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Author Archives: stevetomlin
Beginners scything course in Cumbria
Summer is finally here and I enjoyed a sunny day with this group at Brigflatts Meeting House in Sedbergh, Cumbria. I’ve been teaching scything courses for beginners at this site for 10 years now and it’s always a treat to … Continue reading
Hay Rake making workshop in Staffordshire
An action-packed day with Groundwork West Midlands teaching a group how to make wooden hay rakes at Silverdale Country Park. We started by cleaving a green ash log for the rake heads and stripping the bark off some straight hazel … Continue reading
Manchester meadows
Another damp day didn’t spoil a great Learn to Scythe course at Highfield Country Park in Manchester. Local volunteers came to learn and help manage the ‘meadow rooms’ that we’re creating on the site. There’s a growing Manchester scything scene … Continue reading
Yellow rattle in urban meadow
I’ve been working with some local volunteers at Highfield Country Park in Levenshulme, Manchester to manage a few areas to try and create small meadows to enhance the biodiversity. Last autumn, we sowed yellow rattle seed which I’d collected from … Continue reading
Scything workshop in Lancashire sunshine
A sunny day and another lovely group on my Learn to Scythe workshop this weekend at Bell Skyes in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. Especially gratifying for me to have Adam in the group who introduced himself as ‘the reluctant … Continue reading
Learn to Scythe book
If youve taken part in No Mow May 2024 or are interested in creating a wildflower meadow, you may be thinking about buying an Austrian scythe. I always recommend that people attend a scythe workshop to learn the best way … Continue reading
Scythe workshop in North Yorkshire
My first public Learn to Scythe workshop for the 2024 season took place this weekend at Foxglove Covert LNR in North Yorkshire. Seven beginners spent the morning learning to set up the Austrian scythes and how to hone to maintain … Continue reading
Local councils join No Mow May 2024
It’s great to read that 40 local councils have signed up to No Mow May 2024 to leave some of their verges and parks to grow and increase biodiversity. Is your local council one of them?
May whistle instructions
May Day is a traditional time of year to make a simple wooden whistle from the hedgerow. While the sap is rising, you can slip the bark off a stick as a tube then carve the airway and cavity. It’s … Continue reading
No Mow May 2024
Whatever size your meadow or garden is, No Mow May is a worthwhile project to try and see what plants grow. Obviously, the timing will depend on where you are in the world and the species you already have but … Continue reading