I learned the hard way during my first flock season that chickens will turn an unprotected patch of soil into a crater in forty-eight hours. My first attempts at planting inside the run looked like a small disaster.
This is my tested list of plants that actually survive around hens, keep the coop smelling clean, and give your birds fresh greens to peck.
All safe. All practical. All worth planting.
Quick Summary
- 32 chicken-safe herbs, forage greens, berry bushes, and shade shrubs tested for backyard runs.
- Covers tough plants for inside the enclosure and perimeter plantings across Zones 3-10.
- Best starter pick: Rosemary, because its tough woody base and pungent aromatic oils stop hens from pecking it to death.
The first eight are woody and aromatic herbs that naturally deter insects and handle curious beaks. The middle groups give your birds high-protein forage, and the final shrubs provide summer shade and sweet berry drops.
1. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low, drought-tolerant once established |
| Height | 3-5 ft (90-150 cm) |
| Zone | 7-10 (overwinter indoors in colder zones) |
| Chicken Role | Pest repellent, woody structure, coop freshener |
Rosemary is my absolute favorite foundation shrub for the sunny corner of a run.
The thick, resinous oils make the needle-like leaves far too strong for chickens to strip bare.
Once the base turns woody after its first season, hens can dust-bathe around the roots without snapping the main stems.
I like to snip a few sprigs every Sunday when cleaning out the nesting boxes to keep the coop smelling fresh.
If you need extra plants for your run perimeter, check out my guide on how to propagate rosemary in August from simple branch cuttings.
Tip: Pile a few large fieldstones around the base of a young start so curious feet cannot scratch up the shallow root ball.
2. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low, needs sharp drainage |
| Height | 18-24 in (45-60 cm) |
| Zone | 5-9 |
| Chicken Role | Aromatic calming herb, natural fly deterrent |
Lavender turns the edge of an enclosure from a messy dirt trench into a fragrant garden border.
Chickens leave the silver-grey foliage alone because they do not care for the intense floral fragrance.
The blooms draw honeybees while helping push flies and gnats away from the coop entrance.
I dry the cut flower spikes each summer and toss them straight into the hen house bedding.
Note: Lavender hates standing water, so plant it on a slight mound if your run gets muddy after storms.
3. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Medium to high |
| Height | 12-24 in (30-60 cm) |
| Zone | 3-9 |
| Chicken Role | Rodent deterrent, cooling summer scent, tough ground cover |
Mint is practically indestructible, which makes it an ideal opponent for a flock of hungry hens.
The strong menthol scent is famous among poultry keepers for discouraging mice from scouting around the feed bins.
Chickens will occasionally nibble the top leaves, but the aggressive underground runners keep pushing up new growth faster than birds can eat it.
I plant mine along the exterior fence line where the run runoff keeps the soil damp.
Warning: Keep mint outside your vegetable garden beds because it will spread everywhere without asking permission.
4. Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low to moderate |
| Height | 12-18 in (30-45 cm) |
| Zone | 4-9 |
| Chicken Role | Natural immune support, pecking greens, ground stabilizer |
Commercial poultry studies have long pointed to oregano oil as a natural support for avian respiratory and digestive health.
Hens enjoy snacking on the peppery leaves, but an established clump handles regular browsing without skipping a beat.
It forms a creeping woody mat that prevents soil erosion along sloped run edges.
I chop fresh bundles during wet spring months and hang them upside down in the run for boredom-busting treats.
Simple to grow. Tough as nails.
5. Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low, tolerates lean dry soil |
| Height | 6-12 in (15-30 cm) |
| Zone | 5-9 |
| Chicken Role | Antiseptic coop herb, low-growing living mulch |
Thyme stays low to the ground and hugs rocky path edges where taller perennials get knocked over.
The woody stems stay rooted even when heavy birds step right on top of the cushion.
It carries natural thymol, which works as a mild antiseptic when bruised underfoot.
Plant it in gravelly dirt right beside the human gate where shoes brush the leaves every morning.
6. Common Sage (Salvia officinalis)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low once rooted |
| Height | 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) |
| Zone | 4-8 |
| Chicken Role | Sturdy evergreen barrier, seasonal herbal treat |
Sage has pebbled, leathery grey leaves that hold up to chicken curiosity better than tender salad greens.
Hens might take a test peck in early spring, but the bitter camphor flavor generally sends them looking for bugs elsewhere.
By year two, the shrub develops a thick woody trunk that resists digging.
