WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

The ground is shallowly rotavated or hand dug to bare ground either in late winter / early spring or Autumn on a 2-3 year cycle. The initial process disturbs the seed bank and encourages long dormant seeds to germinate. The result is often extraordinary; even in species-poor locations. A high percentage of plants which aren't present on the surface will appear. Not only is the process extremely fascinating but it also gives a really good insight into the past floral composition.

After having an arable appearance with early colonists for a few months, the ground will thicken out with later establishing vegetation and a rougher composition will emerge, with biennials and short-lived perennials (such as Teasel) taking centre stage in year 2. At the end of the process the site is razed to the ground and left for a week or two for any remaining seed to drop before rotavating / digging the ground, clippings and all back to square one again.