Climbing plant for the run....

[MountainMomma359]

Looking for ideas on a climbing plant to plant in my run. Something edible for the girls would be nice. Here is the catch though: I have a black thumb. I am an awful gardener. I can keep herbs alive fairly well though, I guess they are close enough to weeds as far as will to survive

 

[NatJ]

Maybe peas or pole beans? Both have nice big seeds, edible leaves, and grow fast.
But I'm pretty sure the chickens will eat it as soon as it sprouts, or even eat the seeds before it sprouts, so you would need to protect it. Or grow it on the outside of the run, so they can only eat the leaves they can reach through the fence.

If you want a plant that lives longer than one summer, maybe a grape vine. I know people eat stuffed grape leaves, so I am guessing they would be safe for chickens as well. (Although I've read that chickens should not eat large quantities of grapes, the fruit, so maybe not the best choice.)

 

[Alaskan]

grow it on the outside of the run, so they can only eat the leaves they can reach through the fence.

There ya go... that is the only way to do it. Make sure the roots are far enough away from the run that the chickens can't tear them up.

So... plant maybe a foot away from the run wall... and as the plant grows up, you can bring some of the plant to the run wall.

And yes... obviously, pick an edible plant.

 

[aart]

If you want a plant that lives longer than one summer, maybe a grape vine. I know people eat stuffed grape leaves, so I am guessing they would be safe for chickens as well. (Although I've read that chickens should not eat large quantities of grapes, the fruit, so maybe not the best choice.)

Not to mention that woody perennial vines can tear a structure apart.

 

[Justso]

This year I'm trying scarlet runner beans. I have a black thumb too! We'll see how it goes.
Climbing nasturtium would be pretty too, and they're easy to start from seed.

 

[perkolator]

We’ve got a lot of pumpkins growing in our run already from the ones we gave them last fall. But for climbing plants I’m likely going to try growing cucumbers on our run fence this year, ours always seem to enjoy cukes

 

[MadGardener]

What is your location? If you're into native gardening, passionflower may be another option. Gorgeous and unique flowers, fruit if you're lucky, and vigorous growth.

One of the most important parts of growing is selecting a suitable location. Consider how many hours of sun. Some plants care if they get the sun in the morning or afternoon. Is the location very wet, or very dry? Do you have a lot of clay or sand in your native soil?

 

[SandyRiverChick]

The only climbing plant that I've successfully planted against my chain link Run is Blackberry's. I can't kill them, chickens can't kill them and chicken's really love the berries that drop in the Run. I have a lot of climbing roses which are for looks, not food, that the chickens haven't killed yet but that's because I've protected the roots with wooden planters. Anything they like to eat is going to be killed before it can bear even a leaf. I've watched my little baby seedling flying through the air as the chickens scratch them up. Arghhh

 

[FortFusterCluck]

I have birdhouse gourds started in planters. They will be secured to near the top of the run so they have a chance to really start and grow before they get eaten. My neighbor does the same with loofa gourds.