About the event

The sway of colourful wildflowers mingling with sprays of tall grasses in a sunny field is an image we can all enjoy. So why not create your own dreamscape? 

Wildflower meadows are becoming more prevalent in urban settings as they provide butterflies, bees, spiders and other insects a place to live and breed.  Each new meadow opens corridors for these creatures to travel through, offering more and more opportunity for them to pollinate.

The wonderful thing about meadows is that they can be created in the smallest sunny patch of land, making them the perfect addition to gardens, roadside verges, car parks, playgrounds and even plant pots.

On this one-day course, you will discover the best ways of planting a new meadow through a mixture of classroom presentations and practical experiences. Our course tutor, Paul Ritchie, will spend the morning talking through all aspects to be considered when planning a meadow.  He will discuss the various types of plants that are best suited to this environment and how it will help with local biodiversity.

In the afternoon you will learn the techniques needed to plant a thriving meadow by experimenting with a variety of tools in an existing meadow.

At the end of this fulfilling day, you will have the knowledge to plant your own meadow, you’ll be proud of the work that you have achieved on behalf of the community and we’ll even give you a starter pack of seeds to start your own pollinator pitstop.

Tutor Details: Paul Ritchie

As a biologist with over 20 years of experience looking after nature reserves and commons Paul is well placed to teach courses in ecology, conservation and practical countryside skills. He had roles training employees, apprentices and volunteers for the City of London Corporation and Surrey Wildlife Trust. He now runs a community interest company leading projects and outdoor learning activities by working closely with local charities, volunteer and community groups.