Using Chicken Run fence as a trellis for climbing food plants?

[gtaus]

I'm trying for shade ...

That sounds like a good idea. How long do grape vines last?

I planted some strawberries this year, but was told that I need to replace them every 2-3 years. Also, the strawberry plants I have don't get very tall, so not good for shade. I had not thought of using grapes.

 

[3KillerBs]

How long do grape vines last?

Decades.

Some plants in some vineyards are over a century old (though very old vines may not produce well).

 

[gtaus]

Decades.

Some plants in some vineyards are over a century old (though very old vines may not produce well).

Thanks. I'll have to hit YouTube tonight and see what I can learn about growing grapes. I would rather plant once and have fruit/shade for years. Anyway, my pole beans are off to a good start for this year.

 

[lauraschicks]

That sounds like a good idea. How long do grape vines last?

I planted some strawberries this year, but was told that I need to replace them every 2-3 years. Also, the strawberry plants I have don't get very tall, so not good for shade. I had not thought of using ?

Decades...longer...of course they have to be pruned with knowledge . Old wine grape vines can be really, really, really,...old. This is my first attempt to do this, and may not work for production, but for shade with the occasional grape, probably a good chance of at least a few years

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm trying for shade ...

Grapes can get pretty heavy so make sure your fence is sturdy and shore it up if needed.

 

[3KillerBs]

Grapes can get pretty heavy so make sure your fence is sturdy and shore it up if needed.

My muscadine trellis:

Muscadines are commonly grown on a single-wire trellis while Concord-derived grapes are often put on a 2-wire system and French grapes may need even more wires. Anyone wanting to grow grapes should contact their state's Ag Department, which should have publications about growing grapes in that region.

 

[lauraschicks]

Grapes can get pretty heavy so make sure your fence is sturdy and shore it up if needed.

I have a welded wire setup, but will definitely heed your advice as I don't want to hurt my babies.

 

[B-Goock]

Last year I put up a temporary chicken wire fence on the inside of the run leaving about an 18" space between the temporary & permanent fence.
Had pole beans, peas, Swiss chard, lettuce, radish, and some leftover seeds from the year before. Let it grow. Picked what I wanted. Took the temp fence down & said have at it girls.
In the run I have blueberry, beauty berry, juniper and a couple other bushes growing. Only protection for them is rock stepping stones around the base of them so they don't dig up the roots. Established and going on 2nd year.
This year I put some wire cages & planted some hostas to get established. Some lettuces, radish, and other greens are already available for them.

 

[gtaus]

Last year I put up a temporary chicken wire fence on the inside of the run leaving about an 18" space between the temporary & permanent fence.
Had pole beans, peas, Swiss chard, lettuce, radish, and some leftover seeds from the year before. Let it grow. Picked what I wanted. Took the temp fence down & said have at it girls.

Sounds like a good plan. I planted my pole beans on the outside of the chicken run, but had to put up a temporary fence around the plants to protect them from rabbits in the yard. I suppose I could have just as easily done that on the inside of the chicken run.

 

[Sally PB]

@gtaus, your chickens have a lovely run! Great job and you have lucky chickens!