Can I use this if I dont have time to rest my fields for the seed to grow?
Yes! Consider sowing outside of fencing if you can't rest land. Horses get the benefit of diversity when hand grazed and it protects new growth without additional fencing. If you do have some land and temporary fencing, fence off a strip of your field approximately 50cm to 1m in from the perimeter fence, sow, then rest for a minimum of three months so that roots can establish and the plants won't get pulled up by the roots when grazed. Alternatively, fence off any bare patches of soil or damaged areas to seed. Sow in an area subject to the prevailing wind on your land. This will help your plants to spread their seed across your land in future years.
How much area does 1kg cover?
Roughly 500m² when overseeding (2g per m²) or 200m² when sowing on bare soil (5g per m²).
Can I use this on poor or compacted soils?
Yes – many species are chosen specifically for soil improvement and resilience (see plant benefits). Avoid use areas that waterlog. This mix is not suitable for extreme compaction unless mulching. To test the level of compaction, use your foot in a protective boot to push a pitch fork into the soil. If the fork makes no impression on the soil and cannot penetrate the ground, it is too compacted for the seed mix. If the fork does make an impression on the soil, the seed can be sown.
Is this mix suitable for all grazing animals?
Yes – It’s safe and beneficial for horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, cattle and sheep.
Do I need fertiliser, herbicides or pesticides?
No – this blend is designed to thrive chemical-free and compete through biodiversity. It is important not to use herbicides as they will kill many of the plant varieties in the mix. It is also important not to use pesticides as they will harm the insects and pollinators that will spread the seed.
How can I keep control of Ragwort without herbicides?
If your field is more than 50% Ragwort you may wish to spray a broad leaf herbicide once, before sowing the rewilding mix to enable the ragwort to be manageable.
Once the seed mix has been sown, Ragwort should be pulled with a pulling fork, whilst wearing gloves. As the fields diversity increases, the Ragwort will struggle more to compete and take over - assuming that the field isn't over grazed.
What can I use instead of synthetic fertilisers?
Grazing animal manure is a very effective fertiliser. Assuming there is no worm burden in the animals defecating in the field, the manure can be spread using a chain harrow to fertilise the field and ensure daylight reaches the plants. If there is a worm burden in the manure, remove the manure from the field and store on a muck heap for 12 months (so that the worms die). When the manure has broken down and the worms have died (you will see greens growing out of the top of the muck heap), it can be spread back onto the fields as a natural fertiliser.
What is mulching and why should I do it?
Mulching is leaving organic matter on your topsoil - usually uneaten hay, to promote soil microorganism activity and to retain moisture on the surface of the soil. It's helpful when seeding on compacted soil and can be a good use of old hay. Be mindful that if you mulch with hay as it will contain grass seed. While this is a cost effective way to help reseed your field, most hay contains high levels of timothy grass which most horses don't find palatable unless it's dried. It may also contain ryegrass which is unsuitable for most horses as it can be linked to EMS, laminitis. It's also thought to be linked to digestion issues such as acidosis and ulcers.
Will it take alot of work to get the seed to germinate? I don't have a hosepipe to water the seed.
Sow in autumn so you have more reliable rainfall or in spring when rain is forecast. In Autumn, frost will also help crack the seeds open for you.
Does it matter what soil type I have?
Yes and No. The seed mix is designed to work in most soil types but some of the plants will struggle in very extreme conditions such as extremely compacted or waterlogged soil.
I planted the mix of 15 seed types but Ive not seen them all grow. Why can't I identify all 15 plants?
There are multiple reasons that this could happen. Plants favour different soil types, pH and humidity. Some prefer more rain, others less. You may find that it takes two to three years for most of the plants to come through enough to be identifiable. Some of the plants may just struggle to compete against the others in your soil type and conditions. For example, in a warm drought year, we would expect to see more salad burnet, plantain, red clover and wild carrot but in a following year that is wetter we might expect to see the vetches come through more.
Do you recommend sowing in several areas across fields and then letting them have access to browse it periodically?
It depends on your set up, your animals needs and what you are trying to achieve.
If you're doing standard rotational grazing - we would recommend using temporary fencing (i.e. electric) to fence off a damaged patch in each field and sow on to the damaged soil. Once the seed has established you can then remove the fence and rest it when you rest the field.
If you never have a chance to rest the fields or you know you overgraze them - We recommend creating a section of a field you can fence off and give animals access to periodically.
If you want to be able to handgraze a horse on rest - We recommend sowing along the edge of a drive (if safe), a path, or on your yard.
If you are enriching a track system - We recommend sowing along the fenceline or sowing to creating a foraging station or enrich a herb garden.
When is the best time to sow the British Rewilding Mix?
When there is sufficient daylight and rainfall. This is usually in spring and autumn in the UK.
Can I overseed my existing pasture with this mix?
Yes, this is a rewilding overseeding mix for horses that contains wildflowers and legumes
Is this seed suitable for organic or regenerative systems?
Yes, the blend of seed is designed to improve soil therefore it is not necessary to use chemical fertilisers.
How long does it take for the plants to establish?
Seedlings will establish within 21 days under the correct conditions however, expect it to take a whole season for all of the wildflowers and legumes in the grazing mix to establish as they all grow and flower at different times of the year.
Will the mix come back each year or do I need to reseed?
If the land is not overgrazed, you should not need to reseed each year.
Can I use this on smallholdings or just large fields?
Both!
How does this mix compare to standard agricultural grass seed?
This is a rewilding mix for grazing. It does not contain grass seed. It is designed for animal wellbeing and the environment, not for ease of harvesting, manufacturing or making profit. The blend contains wildflowers and legumes that are not agriculturally farmed with chemicals. The seeds have not been genetically modified. This ensures that the plants that grow are not artificially high in chemicals and compounds that can lead to health issues.
