production can then be scaled up to meet customer requirements. Every year, different species are researched and trialed to further bolster the variety and availability of species in DLF’s wildflower seed mixtures in the future. Seed is sown using a precision drill and GPS steering, which enables a follow up run with a tractor mounted hoe to take out weeds between the rows. After a (hopefully successful!) growing season, comes harvest – either done by hand on smaller crops or by small- scale combine. Designed to be self-cleaning, these combines help to keep the fields and seed clean from mixing with previously harvested crops. After harvesting, the seed is slowly conditioned using ambient air in DLF’s purpose- built drying facility. Using ambient air ensures the seed isn’t dried out too rapidly, retaining its viability. From here, the cleaning process can begin. The first step is the pre-clean – taking out the bulky material like sticks and chaff. After pre-cleaning, seed is stored in boxes for fine cleaning in winter. DLF have a variety of cleaning machines that can separate seed by size, weight, length and even shape. This stage is critical to ensure the customer achieves the results they want from their plants. DLF are incredibly proud that seed is cleaned to 99.8% purity. The cleaned seed is then bagged up and put into humidity-controlled cold stores, where it enters dormancy to ensure viability stays as high as it can be. Pro Flora mixtures are designed with specific environments in mind, composed of native- origin wild flowers and low maintenance grass species which help the wild flowers to flourish while keeping more aggressive weeds at bay. Klaas concludes, “Having our own seed production in house allows us to keep complete control over seed quality and ensures that our customers get the best native wild flower seed possible. We are incredibly proud to work with all types of customer and environment – recovering spaces sustainably and supporting biodiversity and ecology.” PRO Flora 5
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