Category Archives: Scytherspace

What’s the best scythe for a beginner?

Whether it’s for controlling the nettles and other weeds around your allotment, clearing an overgrown patch of garden or larger-scale mowing in a meadow or orchard, the Austrian scythe is a wonderful tool to use. I always sell scythes as a … Continue reading

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Learning to peen a scythe with the jig

A second day in Cumbria with two of the estate team learning how to peen Austrian scythes with the peening jig. Lewis and Lee already maintain a lot of the other tools for the team so they were chosen to … Continue reading

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Scything in the Cumbrian rain

Today, I’ve been back to CGP Publishing to teach a Learn to Scythe course in Cumbria. I came and taught a scything workshop for them a few years ago but, with their team expanding, they decided another course was in … Continue reading

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