I just realized I haven’t done a chicken coop update in a while.
There are some changes coming to the coop, but I wanted to show you how the roof is coming along.
Let’s travel back in time to late winter when the coop was being built.
Late winter
I planted the roof in April
April
And here it is in July filling in quite nicely.
July
I swore I was not going to make any more flower beds, but this coop is begging for one (well, probably two) and maybe even some window boxes.
Do I need another intervention?
Or more ibuprofen?
We have been blessed with several days of rain and decent temperatures and the flowers are looking beautiful.
One flower that has caught my eye is Amish Cockscomb.
This is an heirloom flower I have saved seeds from for years. It is an annual and gets about 12 inches tall, but still has the velvety texture and look of the larger cockscomb variety.
I planted it with some old-fashioned petunias and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
I also wanted to share a way to mark newly planted perennials.
I start most of my perennials from seed. Typically, the first year the plant only stays about a foot tall. I never know how a new plant will react in my garden. If it is late to emerge the following spring, there is an excellent chance I will accidentally plant over it. So, to mark my plants, I place golf tees around the plant.
golf tees around parsley
My bronze fennel is becoming very popular with the Swallowtail butterflies. Fennel, parsley, and dill are all host plants for this butterfly.
Bronze fennel (left)
Butterflies are very particular where they lay their eggs. They only lay eggs on plants the caterpillars will eat. This makes that certain plant a host plant.
Monarchs will not lay their eggs on these plants.
swallowtail caterpillar
Monarchs will lay their eggs only on Asclepias species (aka butterfly weed). You will not find a swallowtail caterpillar munching on this plant.
Asclepias tuberosa
The down side to all the rain and storms is this.
My poor redbud tree!
But hubby came to the rescue with his handy electrical tape and some zip ties and put my tree back together again.
redbud surgery went well
Thanks, Al!
Disclaimer: More than likely this won’t work. But it did work in the late ’60’s when I ran into our apple tree with my bike. The tree split just like this and my dad performed this technique and the tree lived for many years after that.
Never hurts to try.
Speaking of my dad, he also made a contribution to my chicken coop.
What would I do without the men in my life?
Have a great weekend!
Brenda
Everything looks great, Brenda! I saw a Spicebush Swallowtail laying eggs on my bronze fennel about a week ago, but haven’t seen any caterpillars yet…we’re watching!
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I’ve just noticed more here recently. No monarchs yet, but I usually don’t get them until the end of August.
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I love your post! Most enjoyable. Stock up on ibuprofen next time you run errands!!
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Thanks for visiting! and yes, ibuprofen is my friend!
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I think window boxes would look great! Super cute coop!
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Thanks! I do, too 🙂
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I love the golf tee idea, they’re so much nicer than having plastic plant markers everywhere! Sorry about your redbud and I hope that the surgery is successful! Your dad is a funny man!
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The golf tees have helped me more than once. and yes, my dad is a piece of work!
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The coop is really nice! Enjoyed this entry so much, and all the lovely photos. 🙂
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Thanks! There is more exciting developments for the coop coming up….
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Just how many flower beds do you have? I need the facts before I make a decision on the intervention. 🙂 I discovered a new bush last year that, to me, is drop dead gorgeous. It’s called Firebush. It has green leaves and funky looking orange blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Zones 8-10. What zone you live in? Or you could plant some red azaleas or rhododendrons to coordinate with the red door.
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Girl, I have 8 flower beds! I’m truly out of control. The Firebush sounds interesting but I am zone 7. I really haven’t even thought about plants for the coop at this point. I am doing some more work on it and can’t wait to show everyone when I’m done.
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Shame about the Firebush. Lissen, your blog needs a search button. I wanted to search for bronze fennel to see if you had written anything about it. I’ve never heard of it. Wanted to know what you were DOING with it cuz I think it’s an herb.
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Thanks. I’ll check into the search feature. Fennel is an herb. Very easy to start from seed , perennial but can spread. Very beautiful though
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And I don’t do anything with it. I don’t like the smell! (Smells like licorice)
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Nice chicken coop! I’m curious about the living roof you have. What do you plant in it? Does it drain if you get too much rain?
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I planted various sedums and rose moss for color. I do have a drain so excess water can come out. Thanks for visiting my blog!
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All looks good…I am waiting fro swallowtails to use the fennel, dill or parsley.
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loving the living roof on the chicken coop – what have you planted up there? And a yes from me for window boxes 🙂
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I have a variety of sedums planted. ONe that does very well for me is Sedum ‘Angelina’ also, sedum ‘voodoo’ and sedum ‘blue spruce'(?) not sure that’s the right name. Also, for color I planted portulaca which may or may not come back next year but is doing well this year.
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