Although I found this book to be denser and more like a textbook than I expected, I learned quite a lot from reading it. I’m a horticulturalist by trade growing native grasses and perennials, often supplying meadow restoration sites so this additional context will be very helpful and informative.

A really useful guide to growing your own meadow

If you’re thinking of creating a meadow this book is a really good place to start. It bridges the gap between understanding the biology of meadows and working out how to create one for yourself whether it’s a small patch in a garden, a whole field or more.

David takes us through the different types of meadow, their importance to farmers, how to create meadows from scratch, meadows through the seasons and the ecology of meadows. The book is structured so you can read it from cover to cover and/or dip into it as and when you need information.

The second part of the book is particularly useful to anyone wanting to create a meadow and gives options and ideas you can mix and match depending on the soil and space available. It provides useful resources to help work out what plants would thrive in your soil and suggests that making up our own mixes or growing suitable plants to drop in as plug plants can be the best way. To avoid new meadow growers thinking they’ve got something wrong David also spells out what to expect in the first year when plants and grasses can grow without restraint.

This is a really useful book for anyone interested in growing, or restoring, a meadow and I hope it will inspire many people to give it a try.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

A very nicely done book on meadows as natural landscapes. Beautiful photography and great practical coverage of the topic, which is really the perfect combo for a gardening/landscaping resource. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This wasn't quite what I had expected; from the title, I thought I was going to get nature writing about meadows like John Lewis-Stemple 's The Running Hare. What I actually got was a much more practical guide to growing your own meadow. How to find out what will grow in which soul types, how to find out what plants will suit your locality, how to source seeds, and most importantly, how to maintain it. It's much more complicated than just not mowing your lawn, though now people are beginning to find out what could appear in their meadows from doing 'no mow may', (we have pyramidal orchids appearing in one of ours, and I've heard from a few people that they are now getting orchids turn up in their lawns). It's also a plea to save the few remaining flower meadows that we have keft, and very well said.

A very useful book that I will be dipping back into from time to time.

*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*

The Secret Life of a Meadow is a well written and beautifully photographed monograph on different types of meadowland and conservation and considerations by Wilson Wall & David Morgan. Due out 30th Aug 2023 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 176 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Since the second world war, 97% of the meadowland within the UK has disappeared, mostly in aid of expanded agricultural use. The authors write expressively and poignantly about the loss of habitat both in terms of biodiversity as well as cultural terms.

The book's logical layout allows the reader to retain information, concentrate on the gorgeous full colour photography, and ease finding information later. There are no chapter notes, but the authors/publisher have included a good cross-referenced index, and abbreviated resources and links lists for further reading.

Five stars. This would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition as well as for readers who enjoy natural history and nonfiction selections.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I'm fascinated by books about nature and ecosystems. This is a good one, informative and entertaining. The gorgeous pictures are a bonus.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Meadows are vitally important and we have much to learn about their characteristics, importance and benefits. The Secret Life of A Meadow is timely, informative and practical and contains beautiful photographs.

The authors describe the difference between meadows and pasture and the distinction is important. Though the focus is on England (the most meadow-rich county is Worcestershire), the principles are the same everywhere. One of the most thought-provoking details that hit me like a brick is that turning arable land back to its past meadow state is extremely challenging and more than just scattering a few seeds. We must mindfully and patiently introduce plants and seeds which will in turn invite different animal species.

In this book two meadow experiments are discussed, a small garden meadow (which we can build) and a larger older established one. Part One describes meadows, soils and climate. Part Two is a practical section on creating a meadow. Part Three describes seasonal expectations and Part Four is about preserving and conserving. I like that species which thrive in meadows (such as grasses, orchids, buttercups, snake's fritillary) are detaiiled, what they add to the ecosystem and what their presence signifies. Fungi are also important.

My husband and I are extremely fortunate to live a few meters from several true meadows (unworked for over 100 years according to locals) which we wonder at and wander nearly every day. It's like an entirely different world! Now I know more of what's going on below and above the ground as life cycles continue and plant and animals go about their business.

Whether you wish to learn more about meadows or create one of your own, don't pass this up.

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this inspiring and hopeful book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for granting my wish to read this book

This was a wonderful look in to the world of meadows and the insects, birds and animals that make them their home. This book also included some absolutely stunning photography and illustrations.