I prune mine back by one third after flowering to keep the center from getting bare and woody.
7. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
| Sun | Part shade to full sun |
| Water | Medium |
| Height | 18-24 in (45-60 cm) |
| Zone | 4-9 |
| Chicken Role | Citronella mosquito repellent, vigorous green cover |
If you struggle with summer mosquitoes and gnats hanging around your water founts, lemon balm is your best friend.
The bright green leaves release a burst of pure lemon scent whenever birds brush against the branches.
It bounces back from aggressive scratching better than almost any member of the mint family.
I share my full list of benefits in my article on 12 reasons you should start growing lemon balm for everyday home gardens.
Tip: Cut the flower stems before they set seed unless you want lemon balm sprouting across your entire yard.
8. Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii)
| Sun | Full sun to part sun |
| Water | Low, thrives in lean dirt |
| Height | 18-30 in (45-75 cm) |
| Zone | 3-8 |
| Chicken Role | Resilient border perennial, continuous blooms |
Catmint produces huge billowy clouds of soft lavender flowers from May right through October.
While cats roll in it, chickens simply enjoy lounging beneath the dense dome on hot afternoons.
Even if an enthusiastic hen decides to make a dust bowl right beside the root crown, the plant rarely sulks.
Shear it back by half in midsummer when the blooms fade, and it will push out a fresh green blanket in two weeks.
9. White Clover (Trifolium repens)
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Moderate |
| Height | 4-8 in (10-20 cm) |
| Zone | 3-10 |
| Chicken Role | High-protein forage, nitrogen-fixing living carpet |
White clover is the gold standard for chicken grazing.
The leaves contain up to 28% crude protein, which supports consistent egg production and silky feather regrowth during molting season.
It fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, keeping the run earth healthier beneath all that poultry manure.
To keep the flock from scratching the roots to pieces, build a simple four-inch wooden frame covered with half-inch hardware cloth right over your clover patch.
The clover shoots grow right up through the wire mesh where the hens peck the tips, but the roots remain completely safe underneath.
A true backyard grazing staple.
10. Russian Comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum ‘Bocking 14’)
| Sun | Full sun to dappled shade |
| Water | Moderate to high |
| Height | 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) |
| Zone | 3-9 |
| Chicken Role | Mineral-packed green fodder, rapid biomass |
Permaculture growers call comfrey a nutrient pump, and for good reason.
Its deep taproot plunges up to ten feet into the ground, mining calcium, potassium, and trace minerals from deep subsoil.
Chickens adore the broad, hairy leaves, which break down into high-potassium mulch inside the run.
Always plant the sterile ‘Bocking 14’ cultivar so it will not scatter nuisance seeds into your lawn.
Tip: Plant comfrey right along the outside fence of your run so hens can pick off leaves that press against the wire.
11. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Water | Low, extremely resilient |
| Height | 6-12 in (15-30 cm) |
| Zone | 3-10 |
| Chicken Role | Free vitamin-dense superfood, deep taproot aeration |
Most homeowners spend weekends spraying dandelions, while chicken keepers intentionally sow them.
Every single part of this wild perennial is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, along with bioavailable iron.
The bright yellow blossoms contain yellow xanthophylls that turn pale supermarket egg yolks into rich, golden orbs.
The deep taproot aerates compacted clay runs and regrows fresh green rosettes even after birds peck it flat.
Stop pulling them out. Throw them to your flock instead.
12. Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)
| Sun | Part shade to full shade |
| Water | Medium to moist |
| Height | 4-8 in (10-20 cm) |
| Zone | 4-11 |
| Chicken Role | Cool-weather tender greens, named after poultry |
Old-timers did not call this plant chickweed by accident.
It forms a lush, succulent green blanket during the cool days of early spring and late autumn when other garden greens go dormant.
The tender stems are juicy, easy to digest, and packed with magnesium and potassium.
I let a thick carpet fill the damp shade corners behind the coop where it thrives without any fertilizing.
13. Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris)
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Medium |
| Height | 16-24 in (40-60 cm) |
| Zone | Annual / Biennial (Zones 2-11) |
| Chicken Role | Cut-and-come-again flock salad bar, heat tolerant |
Swiss chard provides crisp, vitamin-rich greens all summer long without bolting like regular spinach.
Grow it in a raised planter box mounted three feet high on the outside wall of your chicken run.
