This course will be taught over 2 sessions on the 9th and 16th June, 6PM- 8PM. Attendees must be able to attend both sessions.

A scythe is an economical and efficient tool for mowing small to medium areas of grassland. There are many benefits to using a scythe, including:

• Less disruptive to wildlife than machinery
• Doesn't require fossil fuels to operate
• Better control over when and where to cut
• Easy to use on sites that are too small or inaccessible for machines

With a little guidance, practice and a sharpened scythe, it’s easy to manage the grass around your fruit trees.

Expert mower, Luke Justice, will cover:

1. How to set up the scythe to your size & adjust the blade
2. Ergonomic mowing style for more efficient cutting and less stress on the body
3. Sharpening the blade

You will need to bring suitable clothing and footwear (steel toe caps are not necessary). It can be possible to borrow a scythe for a trail afterwards.

Meanwood Valley Urban Farm has plenty of cycle parking with easy access by bike.

We want this event to be accessible for as many people as possible, so tickets are available on a PAYF basis.

Covid-19 might mean we have to change the date, but we would be in touch with registered participants at least a week before the scheduled date if that is the case.

This is part of a programme of short training courses that you might also be interested in: formative pruning; restorative pruning; bench grafting; top grafting; summer pruning & bud grafting.