Cutting meadows

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Cutting meadows
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gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18415

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 15 9:22 pm Post subject:
Try contacting SABI (Scythe Assoc of Britain and ireland), see whether there are mowers in your area. If you can get it cut and carted off, I would recommend. It probably will make it much harder to cut next year. (voice of bitter experience here; and I've also seen it in other 'wildflower meadows')

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 15 7:30 am Post subject:

Cathryn wrote:

Thank you for your answers by the way. I knew them already. I realise that at some point Treac wants to cut hay which might have influenced them but really I was hoping that there might be some thought in different directions.

It does sound like it would make a lovely building plot, or is that not what you meant?

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 15 10:10 am Post subject:

Rob R wrote:

Cathryn wrote:

It does sound like it would make a lovely building plot, or is that not what you meant?

No need, house is already there. As for Cathryn's question, long term it would go back to woodland. Bracken is encroaching from the woodland boundary and that can be kept in check by mowing a wide path. Brambles may also spread but roe deer will keep them in check. There's a few rabbits about but not enough to make much difference to the grass and no red deer that I know of. (Red deer seem to get ignored round these parts as grazing animals by those that want funding to look after grassland). I expect they're be a few tree seedlings appearing, probably down to the jays planting nuts and seeds, but I can pull those out/transplant them easily enough.

gregotyn

Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 15 2:00 pm Post subject:

I have given my hay crop away for the last 10 years to a horse lady who wanted non fertilised grass to feed her little darlings and it has worked well for me. It is the only thing that happens to my grass, its annual cut! There are plenty of folks for whom an acre of grassland is all they need to feed their stock and prefer to know where it comes from. Before, when I had an acre paddock on which I fattened 6 lambs in winter, a local small dairy farmer was glad of that ground to make hay and give me 6 bales for my sheep's winter fodder. You just have to put it about locally and someone will turn up for your hay crop!

Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Sat Jun 27, 15 9:42 am Post subject:
For hay cutting, two things folks will want to know 1. Any rocks sticking up or stones lying on the surface 2. Any lumps and bumps/lots of molehills. Both of the above blunt, or even break, the blades on a mower.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sat Jun 27, 15 9:02 pm Post subject:
Molehills yes, in a field in one corner. Stones, who knows as there's a covering of tall grass and wild flowers at the moment. What about giant puffballs, there's quite a few of them?

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46210
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 15 2:21 pm Post subject:
stones are an issue even if scything

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 15 2:27 pm Post subject:
Puffballs, less so.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 15 9:19 pm Post subject:
Accidental pheasant Tsujigiri is a distinct possibility while scything, they seem to love the long grass at the moment.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46210
Location: yes

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 15 4:02 pm Post subject:
that is a mixed blessing,bad for birdie ,ideal for dinner

Jam Lady

Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2571
Location: New Jersey, USA

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 15 5:48 pm Post subject:
Can you burn it? https://www.bellewood-gardens.com/2015/Garden%20at%20Federal%20Twist-%20Burning%20Grasses_2015-03.html It is the preferred method for maintaining prairie / meadows here in the USA where the grassland is neither mowed nor grazed.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 15 6:55 pm Post subject:
Stubble burning was outlawed years back. Suspect not, therefore. Eta. Turns out burning is a legal option.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 15 8:18 pm Post subject:
Swaling (controlled burning of grass, heather, gorse etc) is quite common round these parts although on rougher ground. I wouldn't fancy having a go myself as my meadows next to a fair bit of gorse and woodland. I'd also like to get hold of the organic matter rather than burn it.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 15 11:59 pm Post subject:
Strangely by burning you also create organic matter.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15967

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 15 6:51 am Post subject:
You do create a certain amount of charcoal and also release nutrients like potash.

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