Whenever you walk by to collect eggs, snap off three or four outer stalks and push them through the wire mesh.
Hens will strip the tender leaves clean down to the crunchy rib within minutes.
The plant immediately begins growing fresh leaves from the center crown.
14. Lacinato Dinosaur Kale (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Medium, consistent moisture |
| Height | 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) |
| Zone | Biennial / Hardy in Zones 6-10 |
| Chicken Role | Winter green supply, cold-hardy nutrition |
When winter frosts wipe out summer grasses, dinosaur kale stands tall and keeps producing.
The crinkled blue-green leaves actually taste sweeter after a couple of freezing nights.
Because the central stalk becomes woody and palm-like as it grows, birds cannot easily topple the plant.
I protect the base with wire netting until the stem reaches fifteen inches tall, then let the flock browse the bottom tier.
15. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low once rooted, very drought-hardy |
| Height | 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) |
| Zone | 3-9 |
| Chicken Role | High-protein legume, winter hay alternative |
Alfalfa is a legume powerhouse that livestock producers have trusted for generations.
It contains around 18% to 20% crude protein, plus rich supplies of beta-carotene and vitamin E.
Because alfalfa puts down deep root systems, it survives summer dry spells that turn standard turfgrass brown and brittle.
Sow it in a rotational pen or behind an exterior fence line, scything down armfuls to toss into the run every week.
16. Sprouted Barley Grass (Hordeum vulgare)
| Sun | Full sun to bright indirect light |
| Water | Daily misting |
| Height | 4-6 in (10-15 cm) |
| Zone | Grown as fodder in all zones |
| Chicken Role | Year-round live enzymes, indoor fodder mats |
A flock with access to living green shoots stays calm, active, and lays eggs with yolks you can stand a fork in.
Sprouted grains are my secret weapon for beating the winter blues in the coop.
Soak whole barley seeds in water for twelve hours, spread them in shallow seed trays, and keep them moist.
Within seven to nine days, you get a thick green turf mat held together by a dense root system.
Drop the entire tray into the run.
The hens will spend the next three hours tearing through the grass blades, seeds, and sprouted roots.
Pure flock excitement.
17. French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low to moderate |
| Height | 8-16 in (20-40 cm) |
| Zone | Annual (Zones 2-11) |
| Chicken Role | Lutein yolk coloring, pest deterrent, bright companion |
Commercial egg brands spend thousands on lutein supplements, but you can get that vibrant deep orange yolk color right from marigolds.
Marigold petals are concentrated storehouses of carotenoids and lutein that transfer directly into egg yolks.
The pungent foliage deters garden nematodes, beetles, and nuisance flies around the coop apron.
I plant a double row in wooden troughs securely attached to the outside perimeter fencing.
Whenever blossoms fade, I pop them off and drop them straight to the hens for an afternoon snack.
18. Mammoth Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Medium |
| Height | 8-12 ft (2.4-3.6 m) |
| Zone | Annual (Zones 2-11) |
| Chicken Role | High shade canopy, protein-rich fall seeds |
Sunflowers are an absolute must-grow around any sunny poultry enclosure.
Plant them six inches outside the south or west fencing of your run in late spring.
By July, the giant leaves cast deep cooling shade over the hot wire, protecting hens from heat stress during midday.
Come September, cut the dinner-plate-sized flower heads and hang them upside down inside the run.
The nutrient-rich black oil seeds provide natural fats and protein that fuel healthy fall molting.
19. Garden Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
| Sun | Full sun to light shade |
| Water | Low to medium |
| Height | 12 in tall, trails 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) |
| Zone | Annual (Zones 2-11) |
| Chicken Role | Antiseptic pecking treats, natural pest trap |
Nasturtiums are entirely edible from their round lily-pad leaves to their brilliant orange and yellow blossoms.
The leaves contain natural glucosinolates with mild antibacterial and antiparasitic properties that support general gut health.
They trail aggressively over fences, creating green vertical screening that hens love to peck at through the mesh.
They thrive in poor, neglected soil where heavy fertilizers would actually reduce their flowering.
Note: Plant seeds directly into the dirt after the last frost because nasturtium roots do not enjoy being transplanted.
20. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low, drought-tolerant |
| Height | 2-4 ft (60-120 cm) |
| Zone | 3-9 |
| Chicken Role | Immune-boosting seeds, tough architectural perennial |
Coneflowers are renowned for stimulating the immune system in both people and poultry.
