Ultimately, the primary reason we scythe is to create diversity within grassland.

One of the most effective ways to allow our native diversity to thrive is simply through a change in management and reducing cuts.

Whether you have one square metre or 40 acres, the key is to encourage diversity in native grasses, sedges and wildflower.

A diverse area rich in native wildflower and grasses which is allowed to actually grow to seed will be an area rich in invertebrate life. An area rich in invertebrate diversity will attract mammalian, avian and reptilian insectivores. An area rich in those will attract apex predators. In short, looking after, and encouraging diversity the base level of the food pyramid allows this to filter upwards.

The real key to making this happen is letting your chosen area grow long then mowing it when what you want to keep has seeded then removing all of the arisings (cuttings).

This, when done over time reduces the fertility of the soil, particularly if the area is grass dominant as is often the case when converting said area, meaning many of our native wildflowers can establish.

This is often pioneered and helped along by addition of Yellow-Rattle which parasitises grass roots, diminishing their dominance, and opens the sward (the skin of the ground) allowing more seed in.

Yellow-Rattle though, is a great help, but not a magic bullet and when added often needs a particular maintenance schedule for a few years.

Such areas can be created without the scythe of course, and we are happy to provide advice, as establishment of areas is our chief concern. Not to mention a very important, yet relatively easy, way of giving back to our local environment. But the scythe is by far and away the most efficient way of mowing (by hand) grassland areas left to grow long. Many people have areas that often too small or awkward for a mechanical option.

Some longer musings on ‘wildflower meadows’ here.