Normally I post about how to get things to grow, but this time I'm posting about getting rid of plants! I've had a mess in my side yard since I moved into the house. The briars, weeds, and vines had gotten so bad that I couldn't see the cows next door anymore. The cleanup of this area was priced by a landscaping company and it was going to cost thousands. Then I heard about a goat rental company....Amazing Grazing Goats! Their quote was much lower than hiring people to bushhog, plus I would get goats for a few days. So....Goats were a Go - and they were so much fun!
The goats were family farm raised and extremely friendly. Each one was named (I got 8 females) and they enjoyed treats and head scratches! The goats eat the vines and weeds down to the ground and they digest the seeds so well that they don't sprout back. Their poo is fairly clean and makes for great fertilizer.
The goats were delivered on a Monday night and by the following Sunday, they had eaten everything and were out of food! The before and after pictures really show the extent of the work they did. All I am left with are sticks and loose vines, which I will pile up and burn later in the year.
The goats would stand on their hind legs to reach up and grab branches and vines. They stood up against trees to get hard-to-reach greenery and weren't shy about nibbling anything that looked good. The "goat man" also came and cut down large vines and limbs so they could get to the tasty leaves. It was great that they cleared all the brush but left the trees healthy and intact.
I strongly encourage others to seek out goats for clearing any troublesome wild areas. Not only did they do a fantastic job, but they also served as entertainment for the whole neighborhood! The goats will be missed!
