How to Make Hay with a Scythe

Рет қаралды 272,482

15 жыл бұрын

onescytherevolution.com/index.html - I kept the mowing segments very short, since there are other videos on that. I focused more on the tedding and turning of the hay, to give a real-time sense of the amount of work involved with that aspect of haying.
The timing didn't work out, to show how to set up the pyramid haystack frame. Hopefully next summer. In the meantime for more info on haystacks see my blog at www.onescytherevolution.com/1/post/2010/02/haystacks.html

Пікірлер: 170

@BotanAnderson 12 жыл бұрын

I work about 3 acres. I put up 2-4 tons of hay and straw per year. I only have ducks and geese at this point, and they eat mostly grains, but they do eat out the finer bits in the hay, and poop on the rest. Their eggs are definetaly bigger and the yolks oranger, when they get to eat my scythe cut hay. The used bedding is composted and put back on the garden beds. I am currently growing out rare heritage grains in these beds, with the hope of someday soon being able to produce my own grains.

@hearts0ngs 13 жыл бұрын

I always get admonished about how much hard work it is to keep a farm, but I will say it anyway: this vid inspires me. I wish for a life where the skills and crafts needed for survival (growing food, spinning cloth, making own clothing) ARE the way of life, as they were for millenia for most people. Most city dwellers just count on the supermarkets always being there to go buy stuff from. One day they might not be, and those who have learned the art of producing, not mere consuming, will survive

@Marialla. 13 жыл бұрын

I had no idea making hay was so involved, or took so long. What a city girl I am! Thanks for sharing.

@stevenhendon22 10 жыл бұрын

I love this video. Thanks for not trying to "dress it up" with music. The sounds of the birds and water fowl are great. And how can one not just love the trusty dog that comes tromping through to check it out? Ahhh... Someday.

@eddieyahooable 9 жыл бұрын

Steven Hendon I was thinking the same thing!!! I love the sound of birds and the scythe and the rake. it is very peaceful!!!

@canadaandusarock730 10 жыл бұрын

This is a man that clearly has it made in life. He works hard but he works for himself, and what he has is his. It's obvious he enjoys his life. I doubt he would trade it for a "wealthy" mans life. Great video.

@bruceparks3124 4 жыл бұрын

There's a real good chance this man was either a stockbroker in New York city, or a trust fund baby in an earlier life, and maybe still. What he is doing is fine for a hobby, but he would starve to death trying to make a living this way. All real farmers know this and they are chortling up their sleeves when they see this video. I know I am.

@crob8240 4 жыл бұрын

@@bruceparks3124 Actually what you say are "real farmers" have to farm on such a large scale to pay for their machinery and equipment. They are caught in an endless cycle that they can't break free of because they have been trapped by commercial companies that roped them into farming this way. It's like someone who is just working their job to have or keep insurance, but they are utterly trapped and a slave to the system. So I don't think they are chortling as you say and i urge you to find one and ask them. I bet they would trade their life for the one in the video anyday.

@bjenns_skog Жыл бұрын

@@crob8240 This is an interesting line of discussion/debate. We all recognize the debt trap associated with typical commercial farming, but is it really possible to make a decent living as a small-scale farmer using sustainable methods like cutting hay with a scythe? It looks like there are some people who make the small scale work for them by supplementing their income with youtube, online classes, books and so forth, but what if one does not have the inclination or skill set to do the on-line work? Are there examples of small scale farmers who can pay their bills and have a little left over for a rainy day?

@crob8240 Жыл бұрын

@@bjenns_skog Yes. One great example is Jim Kovaleski look him up he makes a great living small scale.

@bjenns_skog Жыл бұрын

@@crob8240 Nice. Thank you!

@wooptothehead 11 жыл бұрын

The best vid on KZfaq so far which shows the basic process of making hay. I was particularly interested in the number of days required for curing which this vid showed (~2days). Thank you, Botan Anderson!

@BotanAnderson 12 жыл бұрын

Yes, it's a matter of scale. One scythe is good for 3-5 acres. Machinery is very expensive for farming very small acreage.

