I'm looking for some advice. I hope this is an appropriate newsgroup (if not...sorry)
I have recently bought a cottage with a couple of acres of grassland, which was previously grazed by horses and was in a bit of a state (big bare patches and lots of docks). I've never had any land to care for before so I'm a bit naive regarding land management practice.
The rest over the autumn and winter has done the grass good (less bare patches and I trimmed the docks with a strimmer), but now I need to manage the land when the grass starts to grow. I see 3 options:
- Get some sheep. I'm not sure how much of a commitment this is. The neighbouring farmer has a flock of accredited Texels, so I would worry about ours escaping into his flock. We suggested he might like to borrow our grazing, but he's not that keen. I could cope with feeding them in winter, but I know nothing about husbandry, legal requirements etc. We could improve the fencing and go for it, but I worry about who would care for them when we are away on business or holiday. I see sheep up on the moors in summer that must go for days without care...so is it such a commitment?
- Let the grass grow and cut it for hay. This sounds like a traditional, environmentally friendly approach, the image of golden grass, lots of wild flowers and butterflies is attractive; but I imagine cutting two acres with a scythe (or brushcutter) twice a year could be hard work! Perhaps a friendly local farmer would take the hay? What is the best cutting regime for creating a hay meadow? Is there an alternative to a brushcutter or scythe that would not cost the earth?
- Buy a ride-on mower and cut it regularly. Expensive and a big time commitment. Anyway, they are fields, not a garden. I don't like the townie image!
We don't want to put horses on it after seeing the damage caused by the previous occupants and we have other plans for the stable.
This must sound so naive to the 'agriculturally aware', but any ideas or advice would be gratefully received.
Rob