The Park Services team began this work in 2011 and has since then gradually expanded the area that is managed in a traditional way. By the end of July, the meadows are mowed, and the grass is dried and removed. Over time, this will draw nutrients out of the soil, benefitting species that are adapted to less nutrient-rich conditions than what we normally find in parks and other green spaces.
Experimental fields at T?rteberg
From 2017 to 2020, the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) carried out a study called “From grasslands to meadows: Nutrient depletion of soil and seed production of native flowering meadow species for increased biodiversity (2017-2020). One of the experimental fields of the study were at T?rteberg (Nedre Blindern), UiO.
Various methods of management and depletion of the soil was tested out at this field. As well as this, several common meadow species, like the ox-eye daisy, bladder campion and common harebell, were planted with seeds collected from Eastern Norway. Several of these species became well established in this field and can still be seen at T?rteberg today.
UiO has established meadows at T?rteberg, as well as by the chemistry building, Svein Rosselands hus and Kristen Nygaards hus. These are cut either by machine or with a scythe. Shallow areas with good access to light have the best potential when it comes to converting areas to meadows.
Converting a lawn to a meadow will be a test of patience (if you do not dig up the lawn and replace the soil). However, it could be a fun project to follow over a span of time. See if you can observe changes in the species composition from year to year.
Selected plants from the meadow at T?rteberg
Fern-leaf dropwort, Filipendula vulgaris
Common bird's-foot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus
Common toadflax, Linaria vulgaris