Q I’d like to re-wild my large lawn, but how do I then manage it?
Ann Fisher, Clyde coast
A
BOB SAYS Reduce excess fertility by removing the mowings - rake them up and store in heaps.
They’ll break down and can be used as mulch around fruit trees and shrubs or as thatch on top of a wildlife log pile. You can cut different areas in different seasons.
Vigorous perennial weeds such as stinging nettles will tend to dominate, so control any large clumps by cutting back hard a few times each growing season.
Established mats of strong grass prevent ‘nicer’ plants establishing, as most need bare soil to start with. So dig out areas of turf or cover until the grass underneath yellows and dies. Then sow or plant wildflowers into the bare areas, so they get established before more competitive plants.