Dave Left

Hi Robbie, thanks. Very interesting about the way your state is dealing with it. I have to admit I'm under the impression that pigs are some of the best digesters around; the fact they are so good at rooting out the roots of things is why they'd be a potentially good option with knotweed... and yes I have read already that goats will only eat the tops, if at all. however, goats are great for controlling many other invasive plants.

I was just at the patch at my workplace today, and discovered we're not too late to pick some for eating, so I'll be getting some of the early strawberries that are coming ripe now, and make a crisp this week with it all. and I'll freeze some too, just for fun when the season is further along with other fruits. I was pleasantly surprised at how mild the taste of the peeled stalk is. I'll definitely be on it much earlier in the season next year!

Looks like a Penstemon species. probably a native plant in your area. collect seeds in a month or so and them out in the ground at your place. they'll probably come up at the end of the summer, in the fall, when you water them, or in the spring. It's beautiful. There are so many great species of Penstemon from western north america.

Has anyone used pigs to get rid of Japanese knotweed yet? I know they are really rough on the soil and compact the ground like crazy - taking all the air and tilth out of the soil. But if they were to be used - and were successful at getting rid of the knotweed - then couldn't a backhoe be brought in to loosen up the compacted earth and add some good organic matter and sand, etc. to help loosen it up? I would love to hear how this goes. We have a sizable patch of it at my work - easily a 100' x 100'. The biggest issue is it's close to a lightly-travelled road, and our irrigation supply pump house. We could fence it off on all sides, and install a shelter for the pigs if it turns out to be a good idea. I am looking to others to hear if it has worked first, before we attempt to jump in with both feet. Thanks!

I love this new feature! keep it up please. great for people like me with finite amounts of time for computer work and research.

Hi, it's actually a really good idea in general, to castrate the boys that you don't want to breed, for all the reasons already stated. Also, wethers are much more docile, and are better in pack or brush eating herds - and deal with the public much better - than bucks. And, frankly, IMHO, their meat marbles better, and tastes sweeter.