tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post4179069080723522746..comments2024-03-28T14:37:45.575-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Unexpected Hay HarvestLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-37824098838342073172018-08-10T21:22:42.972-04:002018-08-10T21:22:42.972-04:00Phil, that's a real shame about the hay field....Phil, that's a real shame about the hay field. As we all learn the hard way, any bare ground is at nature's choice. I do a lot of broadcasting by hand and although it isn't the best method, it works. Red clover would be a good option for you.<br /><br />M.K., yes, it works best on the long grasses! Really need our sickle mower working for the shorter stuff.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-37085179997061094982018-08-10T07:13:49.815-04:002018-08-10T07:13:49.815-04:00My husband likes using his European scythe too, on...My husband likes using his European scythe too, on the tall grass. Such a cool tool!M.K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-60801448178628223692018-08-05T19:50:38.600-04:002018-08-05T19:50:38.600-04:00I'm glad the goats approved. It's gratifyi...I'm glad the goats approved. It's gratifying when there is a good haycrop. I have quite a bit of hayland, but the guy who was cutting and baling it decided to plough it up this spring and has done nothing since, except disking part of it. It hasn't been seeded and is now full of weeds. Unfortunately I don't own the equipment to get this all done myself. I bought some red clover seed and am thinking I will at least seed the part that's been disked, but I'll need to broadcast it by hand. Well, live and learn. Thanks for the post.The Wykeham Observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04223636697571715201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-69994307447953275992018-08-04T15:13:38.319-04:002018-08-04T15:13:38.319-04:00Ann, after I read your comment I immediately had t...Ann, after I read your comment I immediately had to go to Lehman's website to see! Yes, theirs looks like a European type (I've also seen them called Austrian scythes.) Dan prefers linseed oil as a finish for the snath. He says the problem with varnish is that it wears off unevenly and so isn't the best protection for the wood. For some really excellent scything videos, check out <a href="https://onescytherevolution.com/index.html" rel="nofollow">One Scythe Revolution</a>. Botan also sells a nice variety of scythe blades (and the hay rake).Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-17727540040975738252018-08-04T15:02:15.332-04:002018-08-04T15:02:15.332-04:00TB, exactly! Except it's making hay out of wee...TB, exactly! Except it's making hay out of weeds. :)<br /><br />Goatldi, I'm not really sure how much we'll need to get a full winter's supply. We planted more hay this year, but some of it hasn't done as well as we'd hoped, maybe too much rain. I'm tempted to buy hay now anyway, while there is something half-way decent available. The hay around here is generally very poor quality, i.e. people aren't really growing hay, they're just baling neglected fields. Waiting to see if the paspalum grows back. I hope so! In one of those PDFs I found at that link it said several cuttings can be had, which would be great. I'm glad you liked the link! Really useful, no matter what part of the country one lives in.<br /><br />Sam, that's very true about height! We've visited a number of Civil War museums and it's amazing how small the uniforms are. Looks like they'd only fit a young teenager today. I'm guessing that the reproducer of those scythes either didn't understand the mechanics of scything, or is just making replicas as decorative items. We see a lot of old tools for sale as "yard art." As far as the heat, I have to say that one of the benefits of living without air conditioning is being better acclimated to it. Yes, it still feels hot and we drink lots of water, but it isn't such a shock to the system as when coming outdoors after being in AC. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-68015291501322576752018-08-04T14:55:42.284-04:002018-08-04T14:55:42.284-04:00We recently bought a scythe from Lehman's. It...We recently bought a scythe from Lehman's. It must be a European style since we did have to choose a length and the hand grips can be moved. All the wooden parts came unfinished. Do you have a preferred finish for tools like this? My husband is thinking varnish but it's not too late if you have other advice. Thanks!Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988385986854478950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-50687813393493544802018-08-04T11:02:28.643-04:002018-08-04T11:02:28.643-04:00Well Leigh that link is a gem.
I read most of th...Well Leigh that link is a gem. <br /><br />I read most of the way through and what a treat! <br /><br />This morning as the Pyrs and walked the back 21 I was seeing it with new eyes. Some of what was out there I was aware of. But I found half a dozen new natives today. Now to goat test 😂Goatldihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07222031369656684797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-48552756532547702402018-08-04T10:24:24.108-04:002018-08-04T10:24:24.108-04:00People in America are taller than they used to be....People in America are taller than they used to be. I recently saw people scything on t.v. and it was amazing...europe for sure. You are so right they use a hip motion and go quite quickly once they get the rhythm....it was a group side by side doing an entire field as they didn't have automated equipment....saves our atmosphere too! It's still hard work out in the hot sun though. Bless your husband and you both for working so hard. You're an inspiration! But I just cannot stand the heat anymore. It never used to bother me and I could work outside all day but maybe it's true that the older you get the 'extremes' of temperature bother you more? Stay cool and hydrated and get out early! LOL! Sam I Am......https://www.blogger.com/profile/17358633233189452832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-51137318275951325172018-08-03T23:46:51.409-04:002018-08-03T23:46:51.409-04:00How often will you hay to get what you need for th...How often will you hay to get what you need for the winter? Will you get multiple cuttings from this native surprise ? I have often imagined what it would be like to farm somewhere that supplemental water would not be needed. Heck in most of California one can't even garden without some form of daily watering. <br /><br />Thanks for the link. Will be fun to see what I find out. Good post and good work! Goatldihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07222031369656684797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-206578719372494212018-08-03T23:35:14.891-04:002018-08-03T23:35:14.891-04:00Excellent example of making lemonade out of lemons...Excellent example of making lemonade out of lemons. Well done.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-14466680332862742842018-08-03T21:03:34.281-04:002018-08-03T21:03:34.281-04:00Lady Locust, good idea about the county cooperativ...Lady Locust, good idea about the county cooperative extension service. I'll have to check their website too. <br /><br />Ed, a scythe is a very handy tool. Very pleasant work once you get the knack. <br /><br />Mike, well, it just volunteered! If it was something the goats didn't like, we would just cut it and let it decay back into the soil. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-68696534643316072742018-08-03T19:29:37.220-04:002018-08-03T19:29:37.220-04:00I never considered getting the wrong seed for past...I never considered getting the wrong seed for pasture grass. If the goats didn't like it what would you do with all of it?<br />Do you have to plow under all of the paddock and replant?Mike Yukonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07615350717597229013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-9662336236083946882018-08-03T09:30:15.253-04:002018-08-03T09:30:15.253-04:00We always had a scythe (and probably still do) bac...We always had a scythe (and probably still do) back on the farm for those area where a tractor and mower can't get too and it is too much work to go start the weed wacker for such a small area. It isn't much but enough to appreciate how much work went into Dan doing your entire paddock!Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-65912710055780927822018-08-03T08:45:22.182-04:002018-08-03T08:45:22.182-04:00Love the sythe and rake. Might contact your count...Love the sythe and rake. Might contact your county extension service about identifying the grass. They can be a great resource. Lady Locusthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12661298925602199106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-11520113074758579222018-08-03T05:19:42.722-04:002018-08-03T05:19:42.722-04:00Exactly!Exactly!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-86617583445333950542018-08-03T01:11:31.084-04:002018-08-03T01:11:31.084-04:00I don't do any serious mowing with a scythe an...I don't do any serious mowing with a scythe anymore, but I sold my weed-whacker and went back to the scythe for trim work. It's quiet, always starts, and produces no fumes.Gorges Smythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777621500611603786noreply@blogger.com