English Ivy for shade around the run?

[Bec]

I just planted some English Ivy around the edges of the chicken run...was this a mistake? I was just reading that it can take over everything! But it is so pretty and thick so i thought if it climbed the sided of the chain link kennel, it would provide good shade in the summer time.

 

[Imp]

It can take over, but it is easy to keep under control. It is pretty & thick and will provide great shade fairly quickly.

Imp

 

[Bec]

So if I keep it trimmed, it will be ok? How long do you think until it grows up the 6ft chain link panels?


This year they are going to have to be locked in during the day, I am now working full time and they can't be under supervision during the day. I wanted to make sure they had plenty of shade in their runs.

 

[Imp]

Established ivy here will grow tendrils maybe 1-2 feet per year. I'll guess 2-3 years before it thickly covers a chainlink fence up 6 ft. If you planted many starts at the base it will get thick faster. It will have a tendency to try to grow along the ground and root the tendrils in, so you may have to train it up the fence. Keep it well watered and a little fertilizer to encourage faster growth.
Eventually if it gets really old they will try to form small trees, about 4-5 feet tall, with trunks getting 2-3 inches in diameter.

Imp

 

[Bec]

Is there anything else I can put in there that will grown fast enough to provide shade this summer?

 

[BankerJohn]

have you thought about a grape trellis (muscadine grapes)?

 

[Bec]

I've never heard of it

But it sounds neat...I will have to google it!

 

[Imp]

Clematis, Akebia, and Honeysuckle grow incredibly fast, and grow all summer long. Bamboo also is a speed demon, but this summer- anything started now will probably be slow this year.
How about buying something that is already tall and thick, maybe Thuja, or shrubs or fruit trees.
Or a protected bed of Sunflowers, they grow fast and have big leaves, bonus is the flowers and seeds. You would need to protect them from the chickens.

Imp

 

[Bec]

I have TONS of honeysuckle out there! I will have to propagate and transplant some over there! Will they eat it though?

 

[Xodrana]

I would plant something edible like green beans , some for me and what ever the chickens could reach through the wire. Squash would be good for family use and some for the chickens. Corn can grow pretty tall as can sun flowers. There are many possibilities. I would put in something which would provide shade through the hot months then die off so the sun could shine through in the cold months.