I get on well with the farmer but as he's an old guy I tend to rebuild the wall myself and you are right, living in a beautiful small village with wonderful view does have it's compensation. To a certain extent the cows are not too much of a problem it's the look of the garden ater they have raided. I used Honeysuckle as that seems to grow back and flower again within a few days. I like the idea of hawthorn, I'm not sure how well it will do as I haven't seen anying the local area plus if the cows like the pyrocantha will the hawthorn just be a nice gentle starter?
I will look into the electric fence idea, I used a water pistol to deter the local cats,(never actually hit one but the now avoid my garden and the birds are back) maybe the cows will learn as well.
Hawthorn's the most common boundary hedge for livestock as it provides a good dense barrier. You might need to protect it initially but it establishes quickly. If you're on good terms with the farmer then the best solution is to discuss how to make the wall a bit more substantial so that the cattle can't just push it over. It would be a shame if you had to sacrifice your plants continually - I know how that feels. Perhaps the farmer would let you mortar the wall as long as it didn't affect the look?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
As you are in a rural area, you may be able to find trainees from ag college who will be able to help with hawthorn hedging etc.
I know wolves isnt close to you but ive got hawthorn which grows really well, just dont be shy of cutting it back or having it layered as it can be a bit of a bully!
I wonder if a simple trench on the field side (with farmers permission) would make it too much bother for them?
It is entirely the farmer's responsibility to keep his cows away from other people's property.
Visit him and ask him either to put up an electric fence or a permanent fence.
If his cows have damaged the wall it is his responsibility to repair it. At his expense. If he will not do so get it repaired and send him the bill. The small claims court is available to you. But do make sure you have something in writing or he will claim you never complained.
Does the farmer even know what his beasts are doing? Just have a quiet word with him about your garden, and try to find a non-threatening way of introducing a timescale into the conversation.
Joe - you're right about being non threatening. Careful negotiation is the only way. Doesn't matter that Ian's in the 'right' - farmers can be very good allies, but very bad enemies. I've seen it happen many times.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have a similar problem but with horses in the field behind me. One of them strayed into my garden last year & did quite a bit of damage - fortunately we were in the middle of the really messy stage of landscaping & we were able to make things right without too much effort.
The landowner is a bit 'strange' and has fallen out with a lot of people in the village and her response has been to just let weeds, hedgerows etc etc grow completely out of control so that neighbouring gardens have a real fight to keep their gardens looking nice. She has been taken to court more than once.
We have been here 3 years & whilst I am not friends with her, we do have a polite & respectful co existence (I think she was relieved I didn't take legal action last year!). We rub along to both our benefits by me approaching her if anything is affecting my garden / view & by her agreeing for me to have the work done. It's not ideal but she is getting work done she should (but wouldn't) do herself and I am getting the job done to my standards & in a way which is most beneficial & pleasing to me.
I would certainly chat to the farmer about this. Does he even know there is a problem? He might agree to do something about it straight away. It might be that he doesn't have the resources to deal with the problem but would be happy for you to sort it out if you have the cash to do it (or he might go halves). If so I would look at strengthening the wall and / or using electric fencing as suggested before.
I certainly wouldn't go down the threatening route except as a final resort.
If the cows don't eat foxgloves they might also resist aconitum (both are toxic) which don't mind a shadier garden.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
We had a cow problem. They are separated from our garden by an old barbed wire fence that comes up to their chests and we have put a green mesh fence Inside half of that to stop children and dogs escaping. However the front half was planted with a holly hedge to act as a windbreak except it grew short and fat as the cows nibbled all the fresh young growth and kept it pruned.
I have now erected some of that strong steel mesh that builders use for reinforcing concrete. It is cut to 5' high and attached to the fence posts. It is practically invisible so doesn't spoil my view and the cows, who are curious beasties, can still come and see us going about our business in the garden. My holly hedge is now getting taller.
The wire mesh is very inexpensive from builders merchants and comes in lengths of 5m x 2 m. You'd need a few wooden or concrete posts to hold it up and permission from the farmer unless you can erect it on your side of the wall.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
We have cemented the core of the drystone walls here and it works fine.. You don't need much just remove the top layers if they are double sided until you hit the throughers.. If its a single depth wall as you rebuild it throw a dollop of wet mix under the stones as you rebuild.
Re the farmer best bet is to ring him and simply say "I thought you might like to know the cows have got out but are safe and are in my garden - do you want to get them" - That way he gets to see the wall or you can point out where they got in..
