Celebrating biodiversity at Acorn Hollow

If you have recently visited Acorn Hollow recently, you might have noticed the beautiful wildflower field. Farmers Peter and Rebecca worked spent hours digging, ploughing, weed-controlling and working on the field over the autumn and winter months. We turned two 1ha blocks into wildflower belts and sowed the middle of the field with a herbal ley grass mix.

The herbal ley grass mix will massively benefit the land, as it’s a crop that naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil. It is rocket fuel for sheep, filling them with essential nutrients. Our sheep graze the field and then convert this rocket fuel into rocket fuel in the form of fertiliser for the land.

The wildflower belts are not only beautiful, but incredibly beneficial to the land too. 98% of the UK’s wildflower meadows have been lost since 1930’s. We believe that there is a place for wildlife and agriculture and that both complement each other.

The field is filled with a diverse selection of plants; Red Clover, White Clover, Lacy Phacelia, Common Vetch, poppies, wild carrot, Oxeye Daisy, Sainfoin and Birds Foot Trefoil. Walking in or near the field is a delight; you can smell the heady perfume of the flowers and hear the wonderful buzz of the bees as they frantically go about their business.

On early morning visits to check the sheep, Farmer Peter has seen Roe deer, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bluetit, Great Tit, Bull Finch, Corn Bunting, Skylark, Badgers, Hares and Rabbits. There are nesting pairs of Pheasants, Partridge and Lapwing too. If you are passing, please stand at the gate and take in some of the delights the field has to offer. If you see one of us, please stop to say hello, but beware, if you ask us questions you might get stopped for hours as we chatter about the benefits and what we love most about our wildflower strips.

For more information about Farming Fortnight’s Diversity Day, including great teaching resources, please visit https://www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk/resources/1850