It seems like it’s been awhile since I’ve posted any pictures of the backyard, so I thought I’d show you what we’ve been up to lately. It may not look that exciting, but up until a few weeks ago, the area behind the wooden chair was covered with brush.
Because of all the brush, I have not been able to measure the area to know exactly how much new growing space we are gaining. But as soon as we get it all cleared, I’ll let you know. I’m hoping we will gain about extra 50×100 feet or so when we are all done.
Although I have absolutely no idea what I’ll be planting in the area around the chicken coop, I’m really excited. I kind of think it would look really neat if we could create some sort of rustic walkway and plant a perennial flower garden right up against the chicken run.
At five feet tall, the run would be the perfect height to plant sweet peas or some sort of other vine. But in order to pull that off, I would have to block the bottom portion of the run somehow so the the hens wouldn’t eat the plants. We’ll see.
This is what we have ahead of us. Yikes! If you look closely, you’ll notice a wooden chair in the background. It’s sitting in the general area where I’ll be relocating our berry patch. Once the area is cleared, we’ll dig up the raspberry canes, blueberry bushes and strawberry plants and put them in OCD rows so they will line up with the greenhouse, then gradually inch their way down the hillside.
There is a lot of work to be done before we can plant seeds, but getting there is half the fun. Right?
Peace Out Girl Scout,
~Mavis
Jessie says
Awesome! I only have grass and moving a few plants around to deal with in my yard, and its only a quarter acre! I have the neighbor’s trees to contend with though, so that brings me to the question: how much sun does most of your garden get? Do you have a post about it I haven’t found yet? I am thinking after seeing some pictures of various areas of your yard, that even parts of my yard I consider “shaded” get as much sun as some of the areas your garden is thriving in! My gardener’s heart then says “get a bulldozer and make the garden bigger!!!” I just want to confirm somehow that the plants will get enough sun.
Mavis says
Hi Jessie, I will write a post specifically about this in the next day or two. 🙂 It’s kind of a long answer.
Kim says
Not sure how much sun you get but what about sunflowers or amaranth? After dried I like to throw them to the girls as treats when there are no more greens.
bonnie fuentevilla says
Would love the 411 on your coop( orange and white thing ? ) and some close ups of it. Is that netting I see ? Raccoons ? Etc.,
indio says
I planted vines in pots next to the chicken run. The girls couldn’t chow down on the young plants because they were protected by the pots. I didn’t want it to plant too thick since I like being able to glance out the window and see what’s going on in the chicken run.
suzanne says
Please grow some Jerusalem artichokes. I want to know if they’re any good before I commit and you are the recipe queen!
Mavis says
On my list! 🙂
Deana says
Just make sure what ever you plant around the coop the plants are safe for the chickens to eat.
I used rocks that I found around our property to put around the sides of my coops (inside the coops).
This kept them from being able to get to any of the greens growing in the small garden patch next to them. And also came in handy when I had to hang up the tarp in bad weather as well. Used the rocks I placed inside the coops
Edging to hold down the bottom of the tarp so it would not blow around in a rain storm and to help keep the rain out.
They like to stand on the rocks now and then, I am sure the rough stones felt good on the feet and filed down the nails some too.
Mavis says
I like your idea about the rocks Deana. Thanks!