tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8610153724082539314.post3519345916864761638..comments2023-06-21T01:58:51.883-07:00Comments on Scythe Connected: Q&A: Mowing in FloridaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8610153724082539314.post-52148152804953483442011-07-01T16:19:49.478-07:002011-07-01T16:19:49.478-07:00Hi,
This is Bill, "the guy in Florida."...Hi, <br /><br />This is Bill, "the guy in Florida." I'm still using the scythe, and I'm still very pleased with it. As I say in the original post, most of the time I cut the grass high because bahia resents a close cut. This is to say, I cut mainly the V-shaped seedheads and just the tips of the grass blades. Cutting high this way is easy and quick. But it must be done frequently because, as you know, Bahia grows very quickly in the summer. I usually give the lawn a quick pass of the scythe every 4 days or so in the July, August, and September. (On a farm or in rural areas, it probably wouldn't be necessary to mow so frequently). Most of the time I don't even bother raking up the cuttings after mowing because they're mainly just seed heads. They don't interfere with the growth of the lawn.<br /><br />In late fall, I will give the Bahia lawn a close cut, and this requires a bit more effort because by then the grass is thick and tough. This close cut also leaves a lot of cuttings that must be raked up or at least spread out. Otherwise it looks like I have piles of hay out in the yard. <br /><br />I also use the scythe to cut wildflower meadow areas once or twice a year. The scythe is very good for this, much better than a string trimmer in my experience. <br /><br />The only disadvantage I can think of to using a scythe in the Deep South is the long growing season. I'm mowing the lawn at least once a week for nearly six months out of the year, and, as I said, even more frequently during the rainy season. <br /><br />And, as you know, it's hot and humid here, even in the early morning and late evening hours--the usual mowing times. Using the scythe is not hard labor, but it is physical exercise, and you're going to be doing it under hot and humid conditions. I still prefer it to pushing a mower or handling a string trimmer. That said, when I come in at night after scything in July or August, I'm totally drenched. <br /><br />The main challenge for me has not been the physical effort but learning technique--both how to mow well and how to preen and sharpen the blade. I've read (and re-read, and re-read) Tresemer's "The Scythe Book" and Peter Vido's afterward, along with Peter Vido's website and this blog. My technique has improved. <br /><br />I guess the advantage to using a scythe in the South is that the long growing season gives us extra practice. <br /><br />My main weak point is mowing tight spots (like narrow lawn paths) and around obstacles (stepping stones, flower pots). I'm improving, but I suspect I need a shorter blade for these areas. <br /><br />Steve has sent me your e-mail. I'll write to you. I'd be glad to show the scythe to you. <br /><br />Best of luck. <br /><br />BillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8610153724082539314.post-33610038845007892162011-07-01T13:11:45.421-07:002011-07-01T13:11:45.421-07:00Email address received from Georgia and forwarded ...Email address received from Georgia and forwarded to Florida.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04621299392098888330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8610153724082539314.post-72058767023899045762011-07-01T09:24:26.735-07:002011-07-01T09:24:26.735-07:00To the person in Georgia, if you like you can &quo...To the person in Georgia, if you like you can "Post a Comment" here with your email address, and I will forward it to the guy who uses a scythe in Florida so he can reply to you directly. I would not actually post your email address on this blog (I moderate the comments and can decline to post them).Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04621299392098888330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8610153724082539314.post-50818928967510144512011-07-01T06:07:16.147-07:002011-07-01T06:07:16.147-07:00I live in Central Georgia on a farm with lots of b...I live in Central Georgia on a farm with lots of bahia grass, in pasture and around the house. I have become intrigued with the idea of using a scythe, but have not bought one, mainly because absolutely NO ONE around here is remotely interested in this form of low tech mowing/harvesting. And I have never even seen a scythe except in pictures or films. I was particularly interested in a post by someone in Florida who asked for help with his mowing. He even mentioned bahia grass. Also, most scythe use seems to be in the Northwest or the Northeast, not in the South. The Florida fellow seemed like a person who might be close enough to me to actually visit and observe and get some information about scything that just can't be gotten by looking at a computer. If the Florida scythe user is still monitoring this site, I would appreciate his acknowledging this inquiry.<br />Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8610153724082539314.post-3201392841018633602010-07-19T08:16:22.313-07:002010-07-19T08:16:22.313-07:00Thanks for the helpful tips.
While mowing yester...Thanks for the helpful tips. <br /><br />While mowing yesterday I tried experimenting with the "lay." In the end I decided I liked it better unaltered. I've narrowed down the hafting angle that works best for me. <br /><br />I've decided that the problem is that I haven't been holding the blade level enough--and especially that I'll occasionally angle the tip down. Whenever I do this, the blade really bites in and even scalps the lawn. (The angling downwards is useful though when I'm mowing where the lawn meets a flower bed, because it "edges" almost like a string trimmer would.) So I'm going to keep concentrating on keeping the blade level. Thanks again for your help!<br /><br />BillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com