What do you grow to feed the chickens??

[Arielle]

DOnt forget after your family and chickens have had their fill, there is a food pantry or a needy family.. Just walk into a local church and talk to the pastor/minister, they know who the people in need are. Also consider the elderly, they too are often short on fresh vegies.

FOrtunately we have a bit of lawn, but it has either been a garden or grass for pature. lol Between horses, sheep and now the duck/chickens, they need the grasses. Multi use area!!

 

[LindaB220]

Well, my no garden this year was a real bummer. But I have plenty of time to do a little fall gardening. The big 30'x50' patch that I had tilled in the spring and wasn't able to plant went by the way. My next door neighbor Freida went to a nursing home and gave me permission to do anything I wanted with the garden. However, gson moved in and made it plain that maybe they will be gardening next year. But that's alright, I have plenty of room on my 2/3 acre for containers. I tried to do a 4' x 4' raised garden but the fire ants said no and wouldn't leave so I tore it apart. I'll do dish pans with an inch or so of water and a canvas bag of potting mix. Each blue Walmarts tote will hold a couple or so of good sized plants. And the ants can't get to them over the water.

 

[Arielle]

Well, my no garden this year was a real bummer. But I have plenty of time to do a little fall gardening. The big 30'x50' patch that I had tilled in the spring and wasn't able to plant went by the way. My next door neighbor Freida went to a nursing home and gave me permission to do anything I wanted with the garden. However, gson moved in and made it plain that maybe they will be gardening next year. But that's alright, I have plenty of room on my 2/3 acre for containers. I tried to do a 4' x 4' raised garden but the fire ants said no and wouldn't leave so I tore it apart. I'll do dish pans with an inch or so of water and a canvas bag of potting mix. Each blue Walmarts tote will hold a couple or so of good sized plants. And the ants can't get to them over the water.

Gosh LInda the fire ants are a real challenge. Stupidly I didnt realize they were that kind of problem. I thought they stayed home-- guess not being ants, they scout for food anywhere.

Howdoes the 30x 50 hold up to the ants??

Working together is not his strong suit-- maybe you can work on him over the winter laying out the garden and selecting varieites. OTherwise . . I have kids and you know, I would be telling Gson, that "he is welcome to a section but as I did the prep work, I get the majority of the plot." THink of all the vegies you can grow for your birds !!

 

[chickadoodles]

Well, my no garden this year was a real bummer. But I have plenty of time to do a little fall gardening. The big 30'x50' patch that I had tilled in the spring and wasn't able to plant went by the way. My next door neighbor Freida went to a nursing home and gave me permission to do anything I wanted with the garden. However, gson moved in and made it plain that maybe they will be gardening next year. But that's alright, I have plenty of room on my 2/3 acre for containers. I tried to do a 4' x 4' raised garden but the fire ants said no and wouldn't leave so I tore it apart. I'll do dish pans with an inch or so of water and a canvas bag of potting mix. Each blue Walmarts tote will hold a couple or so of good sized plants. And the ants can't get to them over the water.

Linda, last year I had to make some raised beds due to the fact I cannot bend over. So DH made me some raised beds that are 4x8 and they are waist high made out of free pallets filled with potting soil. I love them I can cram a bunch of vegies in it! I planted lettuce, tomato, cuc's, bell pepper, and a squash plant in one. If you can get someone to help you they are not hard to make. With the bottom off the ground you can sprinkle 7 dust under it to run the ants off it helps.

 

[LindaB220]

Gosh LInda the fire ants are a real challenge. Stupidly I didnt realize they were that kind of problem. I thought they stayed home-- guess not being ants, they scout for food anywhere.

Howdoes the 30x 50 hold up to the ants??

Working together is not his strong suit-- maybe you can work on him over the winter laying out the garden and selecting varieites. OTherwise . . I have kids and you know, I would be telling Gson, that "he is welcome to a section but as I did the prep work, I get the majority of the plot." THink of all the vegies you can grow for your birds !!

Sorry, I misspoke, not my grandson, the neighbors. He has taken over her house and the agreement between Freida and I is gone. Period. But I just didn't have the stamina to do the big gardening. But I have the room to do several small plots of container gardening. Fire ants get into everything. That's why I was thinking of sitting the containers in tubs of water.

 

[LindaB220]

Linda, last year I had to make some raised beds due to the fact I cannot bend over. So DH made me some raised beds that are 4x8 and they are waist high made out of free pallets filled with potting soil. I love them I can cram a bunch of vegies in it! I planted lettuce, tomato, cuc's, bell pepper, and a squash plant in one. If you can get someone to help you they are not hard to make. With the bottom off the ground you can sprinkle 7 dust under it to run the ants off it helps.

This is a good idea. Maybe next spring. I don't have a hubby to make things so I have to save for a handyman. It's really a handy thought. I'll have to make arrangements. How many inches of potting soil do you put into it? I have 5 of the small 4' x 4' raised bed kits (still in the box, ha)

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: I used 4 large bags of potting soil for one. On the bottom don't put the boards to close to each other as you need drainage.
Can you take the kits back? or re-design them to get them off the ground by putting a bottom and legs on them? I left a couple of inches from the top of the bed so that the soil does not wash out. I will look for one of the pics I have and show it to you.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Linda never too late to learn if you are inclined to tackle such things.

Other wise be opportunistic. I like to get out on trash day and look for items I need. Especially in the spring I can find big panting pots. Use you rimagination,a dn you will see many possiblities. Eclectic is the new modern style. lol

 

[chickadoodles]

Linda I am kind of embarrassed because my plants all died and we need to weed eat but here it is.

 

[LindaB220]

I used 4 large bags of potting soil for one. On the bottom don't put the boards to close to each other as you need drainage.
Can you take the kits back? or re-design them to get them off the ground by putting a bottom and legs on them? I left a couple of inches from the top of the bed so that the soil does not wash out. I will look for one of the pics I have and show it to you.

I was thinking about the legs and bottom of a coop. 4'x8' and put 2 of the kits together. This could work. The seven dust will be essential. Thanks a lot.