Summer is almost upon us. My daughter and I today took a trip to the local garden center to purchase more herbs for our herb garden and our chickens. This year, we have decided to place the herb garden in the mulched beds around and near the chicken coop.
Chickens if left to their own devices can make a mess out of your gardens and perennials when they are free ranging. Along with eating weeds, they will eat your prized plants too. So, I thought to myself, why not relocate the herb garden near the chicken coop where, I will not mind if they munch on the plants.
When I cook with fresh herbs, I love to wander outside and snip them fresh from the plant. I love having perennial gardens. Typically, I interlace my herbs into those beds and amongst the vegetable garden. Scattered amongst the perennials, the herbs create texture and interesting foliage.
With the help of searching the internet and my blogger friends, I was able to expand this year's selection for the chickens. Near the chickens' coop, the chicken herb garden will include basil, parsley, fennel, thyme, cilantro, nasturtium, rosemary, lavender and marjoram. I am still hunting for a few others.
If you do not have room in your yard or are short on time, you can still create an herb garden for you and your feathered family members. It is easy to create a container garden with fresh herbs. Sometimes, you can even find them premade at your local garden center. That way, your container garden is mobile. You can move it from the deck to the kitchen in one swoop. Take it with you to a friend's house if you are cooking together for a party. You can even place it into your chickens' run for a short period of time and let them enjoy! The great thing about herbs is that they will continue to grow back this entire summer season.
Photo Credits: Tilly's Nest
Wow.. it will be a great herb garden! Your girls are very lucky!
ReplyDeleteMuch thanks to you Anne! Thank you for your terrific recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI love fresh herbs but I HATE hardware cloth!!
ReplyDeleteYes Debra, it can be nasty stuff. But is great against predators! It will all be worth it. Try long sleeves and thick gardening gloves. Hang in there!!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog on Farmgirl Fri. Love your blog. I, too, am a chicken lover! And I love reading other blogs about chicken mothers. I am now following your blog. Thanks for sharing. 8>)
ReplyDeletei have found the girls LOVE cilantro and marigolds. My 2 year old planted me a marigold for mothers day and my chickens got loose and ate all the leaves off. nothing left but the stems :0)
ReplyDeleteMaybe they thought that they were the Mother's! They definitely know when they like something! Thanks for the tips too Georgia!~Melissa
ReplyDeletei too am going to plant an herb garden for my ladies this year. i love perrenials, so any perrenial you can suggest are greatly appreciated. thanks for your help:)
ReplyDeletelisa