When the flowers are out, it not only looks beautiful but serves as a nectar and pollen restaurant for insects. Every garden should have one, even if it takes just a few square feet of ground.
Choose a sunny spot where the soil has not been enriched with manure or fertiliser for a while. Time is of essence when planting meadow seed. You have two windows of opportunity: early spring and late summer.
Clear the ground of all the weeds (with roots) and rake it smooth, then water it well and wait for new weeds to appear. Remove them carefully – and you are ready to sow.
Meadow mixes are readily available in garden centres. Choose an annual mix if you don’t want to commit to a long-term project. You will need to remove weeds so, to make this easier, sow your meadow flowers thinly in rows, and mark the rows with sticks. Seeds like to be shallow-sown but are then prone to drying out. Gently scuff the seeds into the surface with your hand, then water carefully. You may need to water your meadow again to help the seed germinate and the plants to become established more quickly.
If you do all this now, you will be enjoying your poppies, cornflowers, marigolds etc. next summer.
Annual meadow at RHS Wisley Gardens