The goats have been super busy cleaning out my gardens of everything living except for the mint. Of course. The mint could use some pruning, but they aren’t helpful like that. Hopefully, I will finish the fencing I want to get done before the summer is over so that in the future I’m not letting them roam quite so freely as I am now. I’ve been letting them out every morning to graze wherever they want, which of course has included grazing down my rose bushes–which weren’t doing very well anyway–and this large bush that is blocking the path of the tractor to the upper pasture.
I’m planning to have all those bushes torn out, along with the two (unused) satellite dishes. Those dishes and that large bush need to go because that is the only path to take the tractor to the upper pasture. The goats might as well enjoy the bush while it’s still standing.
I’ve had a love-hate relationship with the gardens around the house and studio since I moved in. They’re a little high maintenance for my tastes. I finally came to the conclusion this year that I would tear them out and start over with something that suited me better.
I think the goats are really enjoying this plan. Though they might not be so happy when I get the new super-tight fencing installed in their new field between the barnyard and the house!
lifeisgood/ Melinda says:
I know this story very well!! I planted four expensive rose bushes in February of this year around my patio. The goats escaped and ate them down to nubs last week…and my lime, lemon, and orange trees, and all of my pepper plants and broccoli and most of whatever else was alive in the yard except the tomato plants and eggplant.
On June 6, 2014 at 9:17 am
JustUgly says:
Oooo. Are the satellite dishes the big round solid ones? They make great roofs for little sheds!!! Think tool shed, small storage, feed covers etc!!! Even the ones that are big and non-solid can be used as the base structure for a roof….
Little ones can be used in making a solar oven (needs mirror pieces), bird feeders… troughs… etc…
Someone will want them!!!
Just sharing! Judy
On June 6, 2014 at 11:07 am
easygoinglady says:
The goats are just trying to help! :sun:
On June 6, 2014 at 5:08 pm
DeniseS says:
To Judy in Reply 2. What great ideas for satellite dishes.
and
The goats sure beat hiring a lawn service.
On June 6, 2014 at 9:41 pm
Chicken Crossing says:
“If it won’t hold water, it won’t hold a goat.” That’s the advice I heard when I first got goats and quickly learned how true it was. :hissyfit: No matter how secure I think the fencing is there is always one that finds a small breach of security and escapes. We lost an apple tree because they kept getting out and nibbling on the bark. One spring the tree just didn’t come back. It couldn’t survive the long, cold SD winter without it’s bark. Despite their shenanigans, I love my goats! :heart:
On June 6, 2014 at 10:37 pm
Journey11 says:
The roses will come right back. You’ll be surprised.
Maybe you would like raised bed gardening? I have 3 in addition to the big garden and they are MUCH easier to tend. Almost no weeding and the soil quality is better.
On June 7, 2014 at 1:03 am
Joell says:
:happyflower:
Maybe you could do a rent-a-goat landscape clean up service.
They are just so cute. I was cutting back some of my roses and have heavy leather gloves, I dont know how they can eat the stalks.
Love the ideas for dish reuse.
On June 7, 2014 at 6:40 pm
jodiezoeller says:
Wow! I need a goat. I’ve got lots of shrubs that I hate around my house and would love to get them eaten. But then of course I want to plant roses in their place and those would be little goat snacks, so it wouldn’t work out. Good luck with goat-proof fencing. Your goats are spoiled and love doing landscaping! LOL
On June 8, 2014 at 10:51 am
GALX7 says:
Suzanne
I do not write often but I never miss your blog and have read quite a few books…..Loveya!!!
Anywho…..I saw a story where they painted old satellites and made them look like flowers to plant in your yard. I bet you could get your painter friend to do that and it would teach others to brighten their yard too!! love a lot of the other ideas too!! Have fun. Thanks for sharing.
Cathy
On June 14, 2014 at 10:10 am