diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index df76b0f..518503c 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -63,7 +63,10 @@ dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/functions.lua");
 dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/nodes_furniture.lua");
 dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/nodes_historic.lua");
 dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/nodes_feldweg.lua");
+-- allows to dig hay and straw fast
+dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/nodes_pitchfork.lua");
 dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/nodes_straw.lua");
+dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/nodes_hay.lua");
 dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/nodes_anvil.lua");
 dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/nodes_doorlike.lua");
 dofile(minetest.get_modpath("cottages").."/nodes_fences.lua");
diff --git a/locale/de.txt b/locale/de.txt
index efee145..d8f8207 100644
--- a/locale/de.txt
+++ b/locale/de.txt
@@ -148,3 +148,10 @@ This tree trunk well is owned by %s. You can't use it. = Dieser Baumstammbrunnen
 Sorry. You have no room for the bucket. Please free some space in your inventory first! = Du hast leider keinen Platz mehr fuer den Eimer. Bitte schaffe erst ein wenig Platz!
 Your tree trunk well can now be used by other players as well. = Dein Baumstammbrunnen kann jetzt auch von anderen Spielern benutzt werdn.
 Your tree trunk well can only be used by yourself. = Dein Baumstammbrunnen kann jetzt nur noch von dir selbst benutzt werdn.
+
+pitchfork (dig dirt with grass to get hay, place with right-click) = Heugabel (grabe Erde mit Grass um Heu zu bekommen; Rechts-Klick zum Platzieren)
+pitchfork (for hay and straw) = Heugabel (fuer Heu und Stroh)
+
+Some hay = Etwas Heu
+Hay = Heu
+Hay bale = Heuballen
diff --git a/locale/template.txt b/locale/template.txt
index 6c6dd66..40c24d3 100644
--- a/locale/template.txt
+++ b/locale/template.txt
@@ -146,3 +146,10 @@ This tree trunk well is owned by %s. You can't use it. =
 Sorry. You have no room for the bucket. Please free some space in your inventory first! =
 Your tree trunk well can now be used by other players as well. =
 Your tree trunk well can only be used by yourself. =
+
+pitchfork (dig dirt with grass to get hay, place with right-click) =
+pitchfork (for hay and straw) =
+
+Some hay =
+Hay =
+Hay bale =
diff --git a/nodes_hay.lua b/nodes_hay.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4576c53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nodes_hay.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+-- contains hay_mat, hay and hay bale
+-- (gives the pitchfork some work)
+
+-- If default:dirt_with_grass is digged while wielding a pitchfork, it will
+-- turn into dirt and get some hay placed above it.
+-- The hay will disappear (decay) after a couple of minutes.
+if(     minetest.registered_items["default:dirt_with_grass"]
+    and minetest.registered_tools["cottages:pitchfork"]) then
+  minetest.override_item("default:dirt_with_grass", {
+	after_dig_node = function(pos, oldnode, oldmetadata, digger)
+		if( not( pos ) or not( digger )) then
+			return
+		end
+		local wielded = digger:get_wielded_item()
+		if(    not( wielded )
+		    or not( wielded:get_name() )
+		    or (wielded:get_name()~="cottages:pitchfork")) then
+			return
+		end
+
+		local pos_above = {x=pos.x, y=pos.y+1, z=pos.z}
+		local node_above = minetest.get_node_or_nil( pos_above)
+		if( not(node_above) or not(node_above.name) or node_above.name ~= "air" ) then
+			return nil
+		end
+		minetest.swap_node( pos,       {name="default:dirt"})
+		minetest.add_node(  pos_above, {name="cottages:hay_mat", param2=math.random(2,25)}) 
+		-- start a node timer so that the hay will decay after some time
+		local timer = minetest.get_node_timer(pos_above)
+		if not timer:is_started() then
+			timer:start(math.random(60, 300))
+		end
+		-- TODO: prevent dirt from beeing multiplied this way (that is: give no dirt!)
+		return
+	end,
+  })
+end
+
+
+
+-- more comparable to the straw mat than to a hay bale
+-- (can be created by digging dirt with grass with the pitchfork)
+minetest.register_node("cottages:hay_mat", {
+	drawtype = "nodebox",
+	paramtype2 = "leveled",
+	description = S("Some hay"),
+	tiles = {"cottages_darkage_straw.png^[multiply:#88BB88"},
+	groups = {hay=3, snappy=2, oddly_breakable_by_hand=2, flammable=3},
+	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults,
+        -- the bale is slightly smaller than a full node
+	is_ground_content = false,
+	node_box = {
+		type = "leveled", --"fixed",
+		fixed = {
+				{-0.5,-0.5,-0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5},
+			}
+	},
+	-- make sure a placed hay block looks halfway reasonable
+	after_place_node = function(pos, placer, itemstack, pointed_thing)
+		minetest.swap_node( pos, {name="cottages:hay_mat", param2=math.random(2,25)})
+	end,
+	on_timer = function(pos, elapsed)
+		local node = minetest.get_node(pos)
+		if( node and node.name=="cottages:hay_mat") then
+			minetest.remove_node(pos)
+			minetest.check_for_falling(pos)
+		end
+	end,
+})
+
+-- hay block, similar to straw block
+minetest.register_node("cottages:hay", {
+	description = S("Hay"),
+	tiles = {"cottages_darkage_straw.png^[multiply:#88BB88"},
+	groups = {hay=3, snappy=2, oddly_breakable_by_hand=2, flammable=3},
+	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults,
+	is_ground_content = false,
+})
+
+
+-- hay bales for hungry animals
+minetest.register_node("cottages:hay_bale", {
+	drawtype = "nodebox",
+	description = S("Hay bale"),
+	tiles = {"cottages_darkage_straw_bale.png^[multiply:#88BB88"},
+	paramtype = "light",
+	groups = {hay=3, snappy=2, oddly_breakable_by_hand=2, flammable=3},
+	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults,
+        -- the bale is slightly smaller than a full node
+	node_box = {
+		type = "fixed",
+		fixed = {
+				{-0.45, -0.5,-0.45,  0.45,  0.45, 0.45},
+			}
+	},
+	selection_box = {
+		type = "fixed",
+		fixed = {
+				{-0.45, -0.5,-0.45,  0.45,  0.45, 0.45},
+			}
+	},
+	is_ground_content = false,
+})
+
+
+--
+-- craft recipes
+--
+minetest.register_craft({
+	output = "cottages:hay_mat 9",
+	recipe = {
+		{"cottages:hay"},
+	},
+})
+
+minetest.register_craft({
+	output = "cottages:hay",
+	recipe = {
+		{"cottages:hay_mat", "cottages:hay_mat", "cottages:hay_mat"},
+		{"cottages:hay_mat", "cottages:hay_mat", "cottages:hay_mat"},
+		{"cottages:hay_mat", "cottages:hay_mat", "cottages:hay_mat"},
+	},
+})
+
+minetest.register_craft({
+	output = "cottages:hay",
+	recipe = {{"cottages:hay_bale"}},
+})
+
+minetest.register_craft({
+	output = "cottages:hay_bale",
+	recipe = {{"cottages:hay"}},
+})
diff --git a/nodes_pitchfork.lua b/nodes_pitchfork.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81ff39c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nodes_pitchfork.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+
+-- fast tool for digging nodes with the group "hay";
+-- can also be placed as a node
+
+-- the straw node from default and similar nodes can be digged with the pitchfork as well
+local add_hay_group = {"farming:straw", "dryplants:reed", "darkage:straw_bale"}
+for i, v in ipairs(add_hay_group) do
+	if( minetest.registered_items[v]) then
+		new_groups = minetest.registered_items[v].groups
+		new_groups.hay = 3
+		minetest.override_item(v, {groups = new_groups})
+	end
+end
+
+-- creates hay when digging dirt_with_grass (thanks to the override above);
+-- useful for digging hay and straw
+-- can be placed as a node
+minetest.register_tool("cottages:pitchfork", {
+	description = S("pitchfork (dig dirt with grass to get hay, place with right-click)"),
+	groups = {},
+	inventory_image = "default_wood.png", -- TODO
+	wield_image = "",
+	wield_scale = {x=1,y=1,z=1},
+	stack_max = 1,
+	liquids_pointable = false,
+	-- very useful for digging hay, straw and bales of those materials
+	tool_capabilities = {
+		full_punch_interval = 1.0,
+		max_drop_level=1,
+		groupcaps={
+			fleshy={times={[2]=0.80, [3]=0.40}, maxwear=0.05, maxlevel=1, uses=40},
+			snappy={times={[2]=0.80, [3]=0.40}, maxwear=0.05, maxlevel=1, uses=40},
+			hay   ={times={[2]=0.10, [3]=0.10}, maxwear=0.05, maxlevel=1, uses=40},
+		},
+                damage_groups = {fleshy=5}, -- slightly stronger than a stone sword
+	},
+	sound = {breaks = "default_tool_breaks"},
+	-- place the pitchfork somewhere
+	on_place = function(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
+		if( placer == nil or pointed_thing == nil or pointed_thing.type ~= "node") then
+			return nil
+		end
+		local pos  = minetest.get_pointed_thing_position( pointed_thing, 1 )
+		local node = minetest.get_node_or_nil( pos )
+		if( node == nil or not(node.name) or node.name ~= "air") then
+			return nil
+		end
+		if minetest.is_protected(pos, placer:get_player_name()) then
+			return nil
+		end
+		minetest.rotate_and_place(ItemStack("cottages:pitchfork_placed"), placer, pointed_thing)
+		-- did the placing succeed?
+		local nnode = minetest.get_node(pos)
+		if( not(nnode) or not(nnode.name) or nnode.name ~= "cottages:pitchfork_placed") then
+			return nil
+		end
+		local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
+		meta:set_int( "wear", itemstack:get_wear())
+		meta:set_string("infotext", S("pitchfork (for hay and straw)"))
+		-- the tool has been placed; consume it
+		return ItemStack("")
+	end,
+})
+
+
+-- a ptichfork placed somewhere
+minetest.register_node("cottages:pitchfork_placed", {
+	description = S("pitchfork (for hay and straw)"),
+	tiles = {"default_wood.png^[transformR90"}, --default_tree.png"},
+	drawtype = "nodebox",
+	paramtype  = "light",
+	paramtype2 = "facedir",
+	is_ground_content = false,
+	groups = {snappy = 2, dig_immediate = 3, falling_node = 1, attached_node = 1},
+	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
+	node_box = {
+		type = "fixed",
+		fixed = {
+			-- handle (goes a bit into the ground)
+			{ -(1/32), -(11/16), -(1/32),  (1/32), 16/16, (1/32)},
+			-- middle connection
+			{ -(7/32),  -(4/16), -(1/32),  (7/32), -(2/16), (1/32)},
+			-- thongs
+			{ -(7/32), -(11/16), -(1/32), -(5/32), -(4/16), (1/32)},
+			{  (5/32), -(11/16), -(1/32),  (7/32), -(4/16), (1/32)},
+		},
+	},
+	selection_box = {
+		type = "fixed",
+		fixed = { -0.3, -0.5, -0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 0.1 }
+	},
+	drop = "cottages:pitchfork",
+	-- perserve wear
+	preserve_metadata = function(pos, oldnode, oldmeta, drops)
+		if(oldmeta["wear"]) then
+			-- the first drop is the pitchfork
+			drops[1]:set_wear(oldmeta["wear"])
+		end
+	end,
+})
+
+--
+-- craft recipes
+--
+minetest.register_craft({
+        output = 'cottages:pitchfork',
+        recipe = {
+                { 'default:stick','default:stick','default:stick' },
+                { '','default:stick', '' },
+                { '','default:stick','' },
+        }
+})
diff --git a/nodes_straw.lua b/nodes_straw.lua
index ff30bf8..940fa3b 100644
--- a/nodes_straw.lua
+++ b/nodes_straw.lua
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ minetest.register_node("cottages:straw_mat", {
         paramtype = 'light',
         paramtype2 = "facedir",
         walkable = false,
-        groups = { snappy = 3 },
+	groups = { hay = 3, snappy = 2, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable=3 },
         sounds = default.node_sound_leaves_defaults,
 	node_box = {
 		type = "fixed",
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ minetest.register_node("cottages:straw_bale", {
 	description = S("straw bale"),
 	tiles = {"cottages_darkage_straw_bale.png"},
 	paramtype = "light",
-	groups = {snappy=1,choppy=2,oddly_breakable_by_hand=2,flammable=3},
+	groups = { hay = 3, snappy = 2, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable=3 },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults,
         -- the bale is slightly smaller than a full node
 	node_box = {
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ minetest.register_node("cottages:straw", {
 	drawtype = "normal",
 	description = S("straw"),
 	tiles = {"cottages_darkage_straw.png"},
-	groups = {snappy=3,choppy=3,oddly_breakable_by_hand=3,flammable=3},
+	groups = { hay = 3, snappy = 2, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2, flammable=3 },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults,
         -- the bale is slightly smaller than a full node
 	is_ground_content = false,