We have been following the key guideline on managing grasslands in the action pack produced by the charity
Caring for God's Acre.
The timing of cutting has been based on managing long grass - in practical terms this means cutting in the spring and late summer,
planning for 12 to 16 weeks without cutting (anytime between mid-March and mid-August). This allows most of the plants to grow,
flower and set seed. The grass is cut late summer while it is still growing before all the strength of the plant has gone down
to the roots. All grass cuttings are collected and removed. This practice gradually reduces the nutrients in the soil leading to
slower grass growth and more flowers.
Pathways providing access through the meadow are regularly mown, as is the section alongside the memorial stones. Margins are kept
tidy but mostly left undisturbed.
In autumn 2019 Yellow Rattle seeds were planted in 10 scraped areas of approximately 2 square metres each which were chosen at random
in spaces between the gravestones, then in autumn 2020 more seeds were sown in 6 more scraped areas each about 1 square metre.
In 2021/2022 the Yellow Rattle was seen to have successfully re-established itself from seed.
In autumn 2020 Common Knapweed, Ladies Bedstraw and Cowslip seeds were sown in random areas with the Yellow Rattle, then in spring 2022
a mixture of wildflower seeds was sown by school children around the Philadelphus.
Autumn 2019 to 2021 Nettles were cleared by hand around the shed. Guelder Rose, Borage, Hellebore were planted, also wild daffodil bulbs.
Buddleia was planted by the hedge boundary, and crocus and snowdrops were planted by the Manor wall.
Over winter 2020 to 2021 weed suppressant fabric was used in patches by the Manor wall with some success and will continue to be used in 2022.
To reduce and help control the spread of vigorous invasive perennials by the Manor wall (mainly Green Alkanet) a non-residual compost
accelerator Ammonium sulphamate in solution was applied in early Spring 2022. (Nitrogen is the only left over after 2-3 months.)
This has cleared an area of Alkanet but some ground elder is still present, so weed suppressant fabric will continue to be used until
the winter. Once clear we hope to introduce less invasive native plants next spring. A similar approach is to be used in a patch by the shed.
