MANAGE YOUR LANDSCAPE

Mowing Meadows

Mowing helps control weeds and promote the growth and spread of seeded meadow plants. Expect the species composition of your meadow to shift and change each year. The first year after sowing, you’ll see mostly flowering annuals (if any were included in the mix). Most perennials don’t begin to bloom vigorously until year 3 at the earliest. Over time, you’ll likely find that some species come to dominate, while others may disappear. To maintain the greatest diversity and keep weeds down, follow the mowing protocols below.

A brush hog tractor attachment for mowing

Mowing Calendar

Year One First Mow: Late spring (before cover crop sets seed) | 

Mow again: Anytime vegetation reaches 10 -12” high (3 - 5 mowings expected, spring through fall)

Year Two Mow once: Late winter or early spring

Year Three+: Mow in late winter or early spring, every 1, 2, or 3 years

(Mow lawn-sized meadows annually, and large fields every 2-3 years.)

Mowing Goals in Year One: The goal in the first growing season is to prevent the cover crop and any annual weeds from forming seed, and to weaken any perennial weeds enough to allow the young meadow plants to establish and grow. 

Mowing Goals in Year Two and Beyond: The goals of mowing in a mature meadow are to set back weeds and invasives, keep the area free of tree and shrub growth, and allow the seeded meadow plants to spread, re-seed, and interweave to create a resilient tapestry of native vegetation. In Year Two, begin dormant-season mowing in late winter or early spring. Avoid mowing in summer or fall as many pollinators nest in stems of meadow plants over the winter. Unmowed winter meadows also provide important habitat and food for birds and wildlife. 

These standing dead goldenrod stems and seedheads can provide winter forage and habitat for birds and may even house pollinator eggs in their stems.

Mosaic Mowing is a useful technique for large sites, in which a field or larger property is divided into several sections that are mowed on rotation, such that a portion of the property is mowed every year but any given section is only mowed once every 2-3 years. This can be implemented in maturing meadows over 3 years old.

(Photo left):This image depicts a field that has been “mosaic mowed” in the dormant season: standing dead native stems are present in the lower field in the foreground, while the upper slopes in the background have been mowed.

Mowing Paths: If you plan for a path through your seeded meadow, it’s best to seed the entire area with your meadow mix and mow your path once everything is established, rather than trying to seed a path separately with grass seed. 

Mowing Borders: Close-cut mowed borders around the perimeter of seeded meadows serve two purposes: they suppress weed and invasive plant growth at meadow edge, preventing weed encroachment into the meadow; and in small or suburban settings provide a cue to care - an indication to passersby that the meadow is intentional and designed rather than weedy and abandoned. Perimeter borders should be mowed every time the vegetation reaches 10-12” or if weed seeds begin to form - not just in Year One, but for the life of the meadow.