Kingston University Biodiversity Action Group

12-03-11 : Wildflower meadow roadtrip!

We spent a sunny day creating wildflower areas across some of our campuses....


Sowing strips of wildflowers into our existing grassed areas will really help to brighten up the campus. The main reason for our hard work though is that these wildflower meadow areas, although on a small scale, will provide food and shelter for insects, birds and small mammals.
We started our day at Kingston Hill, concentrating first on creating a long strip of wildflowers near to the community garden, and then looking at the sloping area opposite the Nightingale center.

To create a good seed bed, we first 'turfed' the existing grass - removing all of it including the roots. We then created a fine seed bed by loosening the underlying soil, and breaking down any clods of earth.



After mixing our wildflower meadow seed with sand (this makes it easier to sow) we scattered it across our seed bed and then lightly trod it in.





Our next stop was Middle Mill halls of residence, where we transformed a disused vegetable garden.







Our last job of the day was to rescue the herb and fruit plants that were at Middle Mill....




...by moving them over to the Penrhyn Road community garden, where they look very happy indeed!



Thanks to everyone that helped out on the day, and especially to the girl that gets you places, minibus driver Rhiannon!


p.s. Biodiversity spot of the day was at Kingston Hill... 


...its either a Stag beetle or Cockchafer (May bug) larvae, but I can't decide which (we definitely have both species at Kingston Hill). Are there any beetle fans that can help us?

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