How often to mow flowery grass?

[Feldspar]

Not quite sure where to post this, but figured more people on here likely to know the answer.

I drilled some AB8 grass mixture with flowers in last autumn. It had quite a lot of annual weeds and grasses so I have mowed it at regular intervals. Have mowed about 4 times now which feels like quite a lot. Have left it for a while now and the grass is growing and some of the flower species are getting to flower and some are not (whether because it's too late for them?). Ideally I want to mow it one more time because there a few thistles and other weeds. What I'm not sure though is whether the flowers need to be able to set seed in order to survive. I know the clovers will be fine, but the other species I am less sure.

Here is a picture of what the field looks like now, and also a picture of the species in the mix.

 

[Thick Farmer]

Looks like it needs reseeding!

 

[Feldspar]

Looks like it needs reseeding!

Don't say that! The seed was rather expensive. Not to be repeated!

 

[RushesToo]

What I'm not sure though is whether the flowers need to be able to set seed in order to survive. I know the clovers will be fine, but the other species I am less sure.

Not sure where to start so some thoughts:
If you want it next year, then the annuals need to flower and drop seeds - height/time of the mower decides this.
The perennials will have roots down and come back - and most biennials.
It all looks rather sad and looks like it needs stock to graze it.

What do you want it to do might be a way to ask the same question and get some guidance?

 

[Feldspar]

Not sure where to start so some thoughts:
If you want it next year, then the annuals need to flower and drop seeds - height/time of the mower decides this.
The perennials will have roots down and come back - and most biennials.
It all looks rather sad and looks like it needs stock to graze it.

What do you want it to do might be a way to ask the same question and get some guidance?

Thanks for the reply.

It's part of a Mid Tier scheme so quite strict rules on what can and can't be done. It's a bit patchy because there were a huge number of annual weeds which swamped everything to start with. From now on I can mow it a few more times this year, but after that there one cut in the spring and then one cut after mid August (although can be grazed post mid August, but where we've used this option before the mixture is often of poor quality by this stage in the year, at least that's what I was told). Can't be reseeded and must be kept for 5 years.

I have googled most of the species and most of the flowering species seem to be either biennial or perennial. I'm a dunce for not knowing this, but given it was seeded last autumn, does this mean that it can survive not flowering this summer and do so successfully next year?

 

[hendrebc]

What will it be cut for next year? If it's just as a fallow or something does it matter that there are a few thistles in it? Can you spot spray it? What are the other weeds?

 

[Feldspar]

What will it be cut for next year? If it's just as a fallow or something does it matter that there are a few thistles in it? Can you spot spray it? What are the other weeds?

It's is cut beginning of April to suppress grass growth and favour flowering elements. It's not a disaster if there are a few thistles. Not practical to spot spray the area we have to look after. Odd bits of ragwort (which again like thistles I know has environmental value to some things). Groundsel the main issue. Will check again to see what else.

 

[RushesToo]

I have googled most of the species and most of the flowering species seem to be either biennial or perennial. I'm a dunce for not knowing this, but given it was seeded last autumn, does this mean that it can survive not flowering this summer and do so successfully next year?

Perrenials will come back, biennials might - they only flower in the second year, then die. If you cut the flowers they might come back for a third or might not. Species and to a certain extent luck dependant.

 

[JSmith]

Swamp it with sheep when it’s flowered, someone will be glad of it at some point!