In traditional farming systems, this designated the poorer land located furthest from the farmstead. Unlike the heavily fertilized infields, these remote plots were planted with hardy crops like oats until the soil nutrients were completely exhausted. The land was then left fallow for several years to recover its fertility naturally.
Heard on the job
They used the outfield primarily for grazing sheep and only broke it for oats when the main harvest was short.
Related terms
Infield
The arable land located closest to the farmstead or village.
Open-field system
A historic agricultural arrangement where large, unfenced village fields were divided into narrow strips.
Fallow
Cultivated land that is deliberately left unplanted for one or more growing seasons to recover its fertility.