Rowing Up
Thursday, September 17th 2020
More autumn sunshine meant perfect conditions to continue with the haymaking in the wildflower meadow. The swathes of hay left by the tractor on Tuesday had dried well on top but underneath they were damp and green. Using wooden hay rakes, the grass was turned over so that the other side of the long piles was exposed to the sun.
The number of rows was reduced by raking each one into an adjacent one. In modern times this is done using machinery however today it was done in the old fashioned way; a process known as 'rowing up'.
It was hard work in the hot conditions but with several determined staff and volunteers it was completed in only a few hours.
The end result was a satisfying pattern of rows that are ready to be baled by a tractor at the weekend. The forecast is good so the grasses will continue to dry over the next couple of days. The raking not only helps to turn the cuttings over to dry, it also helps to scatter the many varied wildflower seeds which will grow next year.
Thank you and well done everyone! Same time next year?
(0) Comments:
There are no comments for this blog post yet. Why not start the discussion? - use the form below:
Help Support Foxglove

Friends of Foxglove
The Friends of Foxglove Covert is for those individuals, families and organisations who would like to support the reserve through an annual membership subscription. Friends receive a regular newsletter and invitations to attend our various activities and social events.
More DetailsUndergrowth Newsletter
View All The Newsletters
Recent Blog Posts
- A Virtual Tour
- Major (Rtd) Tony Crease
- Covid-19 Update
- Foxglove in the Snow
- Happy New Year!
- Dedication!
- Happy Christmas!
- Reasons To Be Cheerful!
- Mink Rafts and Marshmallows!
- A Special Glimpse!
- Weekly Round Up
- Spindle
- Christmas at Foxglove
- Working in the Willow
- Preparations
- Kestrels and Sparrowhawks
- Opening Up The Views
- A New Flock!
- More Fungi
- Coppicing Continues
- The Co-op, Thor and Straw!
- Let The Coppicing Commence!
- Some Good News
- Willows, Winners and Wildlife Houses!
- COVID-19 Update
- Larch
- Autumn Moths
- Owls, Trees and Pumpkins!
- More Meadow Management
- Extra Support
- The Fifth Kingdom
- Pumpkin Trail
- Things In The Pipeline!
- Volunteer Round Up
- Read All About It!
- Woodland Work
- Please Support Us
- Red, Yellow, Gold and Green
- Posts, Pathways and Prizes!
- Outwitted Again!
- Moorland and Meadow Management
- Autumn Tasks
- Staying Safe
- Insects In Flight
- Pillwort, Poaching and Planning Ahead!
- Bales, Bells and Bridges
- Warm Days
- Hawker Dragonflies
- Calling All Foxglove Covert LNR Supporters!
- Wonderful Webs
- Rowing Up
- Habitats and their Inhabitants
- September Sunshine
- Moths
- What An Achievement!
- Inspiration
- More Wetland Work
- A Very Busy Day
- Wanderers
- Autumn
- Busy Volunteers
- Butterflies
- Rain
- Late Summer Flowers
- Backgrounds
- Friends and Volunteers
- Family Fun
- CES 11
- Late Summer Jobs
- Ringathon!
- Wildlife Photography
- Minibeast Safaris
- Important Information
- Ducks!
- Reedbed Ringing
- Mulleins
- Summer Maintenance
- CES Preparations
- More Moths
- Bright and Beautiful
- Getting Stuck In!
- Dragonflies and Damselflies
- Shepherding Skills
- Walking Around
- Even More Owls
- CES Statistics
- CES Surprises
- Surprise Finds
- All Sorts
- The Foxglove Shop
- Weekly Round Up
- Pond Management
- Hawks
- Around the Reserve
- More Moths
- Honey Bees Return
- Wild Orchids
- Hebridean Sheep
- Moth Trapping
- Reserve Update