[Totty]

Hi all,

I have just finished building the new super chicken coop on my plot and was planning to grow a climber all over one end of it. The panel i want to cover is 6ft high and 11ft long.

Problem is, i was hoping to grow either ivy or hops or a fast growing clematis over it to create a type of living windbreak screen so that the large metal mesh panel is not such an eyesore, and protect the chooks from the wind. But in an effort to stop foxes being able to get in, i have sunk slabs around the perimeter to ground level, thus making it impossible to plant my natural windbreak into the ground.

I am growing hops this year to cover it, so can i grow them in pots? and any ideas about a permanent solution as to what to grow there would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Totty

[Springlands]

I would like to do something similar - but I just know that my chooks would spend all day eating what ever I was trying to grow up the fence. I think that that is something that you might have to take into account. Also you would have to ensure that what ever you planted would not be poisonous. 

[New shoot]

My run is next to a wall which has ivy growing up it.  The ivy grows into the run and the chicks have a half-hearted peck now and then, but generally leave it alone.  It hasn't caused any issues. 

Climbers will grow in pots but a big fast growing one will need a big pot or it will be drying out every 5 minutes.  Deep pots are usually better than wide shallow ones for this. Maybe you could make a mini raised extra deep bed next to the run and grow in this 

[Totty]

Yeah i did think that about the ivy, the bottom 3ft has wind break mesh on it and whatever i grow, the chicks wont be able to get at below this height. What sort of depth pots are recomended for fast growing plants as stated above and how many to cover the area?

[Yorkie]

If you are talking about very vigorous plants such as mile-a-minute clematis, I'd suggest pots no smaller than 12-18" wide and deep

[Totty]

That would be fine, would two ot those cover my 11x6ft panel, and are they evergreen as the chooks need wind protection most during winter?

[New shoot]

Of the plants you mention, only the ivy is evergreen.  There is an evergreen clematis called Clematis Armandii that is relatively fast growing, but not as fast as the Montanas which lose their leaves in winter.