Meadow mowing

[benedmonds]

I planted a community orchard a few years ago. We are trying to encourage wild flowers etc. Last year we used a walkbehind mower and strimmers to cut the grass which was not ideal. What would be the best tool. Only about an acre but grass left long. We want to remove cuttings is possible /practicle. Local construction co is giving away cash to needy causes.

[Andy Collins]

I'm a trustee for a local charity community park similar to yours. We used to mow with the reciprocating mowers, now we have an old tractor mounted finger bar mower for the wild flower meadow, and I use a tow behind Wessex mower for the rough areas, and lower it to do the footpaths. You've probably got some old boy around with an old Fergie and topper, include him in your team, most of them love somewhere to play with their kit!!

[farmer rod]

A drum mower will leave the grass in a row, much easier for picking up, finger mowers are so slow and prone to damage.

 

ah, edit , how wide are the tree rows? maybe not a drum mover in an orchard

[Farmerdowling]

Goats?

[hedgesparrow]

+1 for a drum mower find the local vintage tractor club bound to be a member with a small tractor and drum mower. or do it the old way with a hand scythe. look up British scythe association i saw some members in your area. get a expert with one do a acre in less than a day.

[hedgesparrow]

saw your other post re picking hay up. if you cut it with a knife or drum mower it will leave it in rows. if you want to pick it up then see if anyone has a small NF conventional baler and bale it. if its free of rag will be able to sell it as hay will not be the best but will get £3 a bale for it. lot of horsey people like rough hay as fodder. as it has not got a lot of sugar in so is good for horses who have lamintis problems and fresh hay can cause this

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

You MUST remove the cuttings. If you want a wild flower meadow...

[GardenKit]

I get a lot of customers wanting to buy a ride on mulching mower to cut their main lawns in the normal manner, but also insist that it is able to tackle the "wild flower" meadow once a year, a task that it is just not suitable for. Most domestic collector models will not cope either, without a lot of strain on the belts.

 

There is a lot of ignorance about wild flower meadows, most who want one do not realise the amount of work needed when it comes to cutting and carting it, and are not prepared for the effort and cost.

[difflock]

bingo!!!

[Nick H]

I use a compact tractor with mower and then a mini baler to do our community orchard. If you want to come and have a look, its just the south side of leicester give me a call on 0116 2572888.