Beetle Bank & Tussocky Grass Margin (AHL3 & AHL4)
Ref: mixbb
CSS/SFI Codes: SW1, SW4, AHL3, AHL4
Strips sown across large arable fields are known as ‘beetle banks’. They can also be sown along field boundaries. This mixture provides a dense, tussocky sward which gets thicker as the years go by. They may be cut two or three times in the first year for annual weed control but, once established, are cut only to prevent the encroachment of woody and suckering weeds. Sow between March and early May or August to September at a depth of no more than 1cm. Minimum sowing rate of 25 kg per hectare.
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
| Contents per Kg | % | kg | |
 | certified cocksfoot | 40.0 | 0.400 |
| certified timothy | 20.0 | 0.200 |
| certified tall fescue | 20.0 | 0.200 |
| certified smooth stalked meadow grass | 10.0 | 0.100 |
| certified chewings fescue | 10.0 | 0.100 |
Cocksfoot
A densely tufted, bluish green species, it can grow up to 1 metre in height and can create tussocks. The dense one sided panicle is said to resemble the shape of a cocks foot.
Red Fescue / Chewings Fescue
Also known as chewings fescue, this is a fine leaved, tufted grass. It is distinguished from creeping red fescue by its absence of creeping rhizomes. It remains dark green throughout most of the season.
Red Fescue / Chewings Fescue Species Guide 
Buy Red Fescue / Chewings Fescue Straight 
Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass
Found throughout the UK in meadows and traditional pastures. It is said to be one of the greenest grasses found growing in the early spring, and is an indicator of land that is well drained and in good heart. The species itself is palatable, and nutritional to livestock, often called one of the traditional 'sweet grasses'.
Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass Species Guide Buy Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass Straight
Tall Fescue
Tall fescue is found throughout the UK, it has similar features to meadow fescue, however it is distinguished by being taller, and coarser, with a rough upper leaf and margins. The well developed root system means it is tolerant of drought, damp and frost, which has created interest among plant breeders, looking to cross highly productive ryegrass and resilient fescue species as festuloliums. Recent thinking has altered the Latin so that the flat leaved fescues (meadow fescue and tall fescue) have been given their own genus, separate from the finer leaved fescues.
Timothy
Possibly the most important and flexible grass species which is used both environmentally and agriculturally. It is a very common species found in pasture throughout the UK. It retains its verdure longer than most grasses and although similar to smaller cats tail, it is larger in size with wider leaves and a longer spike like panicle.
Related Knowledge Articles
Cotswold Grass Seeds, Cotswold Business Village, London Rd, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0JQ
Web design and development by Pixel Concepts
