Scythe Community Podcast

In this episode of the Scythe Community Podcast, ecologist Rachel Remnant shares her deep expertise in meadow restoration, traditional land management, and why biodiversity depends on how we cut and remove grass.With over 20 years managing nature reserves and now founder of Land Lore Consulting, Rachel breaks down the science and tradition behind wildflower meadows—from floodplains in England to traditional farming practices in Transylvania.Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Rachel Remnant04:00 – Why technique matters more than sharpness05:40 – Transylvania & the Churchill Fellowship experience09:20 – The shocking loss of wildflower meadows 13:00 – Why LOW soil fertility creates more biodiversity19:20 – Meadow vs pasture 28:50 – How to turn pasture into a wildflower meadow32:20 – How to reduce soil fertility (step-by-step)35:40 – Rachel’s meadow management course43:00 – The “Magnificent Meadows” project Links & Resources Meadow conservation work:https://www.cprehampshire.org.uk/meadowsRachel’s consulting business:https://www.landloreconsulting.comFollow Rachel on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rachelremnantChurchill Fellowship report (Transylvania study):https://www.churchillfellowship.org/ideas-experts/ideas-library/from-transylvania-to-the-itchen-valley-reviving-traditional-meadow-skills/

Janne Wester: Scything, Meadow Restoration & the Nordic SnathHost Steve Smith talks with Sweden-based scything teacher and entrepreneur Janne Wester (Slåttergubben) about scything technique, meadow restoration, and the development of his Nordic snath for better ergonomics and control. Janne shares how he got started, why peening and sharpening are the biggest challenges for beginners, and how scythes fit into modern meadow management in Sweden. They also cover workshop teaching, municipal meadow contracts, why removing cuttings matters for biodiversity, and how to avoid misleading “meadow” seed mixes.00:00 Welcome + Janne’s Background02:12 Swedish Scythes, Ergonomics & the Nordic Snath08:03 Scything Revival, Peening & Sharpness19:10 Teaching Workshops + Common Beginner Mistakes30:23 Meadow Contracts, Mowing Work & Tools35:32 Scythe vs Brush Cutter 39:38 Starting a Meadow + Restoration Basics42:31 Avoiding Fake Meadow Seed Mixes46:34 Why Scything Feels Right55:59 Final Thanks and Wraphttps://www.youtube.com/@slattergubben6702/videosslattergubben.seslattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/the-nordic-snath?tm=home

Richard Brown on Scything, Meadows, and BiodiversityHost Steve Smith introduces the Scythe Community Podcast and welcomes Richard Brown — botanist, ecologist, wildflower seed expert, and longtime scythe instructor. He's also led the Scythe Association of Britain and Ireland since its founding over 15 years ago. Richard shares how he got into scything while helping people manage meadows that were too small for tractors but too large for garden tools, and how discovering modern Austrian scythes changed everything.The conversation explores what makes a true meadow versus pasture, why biodiversity depends on active management, and why simply leaving land alone often leads to scrub and woodland. Richard explains the importance of mowing timing, the risks of misunderstood “no mow” messaging, and how staggered “mow-saic” management can better support wild flowers and biodiversity.Linkswildscythe.co.uk.https://www.youtube.com/@wildseed01/featured00:00   Welcome & Guest Intro01:04   Richard’s Scythe Journey04:02   Meadow vs Pasture10:40   Mowing Timing & “No Mow” Confusion16:29   “Mow-saic” Management for Biodiversity18:51   Fertility, Cuttings, and Wildflowers21:55.  Meadow Restoration in Practice27:05   The Experience of Scything & Learning the Skill36:36   Scything Community, Efficiency, and Courses43:32   Sub Aqua Scything & Where to Learn More#scything #scyther #scythe #pasture #meadow #restoration #biodiversity #wildflowers #conservation #mowing