Eco-tour: Wildflower Meadows and Pollinator Habitat

Join ELA on this tour at the University of New Hampshire horticultural research farm to see experimental wildflower meadows ranging from two to ten years old. Cathy will discuss results from long-term research on best site preparation and wildflower meadow establishment methods, including a comparison of solarization with clear plastic versus light occlusion with opaque plastics.

Over the years she also developed a recommended wildflower seed mix for northern New England. The mix of twenty forbs and three grasses provides a continuous floral display and a diversity of resources for pollinators from May through October.

Come and enjoy the mid-summer display on July 17! The results will help you to successfully plan, prepare, plant and maintain a beautiful and functional wildflower meadow that blooms all season long and is self-sustaining for many years.

Dr. Cathy Neal is an Emeritus Extension Professor, having recently completed a twenty-year career as Landscape Horticulture Specialist with University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. During her career, she worked closely with commercial horticulture clientele in the state to maintain professionalism in the green industry and to encourage sustainable practices and designs. She is well known for her educational leadership in landscaping for water quality and in planting for pollinators; she has published many fact sheets and articles on related topics.

As an active researcher with NH Agricultural Experiment Station, she conducted many trials leading to the development of recommended seed mixes and strategies for creating beautiful and diverse wildflower meadows in New England. Her wildflower meadow resources are available at https://extension.unh.edu/tags/wildflower-meadows. Dr. Neal continues to work part time to help private and public landowners establish wildflower meadows and pollinator habitat.