Seed is a great way to restore the landscape, and the first tool used in revegetation and soil stabilisation. We use a specialist seed mixture designed specifically for the job. As well as native species, it contains species which act as a nurse crop to allow quick stabilisation of the soil but allow natural vegetation to repopulate too. Our seed mix has been approved by English Nature for use throughout the Lake District and has proved very successful over the last decade.
We generally use seed to:
- Re-vegetate mounds and banks alongside the path line
- Recover braids, shortcuts, and larger eroded areas
- Stabilise slopes
- Help damaged or stressed areas
It's best not to over-prepare the area to be seeded as this can lead to soil and seed being blown away. A rough stony seed bed is best with little or no preparation. If soil is available, a light scattering will aid survival especially on hard sub-soil or spoil. When seeding on poor soils, sub-soil, spoil or dried out peat, ‘Seed Aide’ helps with water retention in dry spells and therefore germination and seedling survival.
The best time of year to sow seed is either in late spring or early autumn when there is a low chance of frost and enough moisture for the seedlings to survive. But it's best to seed as other work starts. The rate of seeding depends on the chances of survival and the expected chances of germination, but a rough guide is a good handful per square metre.
Photo below: Good example of stone scatter and seeding. Small stones from the multiple cairns have been scattered over the wide worn area. The area has been seeded leaving a narrow clear route. The stones keep people off the seeded area allowing the ground to revegetate.
