A tremendous record breaking heat-wave has set in although I think
we are being spared somewhat in our area perhaps because of our
proximity to the coast. At any rate, it is still quite hot. The
tomato plants look quite happy as long as get they receive
sufficient water. Some of the flowering plants are finally
perking up after an extended cool season.
Mornings are still cool which affords me an opportunity to scythe
the lower part of the property for an hour or so. Over the last
couple of weeks I have managed to mow around one third to half an
acre of the lower side of the property and this is with pauses of
a few days to go down to the Bay area groceries and doctor's
appointments. I would estimate I have probably put in seven to
eight hours of work total. Not bad considering that some of the
vegetation was standing up to my shoulders which certainly put
the 24 inch ditch blade to the test. I am starting to get into
some older growth woody vegetation which is will probably be too
much for the ditch blade. Consequently, I have ordered an
eighteen inch bush blade which is a heavier blade also Austrian
made. They claim this blade can cut through saplings up to three
quarters of an inch in diameter.
I am finding that scything is good exercise, but not exhausting
and perhaps early morning working amongst the redwoods, the
oxygen level may be higher. After an hour or so of mowing, I
find I have worked up a bit of a sweat, but I feel like I could
continue, but due to time constraints, I have to stop for the
day and move on to other projects. I am slowly learning to
correct my form when my arms or my back starts complaining. My
usual mistake is trying to cut a swath too wide for the thick
growth of weeds and vegetation...better to make smaller slices
and maintain a rhythm pausing every five minutes or so to give
the blade a few passes with the whetstone. Probably I'll peen
the blade again in the morning before I start the next round.
I also think I am learning a bit on how to manage the space. I
believe the trick is to catch the weeds before they go to seed.
I suspect the water table in this area of the property is close
to the surface as the ground seems to remain fairly damp in
certain patches. As a result, these patches have different
species growing. Most of this probably sounds elementary, but
this city boy is still learning. lol I think after a few years
of management, we should have a nice open space to work with.
