A Guide to Wildflower Turf

Delivery of your Wildflower Turf®

Your Wildflower Turf will be delivered on a pallet in either rolls or slabs – dependent on the time of the year. It’s important that the turf is laid within 24 hours of delivery as it will quickly deteriorate if left on the pallet. However, if this is not viable, then remove the turf from the pallet, unroll and keep watered until it’s able to be laid.

Ensuring you prepare and maintain your Wildflower Turf is key to getting the perfect display! Follow our simple steps below to get the best out of the area!

Ground Preparation

1. Remove any existing weeds and debris from the area to create bare earth. 
2. Rotovate the soil to a minimum depth of 10cm to create a fine tilth. This can be done by using a rotovator or tiller, finished off with a metal soil rake to remove any remaining debris
3. Leave the area fallow after cultivation for 1-2 weeks to allow any weed seeds to germinate after being disturbed through cultivation. Remove before laying the turf

Turf Installation  

1. Water the area until saturated around 48 hours before laying the turf
2. Roll out the turf, pressing it down onto the surface to ensure good soil to root contact
3. Match up the ends of each roll of turf without overlapping of leaving gaps. Gaps in the turf will result in weed growth
4. Cut the turf to fit around any awkward shapes, pressing the turf firmly against the surface
5. Water the turf thoroughly immediately after laying the turf - ensure the soil beneath the turf is damp. Keep watering thoroughly within the first week to avoid the area drying out
6. Leave the turf to settle in, then a couple of days after laying, pull up a corner of the turf to check the roots are starting to knit into the soil

Maintenance Guide

Watering

Keeping the turf watered adequately during the first 2-3 weeks is essential in avoiding dried out turf. When watering, ensure the turf is getting enough water by lifting up a corner of the turf and checking the soil below is damp. Within the couple of weeks, keep the area well-watered, especially during dry spells. Once fully established, the turf will be able to cope with most circumstances, but would still benefit from an occasional water during drought periods.

Soil Fertility  

Wildflowers prefer poorer soils, so no fertiliser is needed. However, if your Wildflower Turf has been installed in areas around trees where leaf material is likely to gather, remove immediately as to avoid this turning into mulch returning into the soil, adding to soil fertility.

Mowing Regime

The maintenance of your Wildflower Turf is easy and simple! Once fully established, the area will need very little maintenance except for one cut every Autumn. Cutting the area in the Autumn and allows an open sward which is a vital part of the wildflowers growth cycle to continue year on year.

Cut the area around Autumn once the plants have set and shed their seeds. The area can be cut using a strimmer or mower, cutting to a length of around 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm). Ensure the cuttings are gathered and removed to avoid adding nutrients to the soil.

----------

Have a patch of garden that you'd like to use for wildflowers but maybe wildflower turf isn't the option for you? Then maybe wildflower seeds or individual wildflower plants could be the answer. Perfect for sowing in the spring months for summer flowering, our extensive range of wildflower seed mixes are great for adding a splash of colour to your garden borders - as well as a much needed boost for the environment!