Mowing

Long grass is good for many creatures but unless it is mown regularly it turns into scrub and then woodland.  We want to retain areas of grassland for wildflowers, butterflies and other invertebrates.  This is why we have to cut the grass.

We use scythes because the steep slopes make it too dangerous for mowing machines.

Cutting the grass is only the first stage.  Then it has to be raked up and removed to allow flowering plants to re-grow.

 It's no bowling green but we cut out not only the long grass but also the dead thatch of previous years.

It's thirsty work.