Q How should I buy and look after wildflower turf?
Jenni Thackwray, by email
AHUMAIRA SAYS There are lots of types of meadow turf available, for sun or shade, and in all colours of the rainbow. Many online suppliers will deliver too. Try wildflowerlawnsandmeadows.com or pictorialmeadows.co.uk, which was born out of a research programme at Sheffield University by Professor Nigel Dunnett, who was behind the amazing meadows at the London Olympic Park.
How and when you should lay your meadow turf depends on your circumstances, soil type and weather. The suppliers will provide full instructions on the best methods. It is just like regular turf in terms of watering, and you should avoid walking on it for four to six weeks, until it’s rooted in. You may want to do a mid-season cut for a second flush of flowers, or you could leave the seedheads for birds and other creatures to eat in autumn and winter.