@houses4rent8240 2 жыл бұрын

What state are you in? What type of hay is it? Do you sell hay?

@lkdisney2169 10 жыл бұрын

I know it's alot of work for you, but I found this very relaxing.

@phcsongdog 9 жыл бұрын

I felt very content myself.

@maineiachomestead7550 9 жыл бұрын

LKDisney It looks a lot like kayak paddling. Very zen-like when you get into a rhythm and just focus on that. I'd guess Botan is a little surprised when he hits the end of the row.

@qualityassurance9523 5 жыл бұрын

incredible, wow thank you for taking the time to share all your hard work and to help the rest of us who cannot afford all the equipment for haying. God's Blessings

@daw162 6 жыл бұрын

That is a happy dog - few dogs are as happy and as stimulated as dogs that get to go along on chores all day.

@hopeesperanza6979 10 жыл бұрын

I love this video. I watch it over and over. It relaxes me to watch it. And I am gearing up to buy one and work on my 1/8 acre alfalfa field. Thank you for showing how this can be done without a mower with gas! I see the comment below asking questions about calculations, but for me the physical energy put into this is priceless and too meaningful to "calculate." I can see why he would want them though since he is in school and would like to see the difference and maybe be able to put qualitative analysis with quantitative data. Anyway, love love this! I want a scythe so badly.

@BotanAnderson 13 жыл бұрын

@KallyJones Yes, but always worry about it combusting in a barn. Keep checking your hay for several weeks after harvest. I know people that pile it loosely in one part of the barn, and keep turning it and checking it, until they are sure that no mold is forming. Once they are sure it's dry, they move it to a different part of the barn, and pack it down. With our hot dry prairie weather around the solstice, hay often is dry in 2 days. By September, it can take 3-4, or more days to dry.

@chapiit08 4 жыл бұрын

The Italian method of stacking when they run out of space in the barn is by having a four meter pole sticking out of the ground with an umbrella type tin roof that goes up via a pulley and a rope, being lowered as the hay is consumed and it's height gets smaller. Only the sides are protected by a tarp.

@FreeRange1234 11 жыл бұрын

love it, i love how the geese came out to get at the bugs turned up by the spreading of the hay

@1Tibs1 5 жыл бұрын

This is so helpful, thank you; it's amazing how much is being said with little to no words.

@Menzimuckeli 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for this documentation. I do hay with scythe as well, but I found your system of drying it very interesting and effectiv, not using a hayfork at all. To transport the hay from the field on a tarp is a good idea too, I almost use a wheelbarrel for it, but I'm not convinced of my system. Thanks for the inspiration!

@houses4rent8240 2 жыл бұрын

Didn't realize how much work went into producing hay. Great video.

@akyramoto 13 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting this. Been researching growing some of my own hay. This was very informative. also love the peacefulness of the whole thing.

@auroracelticband 12 жыл бұрын

I loved this, very quiet and visual, super helpful. Thanks for making this.

@PurdyBear1 12 жыл бұрын

Great video! It really took me back to my childhood near farmland when sometimes they used the scythe to cut fallow land. I loved the dog supervision..

@fabiancanada8876 4 жыл бұрын

I quit my job, sold my car+cell phone and some other things. Growing our own food now and thinking about home schooling the kids (no school now anyway). Also sold my sit own lawn mower/tractor and will do it with a small push mower and (lawn) and a scythe in the future. We and our children have some tough times ahead of us.

@teremoanatuau8837 9 жыл бұрын

Wow!! That was really enjoyable watching.. I have never seen hay cutting using a scythe.. I have helped out with hay bailing when I was a teen and that was fun but hard work. Thank you for this post.. :)

@GullandForge 15 жыл бұрын

Beautifully done, my friend. Thank you for taking the time to put together an important bit of knowledge. Gulland

@andrewmesser1955 2 жыл бұрын

I'd call this "How to make scythe-cut hay with a Hay Rake". Great video

@BotanAnderson 12 жыл бұрын

I cover my pyramid haystacks with a 12"x12' yard-tarp to keep off moisture. I hang weights on the corners to hold the tarp down.

