In the autumn of 2023, Jill from Satinflower Nurseries joined our weekly work sessions to advise us about the best methods of clearing invasive grasses from the Meadow. She helped us identify our priority areas and recommended the best way to pre-treat them before smothering. We were greatly assisted by the generous donation of pond liner from the Showers family. Pond liner is particularly good for smothering because it is so heavy and works more quickly than either cardboard or black plastic.

Jill and other Satinflower Nurseries staff are working on an identification guide for grasses which are notoriously difficult to identify. She is gathering specimens of the grasses in the Meadow and will add descriptions to make it easier for us to decide which grasses to pull.

We are grateful for Jill’s knowledge and positive attitude. She has really helped to raise morale in the face of the rather daunting task of eliminating invasive grasses.