GR2: Standard seed mix for grassland habitat
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-10)

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the standard seed mix for grassland habitat item.

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Higher Tier capital grants 2025 guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-tier-capital-grants-2025) to understand the rules and how to apply.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht) to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£203 per hectare (ha)

How this item benefits the environment

It helps to create and restore grassland habitat of high environmental value. This means many species such as bees, butterflies, birds or bats will benefit. Using this item will not disturb archaeological features.

Where you can use this item

You can only use this item with the approval of your Natural England adviser to create or restore:
- wet grassland for breeding waders
- wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl
- grassland for target habitat, species and features
You can only use it with GR1: Create or restore grassland habitat (https://www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder/gr1-create-or-restore-grassland-habitat).

What you must do to use this item

You must:
- obtain a grassland seed mix that provides the right habitat for the grassland you’re creating or restoring – you’ll agree the mix in writing with your adviser
- use wildflower seed of native British origin if these are included in the seed mix
Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- a record of the seed mix used
- a copy of the advice from your adviser
Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025) for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht).

Actions you can use with this item

You can use this item with these Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier management actions:
- CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cgs19-manage-wet-grassland-for-wintering-waders-and-wildfowl)
- CGS20: Manage wet grassland for breeding waders (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cgs20-manage-wet-grassland-for-breeding-waders)
- CGS21: Manage grassland for target habitats, species or features (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cgs21-manage-grassland-for-target-habitats-species-or-features)
Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

GR2 is suitable for sites that do not need to be wildflower-rich, so will be more relevant for the wet grassland and grassland for target features actions. You can include wildflowers but if you want to create a species-rich habitat, you should use GR3: Floristically enhanced seed mix for grassland habitat instead (https://www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder/gr3-floristically-enhanced-seed-mix-for-grassland-habitat).

Which plants to use

You should decide the mix of seed you use based on the habitat you’re creating or restoring and the:
- soil type you have
- target features
- local species you want to support
For example, you can include a range of grasses as these contribute to the structure of the grass sward. You should avoid using grasses that may become the dominant plant (such as creeping red fescue).

You can include semi-improved grassland indicator species that are more likely to establish on soils with moderate nutrient status. Plants such as legumes and members of the daisy family (Asteraceae) will provide good nectar sources. If you’re aiming to restore or create a grassland habitat for a particular priority species, you should include their foodplants in the mix.

Wildflower seeds should be of native British origin and sourced locally where possible. Grass seed should only be native British grass species.

Choosing seed mixes for wet grassland habitats that support waders and wildfowl

You should choose a seed mix that’s suitable for the target birds. Grazing wildfowl generally prefer softer, finer grasses such as creeping bent and timothy. Marsh foxtail and creeping bent provide large amounts of seed for dabbling ducks and will naturally colonise inundated areas of the field. You should avoid planting tall and vigorous species that create tall and dense swards if you want to support breeding waders.

Use plant species that grazing livestock enjoy eating. Avoid using fine leaved amenity varieties of species such as red fescue. Livestock prefer not to graze them.

Agricultural grasses like ryegrass can provide a good ‘nurse’ crop as they help the sward quickly establish, suppress weeds and improve soil structure. Use short-lived rye-grass varieties that’ll die out naturally over a couple of years and will be supressed as water levels rise. However, the sward may need more intensive management (such as regular cutting) to keep on top of vigorous growth during the establishment years.

Choosing seed mixes for wet grassland on clay soils

Clay grazing marshes are typically species-poor, so it’s not usually necessary to include a wide range of wildflower species. When creating habitat on clay marshes that support geese and widgeon, you can include white clover at a low seed rate. It’s an important food source for them.