@JanKlomp 14 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this lovely video! I bought a scythe yesterday for my wildflower meadow, but I've to learn a lot ;) Greetings from Germany!

@BotanAnderson 10 жыл бұрын

It takes me 5 days in total, around the solstice. 3 mornings (2-3 hrs) of mowing, and then timely tending for the rest of the time.

@elizabethfletcher-smith930 2 жыл бұрын

How many acres can you do in those 5 days? Weve recently been fortunate enough to buy 18 acres, and we want to do everything as low impact as possible, so would using a scythe on so much land be possible for 1 person?

@sutozola 13 жыл бұрын

Dude..huge respect from Ireland..u did a really good job...thanx for everything

@castleofcostamesa8291 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks! This is educational for an urban gardener like me!

@possibly_a_retard 14 жыл бұрын

Supremely useful, perfectly assembled video

@coreyyourlocaltreeguy.77 8 жыл бұрын

Very idyllic, and very mesmerizing to watch.

@YoushouNoKioku 9 жыл бұрын

this was like a much needed asmr video that i needed...one day I will have a nice plot of land..

@Bite008 8 жыл бұрын

Great video, pleasure to watch and learn. Thanks Up loader.

@michealomainin 14 жыл бұрын

They have been stacking hay in Ireland like that for years!!!

@BotanAnderson 12 жыл бұрын

Those are my Pilgrim geese, in this video. Geese are pretty much vegetarians. They will eat worms, if they are on top of the ground, after a rain, but otherwise they don't hunt for bugs. They are mostly curious about how their territory has been expanded by my mowing, and they like to eat the tender young plants exposed by the scythe.

@BotanAnderson 12 жыл бұрын

Not if the hay is dry enough. I do however remove the tarp during sunny weather, during the first month, to let it breathe while it's still curing. The hay may seem dry, but it's still "curing". A fresh haystack smells incredibly good, if allowed to breathe. It's very fragrant. After a month or so, it's fully cured, and the cover can stay on all the time.

@BotanAnderson 15 жыл бұрын

Yes. On a blazing hot prairie afternoon, if left untedded too long, the hay on top can get too dried out and start to bleach out, and get extremely brittle. Herbs like clover leaves will then disintegrate if disturbed.

@Andyatf 12 жыл бұрын

Congrats on keeping this tradition alive. I just love the smell of the freshly cut grass baking in the sun while turning into hay. My family has about 10 acres that have to be cleaned 3 times a year using this traditional method and due to the rising prices in man hour labor we have to look into buying a grass cutter tractor or mower. Do you know of any that gets the same job as an old fashion scythe? Best Regards

@mattmiller523 12 жыл бұрын

Fantastic, informative video. Thanks for the inspiration.

@lis819 6 жыл бұрын

That was just awesome to watch…thanks!

@owens47362 11 жыл бұрын

you inspire me I have now been making my own hay cut with a scythe

@vinnettepope8255 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this wonderful ❤️ tutorial 👌 video 👌

@metaspencer 5 жыл бұрын

cool method and very well explained! what a cool process

@Dissius 8 жыл бұрын

Fascinating. I really like this.

@kanaljutube2447 11 жыл бұрын

Amazing how similar is the procedure in US and Slovakia. These days we have a hay fever here in the village, everybody in the pub is just talking about hay and, of course, weather :) You have nice, dense grass there. How many sorts of vegetals are mixed in your hay? Here I prefere the forrest meadow, there are tens of taxons, including juvenile trees. Not only grass. Our goats like it. Good luck

@BotanAnderson 10 жыл бұрын

Scything is FUN!

@mermaid3152 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing. We have an interest in this.

@sallymaynard4545 4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful, thanks.

@BotanAnderson 13 жыл бұрын

@michealomainin Yes, and they even cover them with little tarps on top.

