19 Sept 2026
A sharper way to care for Grove Farm’s meadows 🌾
On the 19th of September five trainees from Friends of Grove Farm spent the day learning how to use a practical low impact method to care for our meadows, the Austrian Scythe. Paid for in part by a grant from London National Park City, we felt we had really learnt a key skill.
None of us had used a scythe before, but by the end of the day we had a greater appreciation of just how much care and technique is required to effectively use one. This was in no small way thanks to our trainer for the day Richard Brown of Wild scythe. Richard combines practical scythe instruction with meadow management thanks being an ecologist, botanist and scythesman.
A traditional method of meadow management
Scythes are part of our history, providing the principal method to cut and manage hay meadows, helping to ensure that flower-rich and biologically diverse habitat has been available for wildlife for hundreds of years before machinery became the norm.
Today they offer an effective and quieter alternative option to sites such as Grove Farm Local Nature Reserve, where habitat management means areas are treated carefully to maximise the effect for nature. At various times of year some vegetation is cut and removed, while others are allowed to grow as normal, influencing what can be seen on site.
Learning safe, effective technique
Beginning the day with a health and safety briefing, Richard took us through the principles of safe working with the Scythe and working in teams, as well as protecting members of the public who would be using the site.
We also learnt about the correct posture and balance to use a scythe effectively, conserving energy and protecting ourselves from injury. Richard introduced stances and techniques influenced by tai chi and medieval swordsmanship to ensure that we moved with the scythe effectively. The objective (which wasn’t always successful) being to use weight transfer and a stable stance to create a smooth action rather than trying to force the blade through the vegetation.
Additionally, the group was interested in learning more with questions ranged widely throughout the day: from history of scything, versions of scythes, meadow management and general guidance on further practice.
The Scythes
For our needs at Grove Farm, we used a 64cm blade which is shorter and stronger than the typical blades that you would traditionally see for hay cutting, as they are better suited to tackling coarser meadow vegetation and scrub. The blade is attached to the snath (the long pole that forms a major part of the scythe), with snaths available for most hights. Finally, handles are positioned at the correct distances so that the user is comfortable with the tool.
Implementing the training
The area chosen to practice on is our lower meadow that is currently covered in stinging nettles. Ternately swinging the scythes, we worked to get the rhythm, focusing on ensuring the blade was kept low and sweeping in an arc. Richard monitored us, watching our technique, while suggesting minor improvements. Some areas were more difficult than others, especially where the vegetation had been flattened by wildlife which made it hard to cut, however Richard taught us how to rotate the scythes in order to clear these areas too.
In just 45 minutes, five complete beginners and managed to clear approximately 200 square meters. Not bad for a first attempt.
The less glamourous part came next. Raking up the cut vegetation. No one enjoys dealing with arisings (the vegetation left cut on the ground), but this is an essential part of meadow management. Leaving too much material on the ground can smoother smaller plants and adds nutrients to the area favouring grasses and stinging nettles. The arisings on this occasion, user to create habitat piles in the woods, where they can provide shelter and structure for invertebrates and other wildlife.
The day concluded with how to care for scything blades, where we covered storage and aftercare or peening. Peening is the traditional method for ensuring that a blade can be sharpened.
What the team thought:
Susan:
“Like everything, it looks simple but the technique obviously requires some practice to perfect.”
Sue:
“I was apprehensive about scything before our course, and was so happy to find Richard to be a very calm, patient, kind gentleman and a good scything teacher. The day was enjoyable, a mixture of theory and practical training including how to assemble and look after the scythes and our postures. I look forward to the next training course with Richard and hopefully making scything progress on our beautiful meadows in the meantime.”
Mike:
"I had been looking forward to taking a scything course for some time, but I had assumed there was not much technique to it. How wrong I was. Learning the correct stance and how to transfer my weight properly made such a difference.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and Richard’s guidance. By the end of the session, I felt I could happily have continued into the evening, clearing the rest of the area, if time had allowed and everyone's least favourite job of raking up the arisings hadn't been necessary."
Amrita:
"I was very concerned that I would not be able to cope as I had the idea that scythes were heavy and unwieldy. However, the trainer Richard was excellent. He explained each step fully and ensured we all understood completely before he proceeded. We learned how to put together a scythe, all the health and safety aspects of handling a scythe, correct position and use of a scythe and maintenance and repair of a scythe. It was a comprehensive course. We were supervised throughout. I was surprised at how easy it was to use a scythe and how effective a tool it was. We managed to cut a large area in the short time we had. It was well worth attending the course and I now feel confident to use the scythe on my own. The bonus was the lovely lunch at the Brokengate Cafe!"
Paayal:
"I really enjoyed learning about how to use an Austrian scythe; I was surprised by how efficient the tool was and enjoyed working as part of a group to clear an area in Grove Farm. I would in my own time love to continue practicing the methods taught by Richard, the impact of the learning was more than I could've hoped for! "