Tackle the rough grass

FARMERS are making hay right now. So if you have rough grass planted with daffodils and other spring bulbs, you may as well follow suit and cut it now. Daffodil foliage has withered and little bulbs, such as crocuses or scillas, will have seeded, thereby boosting flower numbers for years to come.

Set your mower or rough-cutter blades high for the first outing. If possible, leave the mown area to dry for a few days before raking up grass clippings for disposal.

By doing so, you will have enabled any wildflowers growing among the grass to have shed seed, too.

Rough grass with cowslips and other spring flora is becoming increasingly fashionable. As well as looking lovely in season, it’s great for pollinators. You can plant cowslips and other spring beauties, such as primroses, as plugs. These are usually supplied later, for autumn planting.

You could also grow your own from seed. Once the young plants are established, they will self-sow and, if happy, will create flower communities that will delight you in future years.

Do not confuse spring meadows with those of summer, though.

I have both, but on a small scale. Spring meadows, focusing on bulbs and early flowers, are cut back in June. They’re then regularly trimmed, though not close-mown, until winter.

Summer meadows are routinely left untouched until late in the season. I usually mow my minimeadow in August.

Online seed and plant suppliers include Naturescape ( nature

scape. co. uk) and Landlife

Wildflowers ( wildflower.co.uk).