@SabrinaCavallaro 11 жыл бұрын

The sounds were so relaxing xD

@JB1052 8 жыл бұрын

Looks peaceful out there. I'm a city boy and I wouldn't mind living like that for a change.

@sauljapuntich 8 жыл бұрын

There is something very zen and peaceful about cutting grass or hay with a scythe.

@summersalt3629 9 жыл бұрын

i really have this huge urge to pet that dog

@BotanAnderson 13 жыл бұрын

@tritolo18ok Gracie! Translation- "Compliments!! you have made me relive my best years, I have made the same thing. for 30 years.... 30 years ago..... thanks of heart.."

@ozgundemirr 10 жыл бұрын

nature, birds, dog, geese, peace. I envy you

@oct1402 8 жыл бұрын

very relaxing !

@StevePhillips 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this video I might buy some land someday soon

@DongerDayz 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video!

@danrugbyman 8 жыл бұрын

I just glanced at the views and noticed that 12 people don't like this video! Haahaha. What's not to like??!! It must be twelve different oil company CEOs who are sad you just made a bunch of gorgeous hay without burning a drop of fuel. You truly can never please everyone I guess...

@barkershill 7 жыл бұрын

Over 172000 people have now watched this vid . Be serious , what proportion of those do you think will ever go on to use one of these scythes in a serious way ?

@BotanAnderson 12 жыл бұрын

It depends on day-length, and the weather. The hot, long days around the solstice here, will dry hay in a couple of days. Later in August it might take 3 days with ideal weather. By late September 4-5 days.

@alex-ff1mp 10 жыл бұрын

if you visit the Est European contry side- It is still in use daily, actualy mainly in the hills. So not in the plain field. The Hay looks different there - lot of shapes, depend of the weather and altitude. Usualy had a stick in the middle for better support.

@mdssdp 12 жыл бұрын

great video, thank you verry much.

@zalida100 14 жыл бұрын

excellent vid - Ta

@BotanAnderson 11 жыл бұрын

Maybe in your climate, but not here. The soil is quite damp here, and the hay reabsobs moisture from the bottom, if left on the ground too long without turning.

@bbt305 4 жыл бұрын

Cool video, bit long but awesome 👏

@BotanAnderson 13 жыл бұрын

@ThePolysyllabist Thank you!

@Appelkorn1 13 жыл бұрын

Nice Work.

@westronic 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I've been wondering how to do this.

@garrymurray1 13 жыл бұрын

I used to do this with my father when I was about 10 years old. Those were the days of bloodshot eyes and running noses (terrible hay fever) and very little sympathy. Hard days work.

@66SuperFrog99 12 жыл бұрын

im so amazed.....i dont know why

@BotanAnderson 12 жыл бұрын

I don't think riding lawn mowers can cut long grass. Hay is usually made with longer grass. Most farm stores still sell hayforks, although only the heavy kind. I sell wooden hayrakes on my website.

@scrubjay93 14 жыл бұрын

beautiful

@stevesoutdoorworld2248 7 жыл бұрын

great vid please make more.what are you feeding with it?thanks for sharing.

@johnarmata7444 11 жыл бұрын

There are several kinds of blades. They all have to be sharp, BUT some are designed for dual-purpose use. The thicker, shorter blades are used for both mowing hay and brush. They are harder to sharpen and even then, do not cut hay as efficiently as a longer, thinner blade such as the Europeans use.

@bluemoondiadochi 11 жыл бұрын

we use the samy type of schythe. point with early morning cutting was that dew acts as a lubricant, it's easier. other than that, it is better to cut when photosynthesis is at it's highest, during the day.

@stealtime 10 жыл бұрын

Hey Botan, Thanks for the great video! I have some questions as I am a student of International Sustainable Agricullture: 1. For what animals are you making hay? how many? Is hay sufficient for the winter or do you purchase off farm supplement? 2. Have you done cost-benefit calculations as compared to maybe a small mower and the price of fuel, etc compared to the time saved and ability to do other work? Hoping you will respond as I'd really appreciate it! -Vince

@carlosayala6754 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing

@Blistio11 11 жыл бұрын

that's why one village has one combined harwester, few tractors and all peripheral machinery for those tractors.

