The grass on our estate lacks diversity and leaving it to grow long all summer achieves little for nature and quickly looks untidy.
In collaboration with Incredible Edible Lambeth (IEL), and inspired by the success of the Bee Roads Flower Meadow in 2024, we have finalised our plans to plant 1 wildflower bed and 1 shady long grass area on our estate. IEL advised PRERA to concentrate on smaller areas, allowing us to do those areas well, and creating planted features across the whole estate for everyone’s benefit. All suggested locations have been identified in consultation with IEL based on sun/shade, visibility and benefit for the most residents, not blocking pathways, and approval from Lambeth Landscapes grass cutting and tree teams. The seeds and equipment have been funded through IEL, and all the research and planning has been by PRERA resident volunteers.
Wildflower bed planting – Saturday 08.03.25
A wildflower bed approx. 4x4m in the middle of the estate near to our existing fruit trees.
This will involve:
- Taking the top layer of turf off (can extend in the future with more funding).
- Forking over the subsoil.
- Spreading approx 75mm of low fertility soil – which will allow the seeds to thrive rather than the grass – we will have the soil delivered as close as possible to the site.
- Scattering a wildflower seeds mix across the bare earth and treading it in.
- Covering the area with garden fleece and pegging it down to protect the seeds while they establish , then finally surround the area with some plastic net fencing.
- The fleece will then be removed once the weather has warmed and the seeds have germinated.
- The beds will be low maintenance going forward. The flowers will be left to grow every spring and then will be cut in late summer.
Volunteers are needed to help clear the area of turf, stones and debris, scattering wildflower seed mix across the bare earth, treading the soil down, and covering and securing the sheeting. This will be overseen by gardening group leads and clear instruction and equipment will be provided. Volunteers will not be required to use a mechanical turf striper!
Shady wildflower planting – Saturday 15.03.25
IEL also identified a location on Palace Road/Bushell Close as a prime shady area to add additional plug plants to, and leave to grow long spring to summer every year.
This will involve the planting of 104 plug (little) plants at 4 per square meter that will improve the variety of grass and flowers. This is a useful way of quickly establishing plants, particularly in existing grass. These British wildflowers aren’t just attractive and good sources of nectar, but they’re also essential foodplants for butterfly and moth larvae. The species should include Autumn Hawkbit, Basil, Betony, Birds Foot Trefoil, Chamomile, Common Catsear, Cowslip, Daisy, Dandelion, Dog Violet, Field Mint, Field Woodrush, Germander Speedwell, Ground Ivy, Harebell, Hoary Plantain, Lady’s Bedstraw, Maiden Pink, Meadow Buttercup, Mousear Hawkweed, Primrose, Red Clover, Ribwort Plantain, Selfheal, Sorrel, White Clover, Yarrow, Yellow Toadflax
IEL have provided us with 104 plants that need planting! Volunteers are needed to get on their hands and knees and as a team plant the plug plants into the grass. We won’t be able to do the whole area, but will select patches to focus on. The rest of the grass on that area (shown in red) will left to grow long over the summer and will be cut late August/early September.
Map of plan
The plan is shown on the map below.
