Local provenance seeds originated from naturally occurring meadows on Goren Farm .Tel 01404 881335.T&C ..see our feed back on Ebay.

	Yellow Rattle seed- Rhinanthus Minor , July 2010 Harvest. This is a pretty yellow flower, quite uncommon and a essential part of any meadow on fertile soil. Its main purpose in the meadow is to reduce the vigor of the grass, therefore not favoured by modern farming practice. This seed has a very short shelf life of less that a year, which is one reason why it is not commonly found, and is why it is best to buy freshly harvested seed, as early as possible to get best results. Yellow Rattle allows other wild flowers to germinate and compete for light by suppressing the grass This plant is a sought-after species for conservationists when trying to promote bio diversity in meadows. Its preferred habitat is calcercarouus/natural/acidic grassland, mowed late every year, Northern Europe. Its flowering period is between June and August. The seed is easily sowed into existing grass land and is ideal for improving diversity for habitat creation by farmers who want to enter into a higher level stewardship scheme.
	Select packet size. 20g packet £5.50 100g packet £14.99 500g Packet £49.99 1Kg bag of seed £69.99 5kg++ £70 per kilo £300.00 VAT P&P included)
	Delivered Royal mail 1st class within 3 working days.

	Classic Meadow Grass seed mix. No: Rye,Cocks foot,timothy or couch. An essential meadow mix of 10 native grasses which will complement any existing meadow or to resow a new one. This will give a classic look toyour meadw with grasses of differnt heights and colours both in the flowering and seeding of your meadow. It can be easilly sown directly into an existing grass sward where the grasses are course and tufted, or into a prepared seed bed. Autumn sowing is prefered by some of the varities but care should be taken not to sow close to frost. Daytime temperatures should be 10C +. This mix is suited to a wide range of soil types and will host Yellow Rattle. sow rate 20 grams per square meter. Species List
	Select packet size. 100g Classic Grass Mix £3.50 500g Classic Grass Mix £8.00 1kg Classic Grass Mix £15.00 2KG+ Classic Grass Mix £22.00 No VAT,(P&P included)
	Delivered: Royal mail 2ed class within 3 working days.

Growing and Caring for your Yellow Rattle, Rhinanthus Minor

Background.

This is a pretty yellow flower found in traditional hay meadows throughout Northern Europe. It can be difficult to grow but when the conditions are right it will spread rapidly. Its spread, outside the meadow is mainly by mechanical means by being caught on machinery or in a crop such as Hay that has been harvested in July so some of the seeds are still encapsulated in the plant. Naturally it does not spread far from its parent plant. In the process of haymaking the turning of the hay helps to spread this further. It does not like rough ground when germinating therefore is confined to the meadows by the hedges and verges where the grasses are not cut or grazed. The plant is a sought-after species for conservationists who try to encourage colonization and promote bio diversity to meadows. Its preferred habitat is dry fields or meadows. It does not tolerate heavy shade as this delays germination. Its flowering period is between May and July, being at its height in late June.

The seed germinates on the surface of the soil. In February or March. At this time of year the seed will of been resting for 6 months and would of stratified due to chilling between 10 to 5 degrees Celsius. With the right conditions and a few warm days the seeds germinate and Depending on your latitude and local weather conditions it throws up a small two leafed shoot. Soon this develops a jagged, tinged red, as shown in the picture below. This is the critical stage for the success of the yellow rattle plant as the sun is low in the sky and days relativle short.

The energy in the seed is soon used up and if the grass is too long it won't be able to photosynthesise and will soon perish. If established successful it's roots will parasitize on to a grass, or clover, nearby in April/ May. Without Grass the yellow rattle will struggle to thrive and eventually perish. This fine balance between having grass but not too long is critical for the survival of Yellow Rattle.

By late May the plant should be beginning to flower, this is orange/red at the base as it opens turning to yellow in full bloom. The leaves are small as it is now taking part of its nutrients from the Grass and Clovers. Flowing continues for 4 weeks and by Early July the seed pods have ripened to Golden colour and can be heard rattling in the breeze. If sufficient Yellow rattle the grass would hardly grown and by the end of June be relatively short and easy to Cut. A lot of yellow rattle is not good for livestock so it is best to allow the Rattle to set seed thoroughly before cutting for hay. The plant will dry and crumble with little trace left in the Hay. Once the Yellow rattle has died off by Mid July the grass can grow on freely rain permitting.

Other common names, Cock's Comb, Hay Rattle, Shackle Bags.

Food plant of the caterpillars of the Grass Rivulet moth as well as a favorite nectar source of the bumble bee.

see wikipedia for a good description.

Sowing Yellow Rattle seed

Get your yellow rattle as early as you can from a supplier that you can trust. Last years yellow rattle won't germinate and yellow rattle sold in a mixture in the spring also won't be viable.

Many web sites specify alakaline to neutral soil for yellow rattle. Our yellow rattle also grows well in acidic soils most of ours meadows are PH 5.5.

Yellow rattle and mixtures with it in must be sown before December of the year of harvest. Broadcast the seed into recently mowed(or sowed) grass. Divide the plot and packet into equal areas and quantities. To ensure even distribution sow each sub plot separately, avoiding windy days when the seed can be blown off course. Do not cover the seeds. Scarify and roll, graze the regrowth with sheep of cattle.The animals or machinery will remove the grass and help to tread the seeds into the ground. Ideally grass should be short in January, and every January so it may need mowing again then. If only a small area is to be sown on a large field choose a line across the field as the seed will tend to spread in following years.

GROWING

Germination begins in February in the southern England and later in shady areas or further North. It is advisable to keep stock off these fields from February till August. Allow the yellow rattle flowers to ripen and the seeds to blow out. Some of the seeds will be held in a pod so it is advisable to thrash these out before cutting especially if you are using a mower with a collector.

CUTTING

In any event leave cutting as long as possible. September or October is ideal. Yellow rattle stops grass growing between May and July. Leaving the cutting later can be more difficult but the results will be rewarding.

.Warning. This is an Annual and it will die out in a year if

1) the plants are not allowed to set seed,

2)the grass is too long in January.

WEEDING.

Keep an eye on sow thistles, spear thistles, ragwort and Docks, dig up as soon as they appear.

Goren Farm has signed up to the Flora Locale terms of code of practice to only sell local provenance seed that is of the heighest quality.

Please speak to Julian for further details or bulk purchase. 07770694646

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