AHL1 / AB1 - 3 Year Nectar Flower Mix: Enhanced (CSS5)

Use this premium mix, preferred by Natural England, for AHL1 Sustainable Farming Incentive and AB1 Countryside Stewardship (Pollen and Nectar Flower Mix), providing food source and habitat for pollinating insects such as bumblebees, solitary bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

Used for static AHL1 Pollen and Nectar schemes
Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): AHL1
Suitable for Countryside Stewardship (CSS): AB1
Contains: 40% Common Vetch, 15% Alsike Clover, 12% Sainfoin, 10% Red Clover, 5% Birdsfoot Trefoil, 5% Black Medick, 5% Lucerne, 5% Yellow Blossom Clover, 1.4% Yarrow, 0.4% Common Knapweed, 0.4% Musk Mallow, 0.4% Oxeye Daisy, 0.4% Wild Carrot
Sowing rate: 15-20kg/ha. Pack size: 20kg

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Mixture Specification

40% Common Vetch
15% Alsike Clover
12% Sainfoin
10% Red Clover
5% Birdsfoot Trefoil
5% Black Medick
5% Lucerne
5% Yellow Blossom Clover
1.4% Yarrow
0.4% Common Knapweed
0.4% Musk Mallow
0.4% Oxeye Daisy
0.4% Wild Carrot

Sowing & Establishment

COUNTYRSIDE STEWARDSHIP AB1 - NECTAR FLOWER MIX

What To Sow

Establish a grass-free seed mix of at least 6 flowering species of legumes and wildflowers, including at least two perennials from the following list:

Common Knapweed
Musk Mallow
Oxeye Daisy
Wild Carrot
Yarrow

A diverse seed mix will provide the longest flowering season for maximum benefit to bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths.

Avoid mixes that do not include perennial wildflower species, as short-term legumes only will not supply pollinators with food sources for the full length of the agreement.

No single species should make up more than 50% of the seed mix.

Where To Sow

Aim to sow in unshaded areas, in wide margins or in blocks of between 0.25ha and 0.5ha spread evenly across a field, to create safe habitats for pollinators.

How To Sow

Broadcast the seed when the soil is warm and moist between 1st March and 15th September, rolling after sowing.

Information in this article is given in good faith but should not be seen as a substitute for complete guidance issued at www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for further information.

Maintenance

COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP AB1 - NECTAR FLOWER MIX

Maintenance and Management

Regularly cut for the first year after sowing. Then, rotationally cut 50% of the plot area each year between 15th May and 15th June, and cut the whole plot area (or graze) each year between 15th September and 30th March.

Do not graze between 15th March and 31st August.

Records and Evidence

Keep records as evidence of establishment and maintenance such as, but not limited to, the list below: