It’s that time of the year again. The time when your garlic should be in the ground ready to sprout in spring. We’ve been having a cold spell this fall. There have been several days with snow. I’ve been preparing to plant the garlic, but something always came up. It seems that the snow knew when I had time to plant the garden. Every time I was ready and had time set aside it would snow. I know you are probably thinking “why didn’t you check the weather forecast?” Well, we are in Kansas! That may not mean much to most. Those who live hear know that the weather is always changing. One second you have a coat on and the next it’s warm. Today we had a lovely day. This will be the last warm day until spring. I gathered my garden tools and garlic bulbs. Excitedly I made my way, selected my planting location and began my task.Being a wonderfully warm day, I let the chickens out to roam. It had been a while since I let them out. There have been too many predators on the prowl to let them out lacking proper supervision and it is too cold for me to go out and supervise. As soon as I did, they were knee deep in my business! I was reminded that even in fall when planting for next year, I must properly prepare for chicken shenanigans. This is essential whenever you have chickens and a garden.I wanted to share how I have been able to have both.Crazy Weather
First you must try and keep them away. Unless you block off the area or keep them in there coop you will fail.
Next, plant those bulbs quickly because they look interesting and delicious to the chickens.
Lastly, you need to protect the area from being dug up.
The moment you start moving anything around especially dirt, the chickens will come looking for bugs and worms. As you fail to keep them back, just remember to work fast. Watch out below. Be careful not to step on them. Once all planting is done quickly cover the row with a plank or wire mesh. A plank will keep the chickens from digging but if you don’t cover the whole area, they will dig around it and eventually under it. It will prevent water from entering but that will also insulate against snow.
A wire mesh will keep them from digging up the garlic and allow sunshine and water/snow to get through. If, however that garlic starts to sprout it will grow through the mesh. Make sure if you do that the mesh has holes wide enough allow it to grow unencumbered.