The bristly spiky central cones protect the seed head from being immediately obliterated by curious beaks.
Hens will gently pluck off the outer petals, but the stiff central stalk remains standing through rough storms.
I leave the dried seed heads standing into late autumn so birds can forage the nutritious seeds on sunny mornings.
21. German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
| Sun | Full sun to light shade |
| Water | Medium |
| Height | 12-24 in (30-60 cm) |
| Zone | Annual that reseeds reliably (Zones 2-9) |
| Chicken Role | Calming coop aroma, gentle digestion support |
Chamomile has a sweet, crisp apple fragrance that instantly softens strong coop odors.
The tiny daisy-like flowers contain apigenin, an antioxidant known for its soothing and calming effects on living tissue.
I scatter seeds along the perimeter path every spring and let them reseed naturally in the gravel.
Toss fresh cuttings into the nesting boxes to encourage broody hens to stay relaxed on their clutches.
It self-seeds freely, similar to the plants I feature in my guide to 11 self-seeding flowers for effortless seasonal color.
22. Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
| Sun | Partial shade to dappled shade |
| Water | Medium, enjoys woodland soil |
| Height | 4-8 in (10-20 cm) |
| Zone | 4-9 |
| Chicken Role | Shade-loving edible ground cover, vitamin C forage |
Sweet violets thrive under the cool shadow of coop walls where hot sun never reaches.
Both the heart-shaped leaves and purple blossoms are loaded with vitamin C and soluble fiber.
They spread gently via surface runners, stitching loose topsoil together along the damp back edge of the run.
Hens love to snack on the early spring blossoms when other forage has barely woken up.
23. Thornless Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Medium, deep root system |
| Height | 4-6 ft canes (1.2-1.8 m) |
| Zone | 5-9 |
| Chicken Role | Overhead predator cover, high-antioxidant berry drops |
Planting thornless cultivars like ‘Triple Crown’ along the run fence is one of the smartest upgrades you can make.
Because there are no vicious thorns, you will not have to worry about comb tears or scratched eyes on your birds.
The arching canes form a secure canopy that shields hens from hunting hawks circling overhead.
Any ripe berries that drop to the ground become an instant prize for whoever spots them first.
24. Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
| Sun | Full sun to partial sun |
| Water | Consistent moisture, acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5) |
| Height | 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) |
| Zone | 3-8 |
| Chicken Role | Dense shrub shelter, antioxidant treats |
Blueberry bushes look gorgeous in all four seasons while offering genuine shelter for backyard birds.
They provide white spring bell blooms, rich summer berries, fiery scarlet autumn leaves, and bright red winter twigs.
Keep a circle of hardware cloth around the base for the first two years to protect the shallow fibrous root system.
Once established, the lower branches provide the ultimate shady perch for mid-morning naps.
25. Mulberry (Morus alba / Morus nigra)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low to moderate once established |
| Height | 15-30 ft (4.5-9 m) or pruned as large bush |
| Zone | 4-9 |
| Chicken Role | The holy grail of poultry forage, summer fruit buffet |
If I could only plant a single tree near a chicken run, mulberry wins without second thought.
Mulberry leaves carry roughly 18% to 22% protein, and hens will leap into the air to pull down fresh foliage.
During its six-week fruiting window in early summer, hundreds of ripe, sweet berries rain down into the run every morning.
My flock cuts their commercial feed consumption by nearly one-third when the mulberries are dropping.
It provides heavy cooling shade, and the sturdy trunk is completely immune to chicken scratching.
Worth every square inch of garden space.
26. Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Medium, rich well-drained soil |
| Height | 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) |
| Zone | 3-8 |
| Chicken Role | Dense thicket screening, sweet berry drops |
Raspberry canes spread through vigorous root suckers, quickly creating a living wall along the run fence.
This barrier blocks cold wind gusts in winter and masks the metal fencing with dense green foliage in summer.
Chickens cannot wipe out the patch because the extensive root network constantly pushes up new shoots faster than birds can eat them.
Any overripe berries that fall through the fence become instant high-antioxidant treats for your hens.
27. Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Medium, consistent moisture |
| Height | 3-5 ft (90-150 cm) |
| Zone | 3-8 |
| Chicken Role | Spiny predator deterrent, tart summer fruit |
Gooseberry bushes feature sharp thorns along their woody branches, making them an impenetrable perimeter defense.
Planting them tightly around the exterior run fencing discourages digging predators like raccoons and foxes from testing the boundary.
