[JohnB47]

I have a half allotment plot and the people either side tend to do most of the work keeping the grass on paths between the plots under control. I feel that i need to do my bit too and recently the person on one side has been ill and unable to do anything at all. The trouble is, although im tempted to buy a petrol strimmer, something tells me that this is a bit over the top and that id only use it three or four times a year.

So, are there alternatives? I was thinking about a sort of hand sythe thingy. Would this be of any use and has anyone any other ideas? Ive recently resorted to just pulling it up by hand but it gets a bit tiring.

Cheers.

[Ice]

Have a read of this.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=81237.0

[arugula]

Have a read of this.

Of what?

[DD.]

a sort of hand sythe thingy.

That would be a sickle, then. It's what I use, was my grandfather's and about 80 years old.

[Ice]

Of what?

I don't know what you mean.

[JohnB47]

Thanks folks.

A sickle or hand sythe or scythette might be on the cards. I wish I could try one of these out before buying. A long handled sythette (which might be best 'cos I wouldn't have to bend down too much) typically costs £24 - £26.  I would hate to get one of those and find it's just not good enough, or maybe too awkward to use in the relatively confined space of a 2' 6" path between plots and then end up buying a strimmer.

The electric strimmers are a possibility but the better (more powerful?) ones are a bit pricey too - almost the same as a petrol strimmer. What to do eh?

Thanks again.

[KnoyDart]

If you did plump for a petrol strimmer the only advice I would give is that you MUST buy one with a straight shaft. The curved shaft jobbies are useless. We used a little no name straight shaft strimmer, alongside larger Stihl brushcutters, at the conservation group I used to help with and it was great. Somebody donated a curved shaft Ryobi and it was horrible to use, and much less efficient.

We used long handed sickles for clearing bracken and they were quite efficient once you got the right motion going.

[JohnB47]

Thanks for the advice. I wondered about the differences between straight and bent shaft strimmers, apart from the obvious that is. Would a long handled sycle or syclette be good for grass?

Cheers.

[m1ckz]

well i bought me a second user strimmer 2 yrs ago, an TBH i wouldnt be without it,,use it a lot down the allotment,the less u use it the longer it will last he he,,i also have an old hayter mower for the grass pathes its just left by the shed  ,make ur work as easy as you can i say    gl

[goodtogrow]

JohnB47, like you I try to do my bit on the paths, particularly on the stuff which grows long and overhangs my plot, and runs to seed if you leave it too long.

I've found my stirrup hoe will do the job of a sickle, just give the long stuff a swift cuff, including docks and other nasties, and you get the bonus of using it on the plot soil as well!

Tom