Friday, May 29, 2009

Blackberry 1, Mower 1/2

We are clearing the last field so that we can fence it for pasture. It has been left for three years, which in the Pacific Northwest means it is over run by blackberry. It may not be as quick as Kudzu, but it gets points for tenacity and those thorns! Rented a brush mower to clear just the new fence line. That is not going to happen. The canes wrapped themselves around the wheels and the blade to bring the mower to a halt. Now to rent a guy with a tractor to brush hog.



The alpacas love the blackberry leaves and in their pastures they keep the blackberry under control - eaten to the ground. Thought if I could just get the thing fenced, I would let the pacas out to clear the rest. They did not read the book that says they are grazers. Mine are browsers, they eat anything they can reach with those long necks and prehensile lips. Everything except thistle. But that is another story.

Blackberries try to take over my back yard every year too. I chop it back to the fence line twice a year. So far it has not advanced, but if one takes their eyes off it, it will take over the house.



This is a view of the back of the property - we have blackberry - anything that is not a tree and is green is blackberry.



Looking at one of the 5 foot posts being overrun by the blackberry.

2 comments:

Gallus Gallus said...

Brush hogs do work, although a tractor with a blade works really, really well, even on Scotch broom! As long as the alpacas can reach it, they'll keep it under control. They love poison oak, too.

Good luck with the clearing.

Roxanne said...

Have used brush hogs, but with the trees and hills we have, it is not as effective as one would hope. Clears the open areas great though.

Have never tried a blade. Will look into to it. Thanks!