h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Did you get the text I sent you earlier, me dear?

Damn, must have just missed you

I can't get wildflower mix or cornflower seed anywhere locally due to them all being out of stock (bad time of year for seeding things), so I was wondering if you have any up there and, if so, if you would be able to post some on? I can let you know what I want and send a cheque in advance; I won't need them for another week or so. I've got about 15-18 square metres to cover, so it would be a few packets - I wouldn't trouble you for just one or two

Would also be willing to trade a few bright red poppy seeds for anything from your own garden, too

Hi Rich.
My phone was dead, so i had it on charge. I just got your text

I can get hold of wildflower seeds. We have a few left, but i can also order whatever you want, just let me know which varieties. Its change-over time for the seeds, which is why alot of places have run out.
I don't have anything in the way of seed in the garden just now, they've already set. I'll happily let you have some more plants though (if you manage to get up this way again) I'll have a look through my seed box too, i'm sure i have some nice stuff in there i can send along too.
Its no trouble to just send one or two packs either, if you suddenly remember something else

Great! I'll get back to you properly after w**k

I haven't either (a) forgotten you or (b) been working 48 hours

My brother decided to come down at very short notice; he's just graduated, so I organised an family party and had to go like the clappers to get it all done! I think you'll be happy to know I spent all day today going round organic farm shops and local butchers, spending far too much money on getting him a really good quality party...

So it's 2am after his party and I'm getting back to you on meadows I think I'd be happier with more 'arable weeds' than a 'proper' meadow - I can't guarantee myself time for mowing schedules. So I'm looking for things like camomiles, white campions, cornflower and corncockle; possibly corn marigolds and buttercups, though they might not like my soil as much. I think this would leave a lot of bare ground, so I'd want a summer meadowflower mix as well, unless you know an arable weed mix that gives pretty good coverage!

Let me know what you'd recommend

First of all. Congratulations to your brother for graduating

You can go down several roads with this idea.
I've seen 'man made' meadows and they are an individual thing.
There the one that contain little or no grass, which work while the plant are flowering, but gives the impression of a weed bed.
The other type has selected grass ie: specific grasses planted in amongst the flowers. This looks nice even though the grasses are not specifically what you would find in a British meadow, it gives the right impression.
The last is the 'classic' british meadow, where wild flowers are planted in the grass, this is the easiest to maintain as you only cut it down once a year in september, when the flowers have all finished.

Heres a list of what we have available now.
Harebell...Cowslip...Field scabious...Foxglove...Corn Marigold...Primrose...Cornflower...Teasel...Honesty...Wild pansy...ox-eye daisy. There is also a box of 'Meadow mix' but i would'nt recommend it as it contains more grass than anything else. I may be able to locate some other seed while i'm out visiting other garden centres on Tuesday.
Is any of this helpful?

Oh and i forget to mention. No meadow is complete without some Snakes head fritillary, which will multiply in time and this is the time to buy and plant them.

Yep, it's the weed bed for me

I wasn't planning on putting snake's head fritillary or foxglove in the meadow bit, but wanted them for other parts of the garden anyway; the bulby bit and messy corner respectively Let me know anything else you find tomorrow and how much they'd cost me - and sorry, btw, I've been offline all weekend but am back now!

I'll look and see what i can find today. If i see any Corn Cockle or white Campion i'll get them for you. I have a feeling you might have to go to a specialist wild flower grower for those seeds. I'll post you a web address for a few places later, i'm a bit short of time now.

I was looking at some books over the weekend. Our own library of gardening books is almost as good as mine
Anyway i found this book, which you may find very interesting. It has a everything you need to know about growing and maintaining meadows, including the one that you're planning. What plants to use, what not to use etc etc.
Its called 'The new perennial garden' by Noel Kingsbury. ISBN 0-7112 1049-7

Actually, I found this great site last night http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk which I think I might be recommending to myself sometime soon! Haven't had chance to have a proper look yet, but on a skim it looks pretty good.

If I had time for yet another book, I'd take a look at that one *sigh* Being pulled in several directions at the moment - I wish I had the power to say 'no, I haven't got time to help out with that'

Let me know what you found today; I'm dying to get cracking now!

Thanks for all your help

I did'nt find anything along the 'wild flower' route today I did find lots of other things to tempt me, though i remained restrained I did buy 2 packs of Alliums, which i will plant as soon as i can.

I know of 'Wiggly wigglers' though i havent visited their site.

I did find these for you if you want to browse </.>http://www.naturescape.co.uk<./> and </.>http://www.wildflowersuk.com<./>
Did any of the other seeds i mentioned interest you?

Oh. Reading my post, I've just realised I missed the 'all of the above would be great' line

I'll get those to you as soon as possible then

Oh, it might help if you e.mail me an address though.

Sorry to barge in here uninvited; but I was fed up with ironing and the kettle hasn't boiled yet.

Wiggly Wigglers are great - it's where I get all my mealworms from.

Scorp.

s off again

Gawd bless you, Scorpio!

I'll email my address to you tomight, Venus

I got it thanks I've found some seeds in my seed box to send you aswell. They're not natives, so if you don't want them, just say

'waves to Scorpio'

I think I'd rather stick to natives where possible, but thanks for the thought anyway

I would imagine that if I get much beyond £30 for seeds it would start to become excessive - does that sound ok?

It won't come to that ammount, probably around £20 ish

No worries about the other seeds, it was only a thought