Grassland restoration methods

Sowing of rattle

One of the most common methods for restoring natural grasslands is the sowing of rattle. It is used to increase species diversity in grasslands. Rattle is a semi-parasitic plant that extracts water and nutrients from the roots of host plants. As a result, dominant grasses and legumes begin to weaken, creating space for less competitive meadow species to establish.

The video tutorial outlines the key steps for successful sowing of yellow rattle: seed collection, storage and required quantities, timing of sowing, as well as site selection and preparation. This includes mowing, removal of cut grass and litter, exposing the soil surface and harrowing. The video also explains the subsequent management of the area.

Land surface levelling

Until recently, damaging the sward and exposing the soil surface was not permitted in biologically valuable grasslands receiving support payments administered by the Rural Support Service of Latvia. Since 2023, such management practices have been allowed; however, many lack the knowledge of how to carry them out without losing the remaining species diversity.

Many natural grasslands are highly uneven – previously abandoned, disturbed by wild boar activity and impacted by heavy machinery. This presents challenges both for farming and for biodiversity conservation. Land surface levelling facilitates grassland management, helps reduce wear on machinery, improves the quantity and quality of fodder, and supports the preservation of species diversity. The video tutorial explains when and how to plan levelling work.

Key steps in the process include leaving uncut, species-rich patches, mowing and removing biomass in July or August, and specific sward management in autumn. There are different levelling methods, and this material focuses on disking and harrowing. When applied in this way, the vegetation and seed bank are preserved, allowing characteristic grassland species to recover quickly.

Spreading of seed-rich hay

The spreading of seed-rich hay from natural grasslands is one of the most suitable and widely used methods for grassland restoration. It offers several advantages: up to 90% of the available seed yield can be collected, the work can be carried out under various weather conditions, and a range of farm machinery can be used. However, the method requires a suitable donor site nearby, as freshly cut grass cannot be stored for long and large volumes need to be transported due to the relatively low proportion of seeds in the material.

The video tutorial highlights the key aspects of the process, including how to select suitable sites for harvesting and spreading seed-rich hay, how to organise transport, and which equipment to use. It also explains important considerations for managing the area after the hay has been spread.

Spreading of seed-rich hay using a manure spreader

Although seeds make up only a small proportion of the cut grass, the spreading of seed-rich hay is an effective and simple method for restoring natural grasslands. It delivers good results and does not require specialised equipment. However, it can only be used when the harvesting and spreading sites are located close to each other, so that the cut material does not overheat and the seeds do not lose their viability.

The video tutorial shares practical experience on harvesting, transporting and spreading seed-rich hay, including the use of a manure spreader, which ensures an even distribution of the material.

Spreading of seed-rich hay using a straw spreader

Natural grasslands can be restored by spreading hay collected from species-rich grasslands. Compared to spreading fresh seed-rich grass, this method transfers a smaller amount of seeds, as some are lost during haymaking. However, it has its advantages – it allows the use of existing farm machinery and the work can be carried out gradually.

The video tutorial explains how to collect seed-rich hay and prepare it for spreading, how to establish and manage the restoration site, and how to carry out the spreading process. It highlights the use of a straw spreader for distributing hay bales, ensuring an even spread of the material.

Sowing of seed mixtures of characteristic grassland species

Sowing seed mixtures of plant species characteristic of natural grasslands is the next step after collecting and preparing seeds from natural grasslands. This method involves several important considerations, so we encourage you to watch the video tutorial! It explains how to select a suitable site, determine sowing rates, choose the appropriate timing, and carry out follow-up management both during and after sowing. These steps are essential to ensure that the seeds reach the soil and that the newly established plants can successfully take root.