Gardening with Free-Range Chickens For Dummies
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A damp or wet area is problematic in a chicken garden because chickens don’t do well with continual dampness, and it can create a large unwanted muddy area where nothing will grow. The following plants are good choices for damp areas:

Alder trees

Alder trees

Alnus. Deciduous trees. Zones vary by species. These nitrogen-fixing trees like ample water and can tolerate flooding. They can reach heights of 40 to 70 feet depending on variety.

Cyperus

Cyperus

Cyperus. Perennial. Zones vary by species. Graceful grass-like plants with striking form. Can be invasive.

Gunnera

Gunnera

Gunnera tinctoria. Perennials. Hardy to Zone 8, can be nurtured in Zones 6 and 7. Striking, colossal, stunning leaves.

Horsetail

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale. Perennial. Zones 7–10. It is a very primitive, structure plant with 4′ upright slender hollow stems. It can be extremely invasive. Horsetail is mildly toxic to chickens.

Willow trees

Willow trees

Salix. Deciduous trees. Zones vary by species. Stunning, weeping trees that are fast-growing, yet can be weak-wooded and short lived. Thrive near water, but don’t plant near sewer lines.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Bonnie Jo Manion has been featured in national garden magazines with her gardens, organic practices, chickens, and designs. Follow Bonnie at VintageGardenGal.com. Rob Ludlow is the owner of BackYardChickens.com, a top source on chicken raising, and the coauthor of Raising Chickens For Dummies.

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