Posts
I get on well with the farmer but as he's an old guy I tend to rebuild the wall myself and you are right, living in a beautiful small village with wonderful view does have it's compensation. To a certain extent the cows are not too much of a problem it's the look of the garden ater they have raided. I used Honeysuckle as that seems to grow back and flower again within a few days. I like the idea of hawthorn, I'm not sure how well it will do as I haven't seen anying the local area plus if the cows like the pyrocantha will the hawthorn just be a nice gentle starter?
I will look into the electric fence idea, I used a water pistol to deter the local cats,(never actually hit one but the now avoid my garden and the birds are back) maybe the cows will learn as well.
Hawthorn's the most common boundary hedge for livestock as it provides a good dense barrier. You might need to protect it initially but it establishes quickly. If you're on good terms with the farmer then the best solution is to discuss how to make the wall a bit more substantial so that the cattle can't just push it over. It would be a shame if you had to sacrifice your plants continually - I know how that feels. Perhaps the farmer would let you mortar the wall as long as it didn't affect the look?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I know wolves isnt close to you but ive got hawthorn which grows really well, just dont be shy of cutting it back or having it layered as it can be a bit of a bully!
I wonder if a simple trench on the field side (with farmers permission) would make it too much bother for them?
It is entirely the farmer's responsibility to keep his cows away from other people's property.
Visit him and ask him either to put up an electric fence or a permanent fence.
If his cows have damaged the wall it is his responsibility to repair it. At his expense. If he will not do so get it repaired and send him the bill. The small claims court is available to you. But do make sure you have something in writing or he will claim you never complained.
Does the farmer even know what his beasts are doing? Just have a quiet word with him about your garden, and try to find a non-threatening way of introducing a timescale into the conversation.
Joe - you're right about being non threatening. Careful negotiation is the only way. Doesn't matter that Ian's in the 'right' - farmers can be very good allies, but very bad enemies. I've seen it happen many times.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have a similar problem but with horses in the field behind me. One of them strayed into my garden last year & did quite a bit of damage - fortunately we were in the middle of the really messy stage of landscaping & we were able to make things right without too much effort.
The landowner is a bit 'strange' and has fallen out with a lot of people in the village and her response has been to just let weeds, hedgerows etc etc grow completely out of control so that neighbouring gardens have a real fight to keep their gardens looking nice. She has been taken to court more than once.
We have been here 3 years & whilst I am not friends with her, we do have a polite & respectful co existence (I think she was relieved I didn't take legal action last year!). We rub along to both our benefits by me approaching her if anything is affecting my garden / view & by her agreeing for me to have the work done. It's not ideal but she is getting work done she should (but wouldn't) do herself and I am getting the job done to my standards & in a way which is most beneficial & pleasing to me.
I would certainly chat to the farmer about this. Does he even know there is a problem? He might agree to do something about it straight away. It might be that he doesn't have the resources to deal with the problem but would be happy for you to sort it out if you have the cash to do it (or he might go halves). If so I would look at strengthening the wall and / or using electric fencing as suggested before.
I certainly wouldn't go down the threatening route except as a final resort.
If the cows don't eat foxgloves they might also resist aconitum (both are toxic) which don't mind a shadier garden.
We had a cow problem. They are separated from our garden by an old barbed wire fence that comes up to their chests and we have put a green mesh fence Inside half of that to stop children and dogs escaping. However the front half was planted with a holly hedge to act as a windbreak except it grew short and fat as the cows nibbled all the fresh young growth and kept it pruned.
I have now erected some of that strong steel mesh that builders use for reinforcing concrete. It is cut to 5' high and attached to the fence posts. It is practically invisible so doesn't spoil my view and the cows, who are curious beasties, can still come and see us going about our business in the garden. My holly hedge is now getting taller.
The wire mesh is very inexpensive from builders merchants and comes in lengths of 5m x 2 m. You'd need a few wooden or concrete posts to hold it up and permission from the farmer unless you can erect it on your side of the wall.
We have cemented the core of the drystone walls here and it works fine.. You don't need much just remove the top layers if they are double sided until you hit the throughers.. If its a single depth wall as you rebuild it throw a dollop of wet mix under the stones as you rebuild.
Re the farmer best bet is to ring him and simply say "I thought you might like to know the cows have got out but are safe and are in my garden - do you want to get them" - That way he gets to see the wall or you can point out where they got in..