful wild flower I have growing on the edge of my new woodland is birdsfoot trefoil. I didn't put it there. It just arrived. I might need to control it, and I would if it's on your harmful to grazing animals list. Is it?

lostinrates

In many cases its actually beneficial Davesnave .


My particure groipe is some thing sold as a 'meadow' mix ( and often available in large packs by specialist companies, should be suitable to be used as a 'meadow'. On one very grumpy day I called a company about a claim and their answer was it wasn't their job to know what was mildly or fatally toxic to what, but that they could make me a mix to my requirements ...

I think the toxic ones deserve places too fwiw, but away from aways they can easily seed neighbouring land or where you might let a trio of sheep run, or a pair of pet goats.......or even your kids' pet rabbits. Front gardens in urban and suburban areas might be perfect, and parks. Many are the SOLE resource for some bugs and butterflies, so we do need them, its just a matter of where. Wouldn't wild flowers on central reservations be nice?

Davesnave

lostinrates wrote: »

In many cases its actually beneficial Davesnave .

Good, because it looks set to spread around.

My garden also borders grazing, and there's all kinds of things in there! Despite that, I've not seen any 'escapes' yet, and I'm sure I would see them.

RAS

jodles16 wrote: »

We made an offer on the house in April so have seen it through the whole of summer, its literally just a field used for cattle and sheep before horses!

Whose cattle and sheep before horses?

You have checled that there are no agricultural tenancies on the land (anyone who uses a piece of land unhindered for a whole year is an agricultural tenant even if they have never been granted a paper tenancy).

Kojak12

For lostinrates;

Toxic plants. Decent seed suppliers do ranges of paddock, game and similar mixes too. They are not flower heavy but they are safe and would be good for birds.

None Native Seeds - Reputable suppliers are registered with organisations like Flora Locale and work with the RSPB and Woodland Trust because they know the difference between native and none native. That's why I would always buy from a specialist (who has a reputation to protect) not a supermarket or cheap importer.