One of my core philosophies here is to try a new thing every season. It keeps us learning, keeps the garden adaptable, and, most importantly, keeps us one step ahead of our five feathered garden “inspectors.” This year, we’re taking our planting to new heights, literally, with a 5-piece Mr. Stacky vertical unit. Here is the blueprint for our latest urban homestead experiment:
The “Chicken-Proof” Hierarchy?
<insert>LAUGH</insert>
We’ve designed the tower to work with (and against) our chickens.
-
- The Ground Level: We’re starting with Early Scarlet Globe Radishes. While they are a cool-season staple, we know the chickens have a taste for them, so we’re treating this tier as a “test of will” to see if the vertical pockets provide enough of a hurdle.
- The Aromatic Layer: Above the radishes, we’re nesting Cilantro. It’s a hardy spring herb that we hope stays just out of “snack range.”
- The High Ground: The middle two tiers are dedicated to Lacinato (Dino) Kale. By placing these at chest-height for a human, we’re putting these leafy greens well above the reach of our curious hens.
- The Crown Jewel: My wife has claimed the top tier for Strawberries. We’ll be looking for bare-root starts soon to tuck into the summit, keeping the berries safe and clean as they cascade down.
In Zone 6b, the late early April air is still crisp, but this vertical setup allows the soil to warm up faster than the ground, giving our “cool-season” experiment a head start. Stay tuned to see if the chickens find a way to jump for the kale, or if the Mr. Stacky finally gives us the height advantage we need!