[gerpsych]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can give me some advice. I am making hay (by hand) and am using a small (generally shady meadow) and unfortunately I have to go away for Monday and Tuesday due to an unavoidable crisis. The hay is not yet dry and I wondered what I am best to do. Leave it in rows to minimise the dew effect or leave it spread out to get the benefit of the sun (no-one can turn it on these days) ? If I leave it in rows should I minimise the number of these to keep the surface area as low as possible, or vice versa ?

Thanks, in advance,  for any advice

Cheers

PS Haylage is probably not an option, we are a low tech very small smallholding

[Fleecewife]

I would leave it rowed up so the air can get through it, and there is the minimal amount in contact with the ground.  I wouldn't heap more than one windrow together though.  It will stand like that fine for a couple of days, especially if it doesn't rain.  When you get back, turn each windrow upside down into the neighbouring gap, so the ground which has been covered for the two days has a chance to dry, and the bottom hay to catch up with the rest.  Then carry on turning and spreading as normal - it won't come to any harm, so don't worry about it.

[gerpsych]

I would leave it rowed up so the air can get through it, and there is the minimal amount in contact with the ground.  I wouldn't heap more than one windrow together though.  It will stand like that fine for a couple of days, especially if it doesn't rain.  When you get back, turn each windrow upside down into the neighbouring gap, so the ground which has been covered for the two days has a chance to dry, and the bottom hay to catch up with the rest.  Then carry on turning and spreading as normal - it won't come to any harm, so don't worry about it.

Thanks fleecewife that is useful advice and reassuring

Many thanks

[smudger]

Agree pile it into windrows - the wind/breeze is as good as drying as sun. Just jealous not making any this year .

[gerpsych]

Thanks for the advice, it worked, we have the hay in now and can relax a bit. I would be very happy if it would rain now, perverse blighter that I am. Only the task of baling by hand to be done now