Chickens in the Garden

It has been an unusual summer here in Northwest Arkansas 2013. In late July and early August we have had rain almost every day.  While this should be good for the garden, it also means cooler temperatures and less sunlight, which are not good for the garden.  This after a record hot dry summer last year.  This year I allowed grass to grow in the pathways of my raised bed garden.  I did it for a reason.

This spring I purchased some chickens.  I built a chicken coop beside my garden and in the process of putting a run all the way around my garden.  I have fewer bugs this year.  I hope it is because my plan is working.  (I think I need a martin house to get rid of the mosquitoes!)   My plan is to put the chickens in the garden this winter to "fertilize" it, pick out the larva of harmful bugs, and to eat all the grass.  We'll see how that worked out in the spring.

Linda Rigsbee