Meadow

[Bgfloyd]

Hello, i need some advice about the suitability of having a meadow area near my guinea pigs.
I'll have a patch (currently mud!) which will be approx 1x2 metres next to my guinea pigs run which is attached to their shed. i would like to make this area into something suitable for wildlife like a mini meadow, however, are there any wildflower seeds that are safe for the pigs if they get chance to eat them.? i know cornflower flowers are ok but not sure about the rest of the plant (leaves stalks etc) or other flowers.

Thanks!

 

[Betsy]

What other flowers are you thinking of planting?

 

[Bgfloyd]

Hi Betsy, I was hoping to just get seeds of flowers that were recommended and see how it goes?

Ox eye daisy's, buttercups, cowslips, wild carrot?

 

[Swissgreys]

Sadly many of those will be poisonous to guinea pigs.
In general wildflowers are not part of their diet, so you can have your meadow but make sure that the pigs can't access it at all, or simply plant a grassy area for the pigs to enjoy.
There are lots of other great things you can do for wildlife though - have you thought about keeping pollinating bees - www.masonbees.co.uk

 

[Bgfloyd]

Sadly many of those will be poisonous to guinea pigs.
In general wildflowers are not part of their diet, so you can have your meadow but make sure that the pigs can't access it at all, or simply plant a grassy area for the pigs to enjoy.
There are lots of other great things you can do for wildlife though - have you thought about keeping pollinating bees! www.masonbees.co.uk

Thanks for your reply, they wouldn't have access to the area but I'm worried it could self seed into their grass.

I do have a perennial cottage garden border that is loved by lots of different type of bees and butterflies! I saw at Cardiff Flower Show a stall for 'the gardener's beehive' which I loved the idea of however I am yet to persuade my other half

My main goal is to attract insects, we currently have bats, hedgehogs, toads, squirrels mice and many birds. It's just this strip of land between the greenhouse and run I thought I could try a different habitat but I will probably just add another small pond!

 

[Eriathwen]

I've bought seed mixes from Galens Garden before which only contain piggy safe wildflowers and grasses, that might be something you could use as a base?
I go out and collect seeds from other plants I know are safe, this year I've grown my own broad leaf plantain and yarrow, I'm hoping to find ribwort plantain seeds this year as it's more popular with my lot.

They currently have a basic meadow mix if you're able to order from them, if not there's a list of plants they use which you may be able to match to seed mixes you're able to buy wherever you are in the world.
https://galensgarden.co.uk/shop/meadow-seed-mixes/

 

[Lorcan]

I do have a perennial cottage garden border that is loved by lots of different type of bees and butterflies! I saw at Cardiff Flower Show a stall for 'the gardener's beehive' which I loved the idea of however I am yet to persuade my other half

He does realise he wouldn't have to do anything, right? And they're bees, they're adorable cute little fuzzy legged creatures that don't bother anyone unless they need a bit of help!

Sorry, bit of a thing about bees. I love 'them.

If you're worried about self seeding elsewhere, then you might have to just keep a very close eye on the grass where the piggies are going and pull out anything they might have issues with before you let them down.

 

[Bgfloyd]

I've bought seed mixes from Galens Garden before which only contain piggy safe wildflowers and grasses, that might be something you could use as a base?
I go out and collect seeds from other plants I know are safe, this year I've grown my own broad leaf plantain and yarrow, I'm hoping to find ribwort plantain seeds this year as it's more popular with my lot.

They currently have a basic meadow mix if you're able to order from them, if not there's a list of plants they use which you may be able to match to seed mixes you're able to buy wherever you are in the world.
Meadow Seed Mixes - Galens Garden

Thanks so much this will be perfect to start with, I grew some yarrow from seed this year! I live in Wales so I will definitely order some!

He does realise he wouldn't have to do anything, right? And they're bees, they're adorable cute little fuzzy legged creatures that don't bother anyone unless they need a bit of help!

Sorry, bit of a thing about bees. I love 'them.

If you're worried about self seeding elsewhere, then you might have to just keep a very close eye on the grass where the piggies are going and pull out anything they might have issues with before you let them down.

I don't know why he won't let me! Maybe because his friend and my dad are allergic? (Not sure if it's wasps or bees though ) Maybe because he thinks he has to wear a suit? Maybe because he knows I will get obsessed with them?

Thank you so much for your help I think I have come to a decision that I will have some of the Galens garden mix, with maybe an old Belfast sink or tub of some kind for a mini pond and order from the mason bee website!

Have you used the mason bee houses before? Looks like such a good idea! Solitary bees have filled up holes in our fencepost and our hose reel so I think this will really help!