Plant Blindness and how it’s killing our meadows
Plant Blindness: a phenomenon or idea that plants are always a background for other things.
Like many people, I’m a proud plant mom - I have about 10 house plants that I regularly forget to water and are often on the brink of survival!!! But I just love having the greenery and that little bit of nature inside.
Apart from house plants, is there anybody who doesn’t like being gifted a bunch of flowers? There really is no doubt that we all love plants, but when it comes to wild plants, meadows and nature, we don't seem to care as much.
The thing is, wildflower meadows are one of the most important habitats we have.
Statistics show that the UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows and this trend looks like the rest will be lost soon. Its quite insane to think about how this habitat has had such a decline in such a short space of time.
Now if you visit a wildlife meadow, you’re pretty much standing in one of the most threatened habitats, especially in the UK and Ireland!
So why is this happening?
Well, we like to build stuff. Housing developments, roads, shopping malls. Intensive farming practices, weed killer in our gardens and of course climate change, all kill off wildflower meadows.
The biggest worry for the decline of meadows is the increasing fragmentation of species-rich grasslands, which makes it harder for pollinators such as bees and butterflies to move through the landscape. Meadows support a complex ecosystem which we don’t really think about compared to other ecosystems such as jungles. Similarly, meadows are invisible to most people compared to forests and trees. But if you think about it, meadows are basically tiny little forests, full of a variety of plants that provide food and homes for all sorts of animals as well as keeping the soil and ground healthy.
Meadows are also essential to combat climate change, as the soils of meadows store carbon very effectively.
What can you do? Create your own wildflower garden or meadow!
Members of the public and local authorities are being urged to play their part in reversing the decline of the habitats.
(Source: Scottish Wildlife Trust)
Pick a poor patch of ground that hasn't been cultivated recently. Wildflower meadows establish best on unproductive soil
Check what sort of soil you have and its pH before you choose which seeds to sow
Control weeds by burying any vegetation to a depth of 15-20cm (6 to 8in)
Firm and rake the surface to make a seedbed
Don't be tempted to add manure or fertiliser as this will encourage "excessive vigour" in the grasses, which then swamp the wildflowers
Sow in the autumn, giving the seed time to settle in over winter. If you are on heavy clay, however, it is better to wait until spring
Ensure that the seed is scattered evenly.