Greenhouse Plants

[HensAloud]

I have a polytunnel which has been great, but what I want to do is grow something in the greenhouse that can be left there and allow access for the hens. The only thing I can think of is grapes, does anyone know a good variety ? Or any other ideas.

[Dave]

Not sure,who, what,when or where
But I thought I heard or read somewhere that grapes are not good for chooks

Now stand back and get ready to get put in my place

[Maggie1]

Chickens love grapes. In fact they eat most anything, so I wouldn't even attempt putting the 2 in either a polytunnel or greenhouse.

[HensAloud]

Thankyou, so back to the drawing board any ideas ?

[Totally Scrambled]

If you want them to have use of the greenhouse over winter but wanted to keep some type of plant in there as well could you not restrict them to ground level by screening off the staging so that they couldn't hop up there?
Dom
PS If you wanted a vine in there you could make sure they couldn't get anywhere near the roots and screen off the staging so that they couldn't get near the leaves or stems.

[HensAloud]

I did think I would fence off the stem and root bits like in an open bottomed pot. I've also considered a fig tree but they don't necessarily need to be inside...... Or do they ?

[Maggie1]

A fig tree is best outside. Also if you do get one, limit the root growth by digging a hole and line with bricks or crocks. This limits the root growth and encourages them to fruit. Otherwise you'll just just get foliage and no fruit. Its a good idea to start them off in a pot, that really limits the roots and when it gets to big transfer it to the garden.
I tried a peach tree in my polytunnel but it just took over. It was in a tub. When I tried moving it the roots had grown out of the bottom into the ground.

[HensAloud]

Did you get any peaches though Maggie ?

[Maggie1]

We got 1 but it got to a small size and then dropped off. But the foliage just took over.

[Dave]

Now stand back and get ready to get put in my place

I now stand corrected

[HensAloud]

Now stand back and get ready to get put in my place

I now stand corrected

How about redeeming yourself with a helpful suggestion ?

[Dave]

If it's green

They will eat it

[HensAloud]

If it's green

They will eat it

Hummmm very accurate advice

[HensAloud]

Well I'm now the proud owner of .......drum roll please ..... a two leaved lemon errrm plant, it's not big enough for tree status ! I got it cheap, mainly cos it looked half dead. It will be installed in the greenhouse and fenced off, given loads of tlc, should get a lemon in oooo about ten years !

[KarenE]

Hi HensAloud

I've got a little lemon in my greenhouse too, it started off as a 2 leaved thing and has really shot up over the last 2 years. I figure i should get a fruit in about 5 years . The girls don't bother with it, except to peck the soil when I've just watered it.

Last year I grew tomatoes in my greenhouse - mixed success crop wise but the chickens didn't disturb them at all. I fenced them off with that white picket fencing stuff and the girls really didn't seem to care, especially once they were tall enough to be out of their way. They didn't even try to eat the fruits. As long as they were clear for dust bathing, that's all they were interested in.

The other thing i do is grow cucs, sweet peppers, aubergines and the like in pots on shelving, so it's safe out of the way too - could you do that?