@danrugbyman 8 жыл бұрын

Very cool! How much hay can you make like that in one cutting? Not sure how you would measure that - acres, square feet, poundage? Thanks for the great informational video!

@davidtrees1714 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks Botan. Love your creativity with the hay stack. Do you find the scything relaxing, boring or something else? Thanks Again. David

@pitbullman77 13 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I will do this on the small pice of land I farm on my Friends land !

@Appelkorn1 8 жыл бұрын

Tolles Video. Schade das die klassische Sense inzwischen fast komplett von Motorsense und Co. verdrängt wurde.

@Cityandthemountains 11 жыл бұрын

Hi, I've just started to learn how to scythe. Watched a few videos but still can't get my cutting as low as in your video. I think the blade may not be sharp enough, but it may also be technique. Do you have any tips? I mow ok, about 190m2 per hour but the cut grass is still 6inches odd long. Some grass seems to be easier to cut than others, I particularly struggle with the lusher, thicker leaved grass, the scythe seems to just pass through it without cutting. Any help appreciated.

@BotanAnderson 12 жыл бұрын

@Twisted86 To get a scythe like the one that I am using, you have to mail-order it from someone like me. I sell them at One Scythe Revolution

@ejnardahl 12 жыл бұрын

Great video. But can you keep the hay in a stack like that untill winter without getting mould in it. It must be getting a lot of moist for the air. And how about snow. Doesn't it?

@samkennedy666999 10 жыл бұрын

The end product/storage looks like a giant cousin IT from the adams family with a rain hat on

@tobyjamison6801 4 жыл бұрын

Or a coconut

@peaaanuuutz 9 жыл бұрын

that took him the whole day to do! I don't think I'm cut out to be a farmer lol

@user-kd8bq6rp6p 2 жыл бұрын

Спокойная работа.

@ladygray4 7 жыл бұрын

Oh my, I could almost smell the sweet smell of drying hay! I guess everyone has smells that remind them of certain things. To me, summer smells like hay & diesel fuel - I spent many a summer day driving the tractor for my brothers to load on hay bales.

@colsoncustoms8994 5 жыл бұрын

tobacco barns smoking..

@autinddavis95 12 жыл бұрын

I've seen several places where you can order that kind of scythe and blades but I need a 20+inch grass blade for an american style scythe. I have three american style snaths that was gave to me by my grandfather and he included several brush and ditch blades but not a single grass blade

@MrMunchiemo 12 жыл бұрын

Does moister condensate under the tarp? Referring to the last picture on the video.

@litcguitarist 13 жыл бұрын

do you have to worry about rain or snow getting into that stack or is it fine like that?

@MrGrowproductions 12 жыл бұрын

that/s good exercise.

@hebneh 5 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the geese would find lots of bugs to eat in the cut grass, but it was hours later so that was no longer true. Had the dog been around during the cutting process it would have been very pleased to chase any mice that were forced to run out from the trimmed area.

@kored01 14 жыл бұрын

nice vid. cool to see how to cut grass without any fuel except food.

@ROFLProductions1000 13 жыл бұрын

@Scythesman8 what do u do if it gets too dry like that? just toss it out?

@Grizzydan 10 жыл бұрын

Wish I had the flat land for this.. acreage on a mountainside is far less to work with. I've yet to be able to scythe up or down a 45 degree slope.

@BotanAnderson 10 жыл бұрын

onescytherevolution.com/1/post/2011/07/can-you-mow-on-steep-slopes-with-a-scythe.html

@BotanAnderson 13 жыл бұрын

@lilililililililiilii Yes.

@jamosmithlol 11 жыл бұрын

how much time does it take, overall, to make a full 1 ton hay pyramid?

@Patriotman54 8 жыл бұрын

need to buy of of theses! where can I get one? I am going to be using one of these on a property that people help ! They do not know how to mow their lawn