Last Few Hours to Book - Learn To Scythe Day at Dalton Moor Farm, Seaham

Everything you need to know about scything and more, gathered together into a one day training. Learn about the scythe and its parts, how to set it up, how to maintain it, and how to use it to cut grass, scrub, fields, gardens, pathways, allotments, in fact any place you might have thought to use a strimmer, to keep your green space managed and tidy.

Scything is rapidly becoming more popular as a way to maintain lawns and meadows. Conservation charities and gardening groups, as well as individuals, are all getting on board with this traditional tool. With their light weight and ease of use, many people find scythes are an ideal substitute for powered machines.

Scything has lots of advantages over powered garden tools

• Cheaper to buy than strimmers/brushcutters and mowers. 
• Costs nothing to use each time you mow. You aren't using fuel or electricity regularly.
• No other ongoing costs, like oil ,grease, cord etc.
• You can maintain a scythe yourself, so there are no servicing costs.
• No atmospheric pollution from petrol fumes.
• No noise pollution from engines.
• No environmental pollution from bits of plastic cord being spread across the landscape.
• No need for ear, eye or face protection. You can get away without gloves or steel capped boots if you want. 
• More pleasant to work as a team. Safe mowing distance between scythes is 3 meters. Safe mowing distance between strimmer operators 15 meters.
• Regular scything is a great cardio exercise and core strength builder. 

Why Use a Scythe?

People are returning to using the Scythe in place of motorised mowers and strimmers and there are lots of really good reasons why.

• Scything is useful, practical and economically sensible.
• The Scythe needs only ‘man’ or ‘woman’ power, with no need for fossil fuels, so cleaner and cheaper,
• it is quiet and mindful without the noise of a brush cutter (strimmer) or mower, allowing the user to listen to birdsong while working.
• Used properly it is good exercise and should cause no strain, keeping us fit and connected to our land.
• It’s kinder to wildlife, with fewer casualties caused by cutting grasses and ‘weeds’, than other mechanical methods, as most creatures can scurry out of the path of the blade which takes only a narrow cut at each sweep.
• it is versatile and can be used in lots of different locations and different applications

Different lengths, strengths and designs of the blades allow cutting of grasses, herbs and more woody plants such as brambles and bracken, also in wide open meadows or small gardens, paths, orchards, and more. And not all the grass etc needs to be cut at the same time. A few minutes of scything here and there can be slotted in to any day and mowing of a small area can generate grass for mulching, or some hay for your bunny.

Whatever size your plot there is an application for a scythe.

Some examples of people using scythes

• Orchards, vineyards, clearing under and around trees or vines without damaging them
• Berry cane thinning and weed removal
• to keep grasses down around edges of lawns and between rows or beds.
• farmers to clear under electric fences and in corners
• periodic hay making for animal feed in place of or to supplement purchased hay
• for the fun of it.
• to put away the lawn mower to save on fuel and repairs..
• in place of a brush cutter to clear overgrown fields and bring them back to useful pasture or hayfield.
• for thinning saplings at the edges of fields to keep back encroaching brush.
• use on soft ground where heavy machinery may cause damage, soil compaction or sink
• on steep slopes
• for exercise.
• mowing in dry conditions to avoid fire risk from machinery
• harvest grass for garden mulch and compost.
• keep edges of ponds clear
• keep down unwanted growth along roadsides..
• save a crop of hay or grain that has been blown flat by bad weather.
• harvest flowers, deadheading

If you have ever wondered how our ancestors managed their grasslands before power tools were born, here is your chance to find out first hand with a fun day of learning led by experienced ‘Austrian Scythe’ instructor John Grundy who is based right here in the North East.

John Grundy a registered SABI* trainer in the use of Austrian Scythes a number of courses are offered throughout the year.

A days training includes

• Anatomy of the scythe
• Setting up the scythe
• Mowing techniques
• Blade honing with a whet stone
• Meadow management
• Peening the blade using a jig
• Maintenance of the scythe and blade through the year

We will learn as a small group out in the meadows or orchards at Dalton Moor Farm, enjoying fun, fresh air and friendship.

Everything is provided on the day so there’s no need to worry that you don’t have a scythe of your own (yet) and you will learn what you need to know to be able to choose the best scythe for you and your patch should you decide to get your own after the day’s course.

Dress appropriately for working outdoors, so comfy clothes and sturdy boots. Keep legs and arms covered and avoid gaps in clothing at your ankles as there is always a risk of ticks or other biting insects, scratches or stings. Also bring waterproof outer layers in case of the typical English weather turning to rain on the day.

Please remember to bring a refillable water bottle (no single use plastic bottles please) to keep you hydrated, and bring your plant based packed lunch.