SW Grass Buffer Strips
SW Grass Buffer Strips provide a natural habitat for insects, including pollinators, and capable of reducing the risks from surface runoff water.
Ideal for areas at high risk of runoff, such as strips beside a watercourse or on natural drainage pathways, by establishing and managing grass buffer strips to protect soil and water
SW Countryside Stewardship mixtures are ideal for areas at high risk of runoff by establishing and managing grass strips to protect soil and water.
SW mixtures in detail
A mixture of grasses providing a natural habitat for insects, including pollinators, and capable of reducing the risks from surface runoff water.
- AberNiche festulolium
- Timothy
- Smooth-stalked meadow grass
- Meadow
- Fescue grass
- Creeping bentgrass
- Cocksfoot
SW1 Countryside Stewardship
4m to 6m buffer strip on cultivated land: This mix provides a new habitat next to existing features and/or prevents pollutant/sediment runoff when situated near a watercourse.
SW3 Countryside Stewardship
In-field grass strips: Ideally positioned on natural drainage pathways or parallel to the slope on long, sloping fields. This is to reduce the quantity of sediment, nutrients and pesticides moving within and between fields.
SW4 Countryside Stewardship
12m to 24m watercourse buffer strip on cultivated land: The purpose is to help reduce the risk of potential pollutants, such as sediment, pesticides and nutrients (mainly phosphate), being transported to watercourses in surface water runoff.
SW4 may also provide a habitat for wildlife, and form links between other habitats.
These mixtures are eligible for payments under the Countryside Stewardship Mid and Higher Tier agreements:
- SW1 – £451/ha
- SW3 – £658/ha
- SW4 – £612/ha
Find out more: DEFRA Countryside Stewardship grants
Ask the Germinal experts
You can ask a Germinal expert if you have questions relating to our Countryside Stewardship seed mixes.
How to sow SW Grass buffer strips mix successfully
• Remove any subsoil compaction where seedbed preparation is required
• Sow at a seed rate of 20 kg/ha
• Control weeds and cut regularly in the first 12-24 months of establishment
Further information
SW1 Requirements
- Establish or maintain a 4 to 6m wide grass buffer strip during the first 12 months
- Once established, cut between 1 and 3m of the strip next to the crop edge every year after 15th July
- Do not remove fallen timber; stack where obstructing management of buffer strip
- Keep photographs of the strip
SW3 Requirements
- Establish or maintain a dense grassy area during the first 12 months
- Once established, cut the entire area every year after 15th July
- Exclude all livestock from the strip
SW4 Requirements
- Establish or maintain a 12 to 24m wide grass buffer strip during the first 12 months
- Once established, cut 6m next to the crop edge every year after 15th July
- Do not remove fallen timber; stack where obstructing management of buffer strip
- Keep photographs of the strip
- Exclude all livestock from the strip
Common requirements to SW1, SW3 and SW4
- Do not apply fertilisers or manures
- Do not use pesticides, except for herbicides to weed wipe or spot treat injurious weeds, invasive non-native species, nettles or bracken
- Do not use for animal or vehicle access (SW3, SW4)
- Exclude all livestock from the strip (SW3, SW4)
- Keep records of all field operations including associated invoices
- Keep photographs of the strip (SW1, SW4)