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The following is a short summary of the habitat type and how to create/enhance it to a "good" condition. For an informed position, please refer to official up-to-date Government guidance or the UK Government's Condition Assessment Sheet.

Description: Margins around arable fields on sandy or chalky soils, cultivated annually to conserve rare flora. The margins must be cultivated annually, meaning that the plants are cut down, soil cultivated and, in some cases, the flora re-planted/sown in order for the plants to regerminate, to conserve the rare flora. The arable field must be in a crop rotation that includes an arable crop (for example, wheat, barley, maize, oats), even if in certain years the field is in temporary grass, set-aside or fallow. If you are looking to create this habitat it should be around 6m wide.

There are no conditions for this habitat type.

Can be done in strips or blocks. Note that a competent person should demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge and experience in creating, enhancing and/or managing arable habitats. You may wish to note that advice will be sought from an agricultural land agent.

You should not create this habitat in:

• cool, north facing shaded locations, as most seeds will not germinate

• places with perennial and arable grass weed problems (Source: HM Government)

If you are interested in enhancing or creating this habitat, you should consider the following (all recommended by CIEEM or HM Government).

Guide 1 - Arable Field Margins

Guide 2 - Create cultivated margins and plots for arable plants

Guide 3 - Create and maintain flower-rich margins and plots

Guide 4 - Arable Field Margins

Please note that this is a simple guide to help identify the habitat. For a definitive description, please refer to UKHab documentation. Joe's Blooms takes no responsibility for the content of external links.