Flower-rich grass margins, blocks or in-field strips (updated for SFI26)

What you must do

You must establish a flower-rich grass mix as a margin, block or in-field strip on land entered into this action. You must use a seed mix which includes at least both: 4 grass species (not ryegrass) – these should make up no more than 90% of the total mix by weight 10 wildflower species – with no individual flower species being more than 25% of the total wildflower species element by weight Once the flower-rich grass margin, block or in-field strip is established (usually from the second spring after sowing), you must maintain it. To do this you must manage it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim. You must not do the following on the established flower-rich grass margin, block or in-field strip: cut or graze it with livestock in a way that means this action’s aim cannot reasonably be expected to be achieved use them for regular vehicular access, turning or storage (for example, storing bales or machinery) mechanically apply any fertilisers and manures apply pesticides, except for herbicides to weed wipe or spot treat to control injurious weeds, invasive non-native species, nettles or bracken You can maintain an existing flower-rich grass margin, block or in-field strip to get paid for this action, if it: meets this action’s requirements is not already being paid for under another environmental land management scheme option, such as CS option AB8 (flower rich margins and plots)

When to do it

If you’re establishing a new flower-rich grass margin, block or in-field strip to meet this action, you must: sow the mix by early autumn, within 12 months of this action’s start date maintain the mix at the same location until this action’s end date If you’re maintaining an existing flower-rich grass margin, block or in-field strip to meet this action, you must do this until this action’s end date. You may need to oversow it within 12 months of this action’s start date, so it can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as: field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices, including details of the seed mix used photographs or other documentation If it’s not clear that you’ve done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if we ask for it.

SFI26 actions v2.0, updated 7 July 2026 — verified 1 Aug 2026. Open official guidance