Bailis Downs Fence Line
Bailis Downs Fence Line
Initiated 2020 Ended 2026
Initiated 2020 Ended 2026
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The fence line along Bothar Sion at Bailis Downs was once routinely treated with weed killer, leaving a bare and unattractive strip along the road.
In 2020, Bailis Downs residents and Johnstown Tidy Towns worked together to try something different. Native Irish wildflower seeds were sown along the fence, creating a colourful strip that also provided food and habitat for pollinators.
The project had another practical benefit: the vegetation helped catch litter blown from the road and nearby shopping area, making it easier for residents and volunteers to collect.
A Spectacular First Year
A Spectacular First Year
The wildflowers were particularly impressive in 2021, with poppies and cornflowers providing a colourful display along the fence. Volunteers also collected seeds so that some could be used again rather than buying new seed each year.
The project demonstrated how a small area of land could be managed differently to benefit both residents and wildlife.
For several years this was the summer scene showing weed killer use. Hopefully, it's now a thing of the past and never to be repeated.
Residents of Bailis Downs helped to transform the fence line with vivid red poppies. yellow, orange, & blue cornflowers enhancing the area.
Volunteers carried out seed harvesting in late summer and early autumn largely collecting poppies and cornflowers seeds.
Nature Took Over
Nature Took Over
Over the following years, the character of the strip changed. Some perennial wildflowers continued to appear, but grasses gradually became stronger and began to dominate the area.
By 2023, only a small number of the colourful flowers remained and the grass was increasingly overwhelming the wildflowers. Further sowing was therefore becoming less effective.
This is an important lesson for our biodiversity projects: not every wildflower planting method works permanently in every location. Sometimes the best approach is to adapt the project rather than continually trying to recreate an original display.
From 2022 onwards and perennial wildflowers dominated the strip with mainly oxeye daisy interjected by spears of yellow Mullen.
Irish Wildflower Seeds
Irish Wildflower Seeds
These can only be purchased from a handful of suppliers and are best suited to your grden. Please read the label carefully and ensure it says Native Irish Wildflower Seeds and another tell-tale sign will be the packet price - they are more expensive than most others and they need resowing each Autumn/Spring.
After reviewing theThe National Biodiversity Data Centre guidance we will now only sow localy collected wildflower seeds.
The Next Chapter
The Next Chapter
In 2026, the old wildflower strip was cleared because it had reached the end of its useful life. Rather than reseeding it, Johnstown Tidy Towns is now considering a more permanent solution.
One possibility is a native flowering and fruiting hedge along the fence line.
A hedge could provide:
🌿 A more permanent habitat for wildlife
🌸 Seasonal flowers and colour
🍎 Fruits and berries for birds and other wildlife
🐝 Food for pollinators
🛣️ Some screening from the road
🔇 A degree of visual and noise screening
🗑️ A natural barrier to help catch wind-blown litter
✂️ A more sustainable long-term alternative to repeatedly reseeding the area
Any future planting will need to take account of the site's conditions, particularly the strong grass growth and the increasingly dry summers.
2019 Stopping weedkiller use was critical.
2021 Burst of Native flowers seeded that Spring.
2023 Few flowers remain.
2026 Ground cleared and new proposals made.
What started as a wildflower experiment has therefore evolved into something more sustainable.
What started as a wildflower experiment has therefore evolved into something more sustainable.
The Bailis Downs fence line has shown what residents can achieve by working together and being willing to try new approaches. The next stage will be about finding a solution that looks good, supports nature and can thrive here for many years to come.
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
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