The conversation around UK native wildflower seed is one that is of increasing importance, especially when we consider that 97% of the UK’s grassland has been destroyed since the 1930s, and non-native species now outnumber UK native wildflower species across the country. The issue is that non-native species can become invasive, outcompeting the native species.
UK native wildflower species are an essential component to biodiversity and our native pollinator communities, they are also already playing an important role in the Biodiversity Net Gain – with locally sourced, traceable seed preferred by ecologists.
At Bright Seeds, our current approach is to harvest our own UK native wildflower seed directly from established meadows, benefitting from our expertise and a portfolio of excellent local sites.
Now we have finished harvest, we thought it would be interesting for our readers to learn more about the process, and some of our primary outcomes.
Site Selection for UK Native Wildflower Seed
In our selection process, we look for UK native wildflower meadows with a high level of species diversity, a traceable history since establishment and preferably, habitats that are compatible with the soil type within the 100 mile radius that we cover. The ideal site is one that hasn’t been ploughed, is managed or monitored in an ecologically conscious manner and contains comprehensive range of species.
However, this can be challenging to find on a commercially viable scale due to the previously mentioned decline in our native meadows. Therefore, we find ourselves securing more sites that have seen involvement from organisations such as Natural England and The Wildlife’s Trust to help aid in their sustainable management programmes.
Our current sites are predominantly located within the Wessex region. These range from the Cotswolds in the north, Winchester in the east, Poole in the south and Exeter in the west.
Our harvested UK native wildflower seed
The Harvesting Process – UK Native Wildflower Seed
Clients often ask questions about how we get our UK native wildflower seed from the field to customer. It is an intricate process that requires skills and expertise. These skills are what make Bright Seeds one of the only seed suppliers in the UK that is capable of harvesting its own native wildflower seed on a commercial level.
The process is as follows:
- Complete a site assessment in the spring to evaluate the field condition, species present, general sward density, and specific access requirements. As of this year, this also included an NVC (National Vegetation Classification) survey by independent ecologists to accurately determine the habitat classification, helping to improve our supply of wildflower seed to customers. We are aiming to complete this on at least six meadows per year.
- Harvest the site using our team of combines and skilled, experienced drivers
- Transport the seed to our drying floor direct from the field. It will remain here for 5-20 days, depending on the yield and moisture content post-harvest. Currently, our drier is off-site. However, we are in the process of building our own drying floor at Dean Lane Farm (Bright Seeds HQ).
- The seed is brought back to Dean Lane Farm and weighed off to record the uncleaned weight. The seed sample is then cleaned, removing the bulk of excess plant material and other non-seed content for meadow stock.
- Once cleaned to our satisfaction, we send a sample of the mixture to an independent expert for analysis. This will produce a full species breakdown with % of each by weight.
- The seed is then ready to be shipped out to customers.
Although the process is, in principle, the same for all meadows mixtures and species, we do have to tinker with cleaning equipment as UK native wildflower seed vary dramatically in size, shape and appearance.
Harvested Rings Wiltshire
Environmental and Agronomic Benefits
The growing and harvesting of UK native wildflower seed carry numerous benefits.
As we’ve mentioned, native wildflower species are beneficial to native pollinator populations. Therefore, increasing the area of native wildflower meadows installed across the country can only be helping biodiversity. Additionally, seed that we supply is often for large scale projects that involve long-term management plans specifically designed for the benefits habitat creation.
Wildflower species can greatly benefit soil health, with the roots creating channels throughout the soil, which plays a pivotal role in increasing the stability, structure and aeration in the soil. The roots also help to bind soil participles together. This all helps reduce the risk of soil erosion and compaction.
Likewise, soil biodiversity is assisted, with UK native wildflower species supporting a range of beneficial bacteria, fungi and insects that help to breakdown organic matter in the soil. Some wildflowers – mostly legumes – have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen to a format that is usable by plants.
An additional benefit of our set up is the locally sourced seed which is supplied by habitat type and geographical proximity, ensuring the right seed is supplied to the right projects from the very beginning.
What Next?
Manging our meadows and supplying our customers with the best UK native wildflower seed requires work and thought all year round. So next on the list we must:
- Complete cleaning of all our sites to the Bright Seeds standard
- Continue to work with customers for the planning of their 2025 seed requirements whilst matching our mixtures to their individual projects
- Begin discussions with landowners of potential sites for next year’s harvest
- Undertake harvest review, focussing on yields, costs and processes.
We are very pleased with how this year’s wildflower harvest has gone. Each year, we learn more about the sites that we harvest and the equipment that we use. We are always making small changes to perfect our methods, to supply the very best UK native wildflower seed.
If you would like to speak to us about how our UK native wildflower seed could help your project, or if you have a meadow site that could be harvested, please get in touch and ask for Megan.
