Making a diverse local origin seed mix

As our aim is to produce species-rich grassland it seems natural to use a diverse seed mix. Our reasons for using local origin seed are:

• local seed may produce plants that are better adapted to local conditions
• insects may be better adapted to plants from their locality
• by increasing populations of local origin plants we may be conserving a different range of genetic resources compared to buying a seed mix that is sown across the country
• any impurities in the seed mix are likely to be of plants that are appropriate to the local landscape

The sections shown below outline the thinking and methods we use to make produce a diverse, local-origin seed mix:

• Introduction & advice
• Which species to collect for grassland recreation
• Where we collect seed from
• Collecting guidelines
• Handling and storing seed
• Knowing what you’ve got
• Getting the mix ready for sowing