Host 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. 00:00:00 Welcome + Janne’s Background 00:02:12 Swedish Scythes, Ergonomics & the Nordic Snath 00:08:03 Scything Revival, Peening & Sharpness 00:19:10 Teaching Workshops + Common Beginner Mistakes 00:30:23 Meadow Contracts, Mowing Work & Tools 00:35:32 Scythe vs Brush Cutter 00:39:38 Starting a Meadow + Restoration Basics 00:42:31 Avoiding Fake Meadow Seed Mixes 00:46:34 Why Scything Feels Right 00:55:59 Final Thanks and Wrap https://www.youtube.com/@slattergubben6702/videos slattergubben.se slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/the-nordic-snath?tm=home

Host Steve Smith introduces the Scythe Community Podcast and welcomes Richard Brown — botanist, ecologist, wildflower seed expert, and longtime scythe instructor. 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 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 wildlife. Links wildscythe.co.uk. https://www.youtube.com/@wildseed01/featured 00:00 Welcome & Guest Intro 01:04 Richard’s Scythe Journey 04:02 Meadow vs Pasture 10:40 Mowing Timing & “No Mow” Confusion 16:29 “Mow-saic” Management for Biodiversity 18:51 Fertility, Cuttings, and Wildflowers 21:55. Meadow Restoration in Practice 27:05 The Experience of Scything & Learning the Skill 36:36 Scything Community, Efficiency, and Courses 43:32 Sub Aqua Scything & Where to Learn More #scything #scyther #scythe #pasture #meadow #restoration #biodiversity #wildflowers #conservation #mowing

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. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Rachel Remnant 04:00 – Why technique matters more than sharpness 05:40 – Transylvania & the Churchill Fellowship experience 09:20 – The shocking loss of wildflower meadows 13:00 – Why LOW soil fertility creates more biodiversity 19:20 – Meadow vs pasture 28:50 – How to turn pasture into a wildflower meadow 32:20 – How to reduce soil fertility (step-by-step) 35:40 – Rachel’s meadow management course 43:00 – The “Magnificent Meadows” project Links & Resources - Meadow conservation work: https://www.cprehampshire.org.uk/meadows - Rachel’s consulting business: https://www.landloreconsulting.com - Follow Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelremnant - Churchill Fellowship report (Transylvania study): https://www.churchillfellowship.org/ideas-experts/ideas-library/from-transylvania-to-the-itchen-valley-reviving-traditional-meadow-skills/ Key Takeaways - Meadows are defined by cutting for hay, not just appearance - Biodiversity thrives in low-fertility soils - Removing cut grass is essential to reduce nutrients - Traditional practices still outperform many modern methods - Scything is a powerful (and accessible) conservation tool Tags #MeadowRestoration #WildflowerMeadow #Scything #SustainableLandManagement #Biodiversity #Permaculture #Ecology #RegenerativeAgriculture #Conservation #NatureRecovery #GrasslandManagement #LandStewardship #OrganicFarming #Rewilding #EnvironmentalEducation