[docsal]

Have just taken on a 4 acre Croft just outside Aberdeen. Am a complete novice but aim to have a forest garden, an orchard and space for a couple of sheep and pigs over summer for meat.
The plot has been empty for several years and the fields are in a poor state. I want to have 3 acres ploughed, harrowed and sow green manure to improve the soil prior to starting our various projects.

Does anyone know of a contractor we could hire to do this? The ones I found on the internet laughed when I told them about the size of our holding!

[Factotum]

You need to make friends with your nearest farming neighbours rather than try to engage a contractor who will be interested in larger jobs only - it's not worth their time to come to your 3 acres. A neighbour might see it differently and have a bit of time to plough your ground as a start for you...

You could ask at your nearest Agri supplier to get local contacts, get to know the folk in your village or at the village hall if there is one.

Good luck.

Sue

[stufe35]

Try your local vintage tractor club, there will often be an enthusiast with all the kit but no where to use it, will be delighted to come and work on a plot that size.
If there isnt a local club, look out for locally for an enthusiast or another small holder who might be happy to come and do the job for you (or will know someone who will). Tell tale signs are tractors in domestic garages..implements in gardens etc. Don't be afraid to just knock on their door and ask if they know any one who would be interested in..........the worst they can say is no.

Expect to pay by the hour rather than by the acre on this scale.

[Rupert the bear]

Try your local vintage tractor club, there will often be an enthusiast with all the kit but no where to use it, will be delighted to come and work on a plot that size.
If there isnt a local club, look out for locally for an enthusiast or another small holder who might be happy to come and do the job for you (or will know someone who will). Tell tale signs are tractors in domestic garages..implements in gardens etc. Don't be afraid to just knock on their door and ask if they know any one who would be interested in..........the worst they can say is no.

Expect to pay by the hour rather than by the acre on this scale.

Our local boys come and"play"/practice traditional methods when needed have had hay park reseeded this way and surplus hay made and taken off.well worth asking around

[bj_cardiff]

Do you really need to plough? Whats the fencing like? You could ask a neighbour to graze it down for you with cattle. In this area contracters are so paranoid about damaging their equipment (rightly so) that they wouldn't dream of driving into a rough field as you never quite know whats lurking under the grass if its not been grazed for a few years. The field could be littered with rocks, rusting equipment, overgrown ditches and very wet bits. Might be best to speak to your farmer neighbours and ask what the field was like before it was overgrown and if they vouch for it. They might know someone that would plough if for you?

[docsal]

Thanks all!
Asked neighbours who recommended a chap who does their ploughing. He was very friendly and came round for a look and a chat. He says it was ploughed about 7 years ago, not harrowed and now grass/weed covered with years of matted growth. He doesn't think a plough would get through it. And yes, as above there may be unknown 'stuff' lurking. He recommended Round-Up, followed by controlled burning!!!!! 'Maybe on  Sunday when everyone's at church'!!!!!!! Not at all keen to do this!
He reckons pigs would be our only alternative. We had hope to use pigs in the other fields in due course.
Meantime I think I'll brush cut a section and cover it in black plastic and see where we get to.
Any better ideas welcome.....

[clydesdaleclopper]

instead of plastic why don't you use a deep mulch (about 10 inches) of wood chip. It will kill off the vegetation and will rot down to improve your soil as well.