Need ideas for fast-growing edibles to plant around chicken fence

[Gallo del Cielo]

For those in warmer climates, like the OP, I would highly recommend Chayote, also known as Vegetable Pear or Merliton. They were first cultivated by the Aztecs and subsequently moved all around the gulf of Mexico, which is where you're more likely to find them now. They can be found in many southern supermarkets and most markets specializing in Mexican fare. You plant the whole squash and it grows vines at astonishing speeds. Both the vines and squashes are edible and very healthy. The best thing is they are cheap to plant. I think chayote might be my chickens' favorite green.

 

[FlyingtheCoop]

Nevermind, that's what I get for failing to read. So you just stick the squash in the ground? You don't have to dry it or prep it in any way?

 

[kenh2010]

Have enjoyed reading this post. Somewhere back in my mind I had lingering that four-o'clocks were toxic. I did a little research this morning and found that the roots and leaves have mild toxicity when eaten. Just a thought before anyone plants them for their chickens. I'm a newbie and get my chicks in three weeks! Can't wait! Ken

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
Leave it on the kitchen counter until it sprouts--keep it oriented at a 45 degree angle with the pointy end down and the fat end up. Once it sprouts, plant it in the ground in the same orientation, with the top of the squash just barely under the surface of the soil and the sprout sticking out. It likes to have a largish area prepared first--various things I've read indicate an area about 4' X 4' should be dug out to a depth of 2' and richly amended with compost. My experience is similar, the better I first prepared the soil, the better the plant performed (although I never prepared an area quite as large as suggested--this year I will). Chayote grow tubers (which are edible too) and in warmer climates the vines die off in after the first frost, but will return again in the spring if you don't eat the tubers and mulch the area well. The first year you can expect it to produce about 25 squashes and by the second year you could see as many as 150 or more. I'm starting to wonder if the plant was the inspiration for the movie, "The Little Shop of Horrors", it grows so fast. I took measurements last summer and at the peak of the growing season, each vine was growing about 6"-8" per day. You can actually see the tendrils moving around to grab onto things (albeit very slowly).

 

[knjinnm]

Quote:
Leave it on the kitchen counter until it sprouts--keep it oriented at a 45 degree angle with the pointy end down and the fat end up. Once it sprouts, plant it in the ground in the same orientation, with the top of the squash just barely under the surface of the soil and the sprout sticking out. It likes to have a largish area prepared first--various things I've read indicate an area about 4' X 4' should be dug out to a depth of 2' and richly amended with compost. My experience is similar, the better I first prepared the soil, the better the plant performed (although I never prepared an area quite as large as suggested--this year I will). Chayote grow tubers (which are edible too) and in warmer climates the vines die off in after the first frost, but will return again in the spring if you don't eat the tubers and mulch the area well. The first year you can expect it to produce about 25 squashes and by the second year you could see as many as 150 or more. I'm starting to wonder if the plant was the inspiration for the movie, "The Little Shop of Horrors", it grows so fast. I took measurements last summer and at the peak of the growing season, each vine was growing about 6"-8" per day. You can actually see the tendrils moving around to grab onto things (albeit very slowly).

Hi,
Do you have a problem with birds eating them or other critters munching them?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
Leave it on the kitchen counter until it sprouts--keep it oriented at a 45 degree angle with the pointy end down and the fat end up. Once it sprouts, plant it in the ground in the same orientation, with the top of the squash just barely under the surface of the soil and the sprout sticking out. It likes to have a largish area prepared first--various things I've read indicate an area about 4' X 4' should be dug out to a depth of 2' and richly amended with compost. My experience is similar, the better I first prepared the soil, the better the plant performed (although I never prepared an area quite as large as suggested--this year I will). Chayote grow tubers (which are edible too) and in warmer climates the vines die off in after the first frost, but will return again in the spring if you don't eat the tubers and mulch the area well. The first year you can expect it to produce about 25 squashes and by the second year you could see as many as 150 or more. I'm starting to wonder if the plant was the inspiration for the movie, "The Little Shop of Horrors", it grows so fast. I took measurements last summer and at the peak of the growing season, each vine was growing about 6"-8" per day. You can actually see the tendrils moving around to grab onto things (albeit very slowly).

Hi,
Do you have a problem with birds eating them or other critters munching them?

I was surprised that only the chickens and I found the vines to be tasty. The tubers were another story though. My first year I had no problems, but by the second year beetle larvae (grubs) devastated the tubers in some plants. I'll be going today to pick up more squashes to have them ready for planting in the next couple of weeks to replace the plants I lost. My plan is to use beetle traps in each plant to limit damage this summer.

 

[gmendoza]

Pinto beans. Mine ate pinto beans.they grow at a remarcable rate and I didnt hear the chickens complain once

 

[knjinnm]

Quote:
We have a critter called a desert wood-rat which could be a problem as well as gophers. I thing we can get the vines started in the run with adequate protection from chickens and wood-rats but the gophers are very good at evading footings and other barriers, but worth a try.
Thanks for the tip.

Joe

 

[jktrahan]

I throw mustard green seeds on top of the ground around my garden and it takes about 3 or 4 days to start sprouting in warmer weather. Chickens have been munching on the leaves and I cut the bigger leaves and feed my compost bin throughout the winter.

you can see the mustard greens to the left of this raised bed: