Mumsy's Romantic Garden Advice

[Kassaundra]

They use rental flocks of goats to clear property. Of every living plant, twig, leaf, and bark. I have no clue to what goats won't eat.

That knowledge will come from someone that has goats. I raised cattle and horses. But not goats or sheep. Sorry Justine. Goat proof fences are the only thing I can think of.

That's almost as funny as the plants goats won't eat!

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote:

 

[wlhtx]

Agreed Kassaundra! My goat pen is mostly chain link - so, admittedly, not the best in terms of "goat proof." But if they don't just jump right over it, they squeeze out from under it in the maybe 5 inch wide low spot they found on one side. With goats, the only thing I've found that mine won't eat are the really reedy plants that grow naturally around my pond. Now, I'm not sure if they won't eat it or just prefer to eat other things, like pasture grass or my vegetable plants...

So as we are talking bout cuttings, is it possible to take cuttings from vining plants like honeysuckle? (Total newbie here, so don't laugh if this is a ridiculous question...) We have wild honeysuckle growing all in the woods on our property. Some really huge. I would love to be able to utilize some of this as a free source of a native plant.

 

[midnightroo]

I have not seen a rosé garden at the zoo but there is a rosé garden at Delaware park & I remember they have signs on them. Def need to stop by to see what kinds they have. Thanks for the great idea!

Is this up in NY? You say Delaware and I think of the State me to door to me.

So many beautiful flowers and wonderful advice. I am going to have to read this thread many times over to absorb it all. Mumsy I sent you an email with photos. I can post here if it is easier. Let me know.

I am going to be so far behind on everything between this thread and the other I read that I won't get any gardening done. But I can't stay today, left lunch at home and we have a play date after gymnastics.

Quick question. What would be a good hedge plant without a fence that grows well in both semi shade and full sun. An evergreen would be great. I will look into the guara plants armor got. I think I will like them.

Also armor, we have the trumpet vines here and many cut them down after time. They tend to grow crazy and when you cut them down seedling grow up from the roots all over the place.

Ok really gotta go get lunch. Have a great day everyone!

 

[Kassaundra]

Agreed Kassaundra! My goat pen is mostly chain link - so, admittedly, not the best in terms of "goat proof." But if they don't just jump right over it, they squeeze out from under it in the maybe 5 inch wide low spot they found on one side. With goats, the only thing I've found that mine won't eat are the really reedy plants that grow naturally around my pond. Now, I'm not sure if they won't eat it or just prefer to eat other things, like pasture grass or my vegetable plants...

So as we are talking bout cuttings, is it possible to take cuttings from vining plants like honeysuckle? (Total newbie here, so don't laugh if this is a ridiculous question...) We have wild honeysuckle growing all in the woods on our property. Some really huge. I would love to be able to utilize some of this as a free source of a native plant.

I don't have goats now, but growing up as a teen w/ my Gparents we had milk nannies and there young we usually kept one billy separate from the girls. We never found a fence a determined goat couldn't breech. The had 15 acres of wooded land w/ large climbing rocks, seeming paradise for a goat, but there was always that one tree, or plant to nibble just outside the fence or that one car to climb instead of the awesome climbing rocks. And heaven help your fence during persimmon ripening season!!!!!!!

 

[MumsyII]

Agreed Kassaundra! My goat pen is mostly chain link - so, admittedly, not the best in terms of "goat proof." But if they don't just jump right over it, they squeeze out from under it in the maybe 5 inch wide low spot they found on one side. With goats, the only thing I've found that mine won't eat are the really reedy plants that grow naturally around my pond. Now, I'm not sure if they won't eat it or just prefer to eat other things, like pasture grass or my vegetable plants...

So as we are talking bout cuttings, is it possible to take cuttings from vining plants like honeysuckle? (Total newbie here, so don't laugh if this is a ridiculous question...) We have wild honeysuckle growing all in the woods on our property. Some really huge. I would love to be able to utilize some of this as a free source of a native plant.

No questions are going to get laughed at here by me. I will always try to be as honest as I can be from my own knowledge or hopefully someone that frequents this thread has a good suggestion too.

Honeysuckles are easy to root if you time it right. They grow so fast, it is hard to catch them at a moment when the vines are not too new and soft. I'll bet you can rummage around under the plant and find it rooting itself. Go look carefully all around that big bush. If you do in fact see lots of baby root-lings, place a rock or stick near them to mark the spot. Go back when the plant is totally dormant and carefully lift one of those root-lings. Take your nippers/scissors and cut back the dead vines to about four or five inches. Get as many roots as you can and get them in water or a pot of soil right away. Set the plant aside until Spring. Or, plant it right away. Try to see what kind of exposure the parent plant is growing in. Is it in dappled sun and shade? Is it growing in rich leafy forest soil. Clay? Sand? Try to plant the new root-lings in the same or close to the same exposure and conditions. This is the way I transplant or propagate wild gathered plants. You have a wonderful opportunity to add to your garden from this source.

Oh...This is a good place for me to state my moral feelings about harvesting plants in the wild. National Parks and public areas this is illegal. I don't do it there.

Along side roads, abandoned lots, abandoned cemeteries, and when invited, yes. If it is not growing on private property. I look around the area. Is this plant a native rarity? Is it endangered in the wild? I will not touch those. Is it common and I can count five to seven of that plant in the immediate area? If yes, then I take one. If there is a whole lot of it, I may take three. Plants have become extinct in the world from over harvesting. I don't ever want that on my conscience.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Delaware park is in Buffalo NY. It was designed by Federick Law Olmstead.

The trumpet vine has only this tree in its immediate area. Thanks for the info that it self seeds. Sounds like my Rose of Sharons. I never pull their seedlings either and its a good thing since I used some of them this year

 

[MumsyII]

Is this up in NY? You say Delaware and I think of the State me to door to me.

So many beautiful flowers and wonderful advice. I am going to have to read this thread many times over to absorb it all. Mumsy I sent you an email with photos. I can post here if it is easier. Let me know.

I am going to be so far behind on everything between this thread and the other I read that I won't get any gardening done. But I can't stay today, left lunch at home and we have a play date after gymnastics.

Quick question. What would be a good hedge plant without a fence that grows well in both semi shade and full sun. An evergreen would be great. I will look into the guara plants armor got. I think I will like them.

Also armor, we have the trumpet vines here and many cut them down after time. They tend to grow crazy and when you cut them down seedling grow up from the roots all over the place.

Ok really gotta go get lunch. Have a great day everyone!

I will go back and find your email today. I have been spending so much time on this thread, I forgot. *OOooops* I will give some thought to evergreen shrubs. Arborvitae comes to mind. Holly. Privet. Laurel... Hmmm...

 

[aoxa]

Here are some previous garden pictures last year. The goats have consumed a lot of this stuff unfortunately. Fence is needed!


This yellow plant runs all along the fence line and is beautiful. Any idea what it is?

 

[MumsyII]

Here are some previous garden pictures last year. The goats have consumed a lot of this stuff unfortunately. Fence is needed!


This yellow plant runs all along the fence line and is beautiful. Any idea what it is?

TURKEYS! Love love love turkeys.

I can't really make out the bloom. Needs a close up. My first guess is Giant Goldenrod but I can't really tell. Were these pictures taken late summer?
edited to add: Is it Yellow Penstemon?