When starting a new plot, we start ploughing the area and then cultivate using a power harrow.  Ploughing and harrowing can sometimes bring dormant grass and weed seeds to the surface and allow them to germinate.  We therefore leave the prepared soil bed for 2-4 weeks to allow these to germinate and then they can be sprayed off.  This creates what is called a stale seed bed.

The seeds are then drilled using a precision drill.  We grow Black Knapweed, Oxeye Daisy, Cornflower, Lady’s Bedstraw, Self Heal, Musk Mallow, White Campion, Red Campion, Poppy, Meadowsweet, Meadow Buttercup, Yarrow, Yellow Trefoil, Tufted Vetch and Yorkshire Fog, Sweet Vernal, Ribgrass, plus others on an occasional basis. 

Once established, plants are allowed to complete their growing cycle.  Pictured here is Meadow Buttercup. 

Flowers can change and be ready for harvest quickly, so regular crop walking is important in the run up to harvest.  Below is the Oxeye Daisy just before harvesting.

Harvesting takes place using a regular combine.  This is a busy time, especially if crops are ready around the same time.