PROTECTING THE GARDEN

Do you have helpers in your garden ?

" I see you have been out in your garden", visitors say as they comment on the raked areas throughout our flower beds and raised bed garden. 

But it wasn't me, it was them! My helpers.

But there comes a time that I need to say, Thank you but no more! No more eating the earthworms and other beneficials deep in the soil of the garden. 


I fill up the raised beds with our rich compost. . . 

 and then protect it from the chickens.


 I lay chicken wire, or other wire I have on hand, over each raised bed and secure it with a rock, heavy branch, or piece of lumber. 

The hens will still try but will be easily discouraged and move on their way.

Once I start planting, I set up a temporary fence so they can't get in the garden at all, but for now it's just the raised beds I protect.
  
I'm not willing to keep my chickens from free-ranging throughout our land, so there are extra steps I need to take to protect our plantings. 

A tip when putting in transplants, in an area that is not fenced in, is to surround the actual plant with rocks, right up to its stem. Flat rocks work best.


I learned the hard way. All my transplants were tipped upside down, with roots facing the sky, as the chickens made their way through the yard. Something had to be done.


The rocks protect the plant from the hens scratching. They still can scratch nearby but the transplants stay in place. Once the plants grow and their roots are secure in the soil, the rocks can be removed and growth can continue.

happy day! happy gardening!

Linking up to BARN HOP #5

and 

 Hearth and Soul Hop