Smallholders Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: Micro Meadow Management  (Read 3156 times)

southernskye

  • Joined Apr 2011
  • Isle of Skye - Scotland
Micro Meadow Management
« on: August 11, 2012, 01:50:39 pm »
Afternoon all.
At my new place we have an area beside where we have a vast washing drying green that is left rough and meadow-like. It is only about 30 paces by a hundred (at a rough guess). Currently it is around a foot tall with many flowers within.
I would like to retain this area and wondered how best to manage it so?
 
currently I am pondering cutting it back with my scythe in late autumn then raking up the debris to compost.
 
Advice most welcomed.
rgds
Sskye.
Rgds
Sskye

Brucklay

  • Joined Apr 2010
  • Perthshire
    • Brucklay Pygmy Goats
    • Facebook
Re: Micro Meadow Management
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2012, 08:50:14 pm »
I think I would do what your planning - although my scythe won't be here till my birthday  :fc: 
Pygmy Goats, Shetland Sheep, Zip & Indie the Border Collies, BeeBee the cat and a wreak of a building to renovate!!

southernskye

  • Joined Apr 2011
  • Isle of Skye - Scotland
Re: Micro Meadow Management
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2012, 08:55:01 am »
Thanks Brucklay.

Yes, cannot really think what else to do. I will check it through as soon as I get a chance to dig out/remove anything 'nasty'  and then scythe back and rake. then scythe several times through the darker months until early spring, then leave it to do as it wishes.

Austrian Scythe assume you are getting?
They are nice although I am still playing around with the handle positions and the blade angle at the moment to try and get it "just so" for me. Do feel quite fragile but that it just the lightness of them i think. Only had mine a few months and, as i currently work away, not had chance to use it often.
good luck with yours :thumbsup:
Rgds
Sskye
Rgds
Sskye

Moleskins

  • Joined Sep 2009
  • England
Re: Micro Meadow Management
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2012, 09:30:56 am »
If this is a wildflower meadow, can you make a bit of hay from it, then when you feed it to the animals the seeds go through and get spread that way. Or dry it and shake some seeds out to sell, spread or whatever.
Spread the love as it were.
Time flies like an arrow but fruit flies like a banana.

suziequeue

  • Joined Feb 2010
  • Llanidloes; Powys
Re: Micro Meadow Management
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2012, 12:18:19 pm »
Quote
Austrian Scythe assume you are getting?

I swear by my Aurstrian scythe. I bought it from Simpon Fairlie a couple of years ago and it's FAB. I have a grass blade for - guess what?.... grass... and a bush blade for hacking through brambles and undergrowth.
 
Next year I am planning to get two more medium sized handles that out WWOOFers can get scytheing aswell.
 
It's such a lovely way to cut grass and it gives wildlife time to get out of the way before the blade swings across. At the weekend I found the most enormous elephant hawk moth larvae as well as numerous mice and frogs.
 
It's great for core stability and strength - so really good for low back pain sufferers.
We do the best we can with the information we have

When we know better we do better

Brucklay

  • Joined Apr 2010
  • Perthshire
    • Brucklay Pygmy Goats
    • Facebook
Re: Micro Meadow Management
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2012, 07:40:24 pm »
So that's my back sorted then - great - Suzie Q - I used to use a old heavy one as a youngester I hoping I can recapture the technique
Pygmy Goats, Shetland Sheep, Zip & Indie the Border Collies, BeeBee the cat and a wreak of a building to renovate!!

suziequeue

  • Joined Feb 2010
  • Llanidloes; Powys
Re: Micro Meadow Management
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2012, 08:09:52 am »
I find I get into a zone with mine. The rhythmn, the sound, the swaying.......  :thinking:
We do the best we can with the information we have

When we know better we do better

 

pasture management - equipment /management recommendations please

Started by smudger (9.94)

Replies: 5
Views: 6356
Last post February 12, 2012, 11:13:05 am
by lachlanandmarcus
Hay Meadow

Started by Blinkers (7.93)

Replies: 17
Views: 9554
Last post August 28, 2011, 10:49:53 am
by Blinkers
Meadow; To Top or Not?

Started by TestValleyDevons (7.93)

Replies: 5
Views: 2252
Last post September 06, 2017, 03:58:23 pm
by TestValleyDevons
Managing wet meadow

Started by Harebell (7.84)

Replies: 15
Views: 7782
Last post August 27, 2014, 11:46:59 am
by Harebell
Advice on getting meadow back in order

Started by borg (7.66)

Replies: 7
Views: 3076
Last post September 22, 2014, 11:09:25 am
by borg

Forum sponsors

FibreHut Energy Helpline Thomson & Morgan Time for Paws Scottish Smallholder & Grower Festival Ark Farm Livestock Movement Service

© The Accidental Smallholder Ltd 2003-2023. All rights reserved.

Design by Furness Internet

Site developed by Champion IS