Grassland Management

Managing meadows and other grasslands

Traditionally, hay meadows are typically ‘shut up’ for hay (livestock is excluded) for several weeks over much of the spring and summer, and, after cutting, the fields are aftermath grazed.  After cutting, the hay is turned at least once a day to allow the crop to dry. This process typically takes about three days and allows seeds to drop onto the soil.

The cutting and removal of the arisings prevents both a dense ‘thatch’ establishing and nutrients from building up in the soil, thus benefitting the wildflowers that thrive in the poorer soils we associate with meadows.

Some grasslands are only grazed (which can be the preferred option traditionally for calcareous and acid grassland), and some are just cut for hay and some are managed with both grazing and cutting.

Key aims for meadow management: 

-          reduce or maintain lower soil nutrient levels
-         prevent succession to scrub and woodland habitats
-         maintain or enhance structure
-         maintain enhance floristic diversity

Most communities will only be able to cut grassland areas, however there will be some exceptions. Here are some key things to consider when enhancing, creating or managing grassland habitats:

- Higher nutrient content = often these grasslands need more management to prevent them turning to scrub / woodland. Scrub will usually have plants which have a competitive advantage such as coarse grasses and species which are considered as ‘weeds’, such as creeping thistle, bramble and nettle. Scrub management is usually necessary on calcareous grassland to prevent it taking over, although pockets of scrubland are a key component for calcareous landscapes and bring all the wildlife benefits of mosaic habitats.

- Think about what conditions you have – that will decide the management needed

- Find out what’s already there- soil, species mix, seed bed, neighbouring habitats, water content

- Consider the practical aspects of management (cost, time, resources, size of plot, what’s already there vs the aim) o Adaptability – there isn’t usually a magic wand approach, be prepared for there to be different options and methods depending on the site and what you want to achieve

- Consider how the site will be used by the community – this may also change the management approach

Celebrate all grasslands!

Remember that all grasslands are important and have their role in Nature Recovery. Not every space is appropriate for wildflower meadows but that doesn’t mean that other types of grassland shouldn’t be considered or appreciated.

a)     If you’re just starting out – use the communityguide to help you get started
b)     Find out what you’ve already got
c)     Use the resources below for more detail on grassland management
d)     If you still need help, get in touch with us for grassland management advice – we may ask for a donation to cover our Community Ecologists time depending on what you need.