Plants for around the coop?

[CDA15]

So my husband has built these lovely flower boxes for around the coop. Any suggestions on what to put in there? I was planning on planting mint, but it will die back in the winter. It will come back in the spring since it's a perennial here. Heard it helps with mites and such. I would love to have some type of evergreen mixed in so it stays green in the colder months, but I don't know if anything other than pine trees and that won't fit I the box! Any thoughts of what you'd plant? Thanks in advance!

 

[Suzi18]

How about some little boxwoods....you can keep them trimmed back very easily and they stay green all winter

 

[CDA15]

How about some little boxwoods....you can keep them trimmed back very easily and they stay green all winter

Oh that's a great idea! I forgot about boxwood.

 

[Folly's place]

Coneflowers with their seed heads look good all winter, and maybe could survive there with watering. How about sage? Any small grasses? The chickens are going to climb all over these boxes and not help the plants. Russian sage? Mary

 

[CDA15]

The boxes are outside the the coop so the girls can't really get to them

 

[Folly's place]

Nice coop! If the birds get outside to free range, they will be in those boxes. Do the boxes have drainage holes? Daffodils for spring, Mary

 

[CDA15]

Nice coop! If the birds get outside to free range, they will be in those boxes. Do the boxes have drainage holes? Daffodils for spring, Mary

Oh true! Well, I'm not sure how much free ranging they can do with our dog around. But it would be nice for them. We have about an acre and a half. And thank you! Yes my hubs added drain holes. Which drain onto gravel.

This is our yard and the coop is near the garden. The chicks would have a feast if we let them loose!

 

[Folly's place]

Looks wonderful! Chickens are forest critters, and will love your place! They will also rearrange your mulched beds digging for worms and bugs. You will have to manage/ train/ fence your dog, and likely cope with predator issues too. Mary

 

[peckpeckpeck]

The boxes are gorgeous!!
I say Lavender & Thyme which are evergreen & edible, good for respiratory health.
Oregano is supposed to help with cocci. Mint for repelling mice/rats. My girls **love** chocolate mint.
Lemon balm helps ward off mosquitoes.
Nasturtium is a great laying stimulant & de-wormer.
Marigolds are also insect repellent & make yolks turn bright orange with beta carotene
Hope that helps!
Then you can throw any trimmings from these plants to the girls!

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

Your coop and run look lovely! Such a pretty property!
I am not sure that perennials would overwinter in shallow boxes....
Herbs would be nice and nasturtium would add color. Marigolds would be great too.
I don't have too much around my coop right now but in other planters I have thyme, oregano, parsley, rosemary, mint, and basil. I also grow lavender, marigolds, and yarrow for the girls. I'm going to put some of those things in pots and grow them under lights in my basement this winter.
With all the deer, rabbits, and woodchucks we have here a big garden is a real chore so I've downgraded to planters on my deck---when we lived in a less-wildlife-populated area I loved my raised beds and did lots of veggies. I do miss them but not the work involved!
I'm sorry to be a downer here but I do believe daffodils can be toxic to chickens---very pretty (I have tons in my front garden) but might not be a good thing to have near your girls. Okay if they can't get to them, but I wouldn't chance it.
No big veggie garden anymore but this is my herb planter---downsizing in my old age!