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Hand Haymaking 2014 – whatever the weather
After the Social Mow on Sunday, Phil and I began work on the cut grass with the intention of making hay from it, given the unsettled forecast. We began about 3pm on Sunday afternoon. It had been overcast most of
Social Mow 2014
We had our annual Social Mow on Sunday. A couple of people had camped over the night before and we began mowing soon after 8am. We didn’t have blazing sunshine, but the cooler, damper conditions did make the mowing easier.
Hay Making 2014 – After a course
On Wednesday 9th July we ran another full Introductory Scythe Course. It is always interesting to learn about where our course participants have come from and what they intend to use the scythe for. This time it included controlling bracken
One Man Went to… Wimpole
What does a Scyther do in his spare time? Why enter scythe competitions of course! While Phil has been going to the West Country Scythe Festival since it’s beginning, he had never made it to the Eastern Counties Scythe Festival
Biodiversity at Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust
The picture below is of a moth trap glowing at the bottom of one of the Trust’s hay meadows. This was set up on the evening of Monday 30th June and shone brightly for several hours through the night, looking
Social Mowing Day 13th July 2014
Just a quick reminder that we will be having our annual Social Mow on the meadows of Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, near Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, on Sunday 13th July. This is a chance for mowers experienced and novice to meet
Hay Making 2014 – Making hay when the weather breaks
On Wednesday (25th June), Philip and two volunteers cut a section of hay knowing that the dry weather was unlikely to last long enough to fully cure the hay. This is the situation when we use hay racks. Racks can
Hay Making 2014 – Mackerel Sky
“Mackerel Sky, Mackerel Sky, Never long wet, Never long dry. The weather is changing so it is time to bring in the last of the hay that is ready…. Bringing in the last of the hay at 8pm this evening
Things We Do With a Scythe 5 – mowing a Labyrinth
I mowed a Labyrinth into the Top Field for a Summer Solstice celebration we held at the Trust on 22nd June. Using our trimming scythe and a Profisense 50cm blade I mowed a narrow path through the wild flowers based