Real haymeadows developed over hundreds of years of traditional farming, but you can create your own imitation in just one ortwo. Phil Gates explains how. When we encounter a wildlife spectacle that stirs the soul, most of us try to preserve the moment by taking a photograph or maybe buying a souvenir, But after you've experienced the beauty of a haymeadow, there's another option. If you have a garden, you can create your dwn. Haymeadows are man-made habitats, created by forest clearance and maintained by centuries-old farming methods, By cutting hay after wildflowers shed their seeds and allowing animals to graze the 'aftermath', our farming ancestors created a habitat where a single meadow can hold 150 wildflower species - about 10 per cent of our total flora. One square metre alone can harbour 30 species. And by mimicking their methods, it's possible to recreate a living example of agriculture's finest contribution to biodiversity.
展开▼
