Boosting wildflowers across Milton Keynes
Published: 25/09/2026
This summer, our team and volunteers collected an incredible 200kg of wildflower seed from some of the most species-rich meadows in Milton Keynes. Now, that seed is beginning the next stage of its journey as we use it to help bring greater botanical diversity to some of our less diverse grasslands.
Collecting the seed
The work began by using data from our grassland surveys to identify some of the most botanically diverse meadows across the city. These established grasslands are an invaluable source of locally collected seed that can be used to enhance other areas.
Throughout the summer, our team and tractor drivers used a specialist seed harvester to collect the seed. The machine works a little like a giant hoover, gently travelling across the meadow and gathering the seeds from the plants.
Once harvested, there was still plenty of work to do. Our volunteers used large sieves to separate the seed from the ‘chaff’, helping to prepare it for drying. Thanks to their fantastic efforts, around 200kg of seed was collected this year.
The seed was then left to dry throughout August, ready to be spread during the autumn.
Giving our grasslands a helping hand
Now we've entered autumn, our team have been hand spreading the collected seed across some of our less species-rich grasslands. This year, our work will focus on areas along the Ouse Valley near Wolverton Mill, Stony Stratford Nature Reserve, Stonebridge and Linford Lakes Nature Reserve.
Before spreading, the seed is mixed with sharp sand. The sand acts as a bulking agent, making the seed easier to handle and helping us achieve a more even distribution across the grassland.
It will be a real team effort, with our conservation volunteers and youth groups among those helping us distribute the seed!
Why spread wildflower seed in autumn?
Timing is an important part of the process. Many wildflower seeds need to experience a period of cold weather before they can successfully germinate. This process is known as cold stratification, which is one of the reasons we spread the seed at this time of year.
Getting good contact between the seed and soil is important too. In areas grazed by cows and sheep, the animals can help by trampling the newly spread seeds into the ground. Where livestock aren't present, we'll use a harrow to disturb the surface and create a better seedbed.
Creating richer meadows for the future
The results won't happen overnight. It can take several years for some wildflowers to become established, flower and eventually produce their own seed. That's why ongoing monitoring through our grassland surveys is such an important part of the project.
By collecting seed from our richest meadows and introducing it to grasslands with fewer species, we're helping to create more diverse habitats across Milton Keynes. In time, richer wildflower meadows can provide valuable food and shelter for a whole range of wildlife, from bees and butterflies to many other insects and animals.
And with 200kg of locally collected seed arriving at its new home this autumn, we're excited to see what starts to grow.