The bushes love cool climates and tolerate partial shade far better than most fruit crops.
The tart green berries ripen in midsummer, offering high levels of vitamin C and fruit acids that support poultry vitality.
28. Red Currant (Ribes rubrum)
| Sun | Morning sun to partial shade |
| Water | Medium |
| Height | 3-5 ft (90-150 cm) |
| Zone | 3-7 |
| Chicken Role | Woody structure, jeweled summer fruit bunches |
Red currants produce hanging clusters of translucent ruby-red berries that look like strings of tiny jewels.
Because the main canes grow thick and woody, established bushes stand up easily to scratching around the drip line.
They do exceptionally well on the north or east side of a run where scorching afternoon heat might stress other plants.
When the berries ripen in July, your hens will jump and stretch their necks to grab every low-hanging cluster.
29. Basket Willow (Salix viminalis)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | High, thrives in wet or boggy dirt |
| Height | 8-15 ft (2.4-4.5 m), coppiced to shrub size |
| Zone | 4-9 |
| Chicken Role | Mud absorption, living fence tunnels, natural salicin |
Every chicken keeper knows the nightmare of a muddy run after three days of steady rain.
Willow is nature’s water pump, sucking gallons of standing moisture out of low, sodden corners each day.
You can push live dormant willow rods into the ground around your run in early spring to weave a living arbor or green shade tunnel.
Willow bark contains salicin, an organic precursor to aspirin that wild birds chew on for natural pain relief and vitality.
Cut the stems back to ground level every winter to encourage thick, bushy regrowth come spring.
30. Grapevine (Vitis vinifera / Vitis labrusca)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Deep, infrequent watering |
| Height | Vigorous climber up to 15-25 ft (4.5-7.5 m) |
| Zone | 4-9 (choose cold-hardy Concord for North) |
| Chicken Role | Living shade roof, sweet treats, vine screening |
Train a single grape vine up the corner post and across the heavy wire roof of your chicken run.
Within two summers, the giant green leaves weave a dense living arbor that cools down the enclosure by ten degrees on ninety-degree days.
Hens safely peck off any low-hanging leaves within reach, which provides high-fiber green forage.
In autumn, fruit bunches drop through the overhead wire grid, giving your flock a seasonal feast of sweet carbohydrates.
Tip: Wrap the bottom three feet of the vine’s main trunk in hardware cloth so chickens cannot peck away the outer bark layer.
31. Common Fig (Ficus carica)
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low to medium once rooted |
| Height | 10-15 ft (3-4.5 m) |
| Zone | 7-10 (Zone 6 with winter protection) |
| Chicken Role | Broad-leaf umbrella shade, potassium-rich fruit drops |
Fig trees have massive, hand-shaped leaves that cast dense, umbrella-style shade across dusty dirt yards.
The thick, pale trunk is far too tough for chickens to scratch or peel once the tree has settled into its second year.
Hens love scratching around the wide drip line, turning soil and devouring beetles that would otherwise bother the root zone.
When soft, jammy figs ripen and tumble from high branches in late August, your hens will race across the yard to claim them.
It creates a Mediterranean aesthetic right beside your coop while keeping your birds cool during scorching summer afternoons.
32. American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Medium, adapts to various soils |
| Height | 8-12 ft (2.4-3.6 m) |
| Zone | 4-9 |
| Chicken Role | Dense thicket windbreak, hawk shelter, winter structure |
American hazelnut is a multi-stemmed native shrub that excels at creating dense windbreak thickets.
The dense network of upright stems breaks cold prevailing winds during blustery winter storms.
Because the branches grow close together near the ground, hens take refuge inside the thicket whenever a hawk shadow passes overhead.
In late summer, papery husks produce sweet hazelnuts that fall to the ground, surrounded by high-fiber autumn leaf mulch.
An exceptional native shrub that adds natural beauty and safety to any poultry setup.
What Plants You Should Never Put Near Chickens
Before you run off to the local nursery, keep in mind that a few common backyard garden plants carry toxic alkaloids that can poison poultry.
According to poultry health research from Penn State University Extension, birds will usually avoid bad plants if they have plenty of good food, but bored hens in a bare run will nibble almost anything.
- Nightshade leaves and stems: Never throw tomato vines, green potato skins, or eggplant stems into your coop enclosure.
- Rhubarb leaves: Packed with concentrated oxalic acid, which can cause severe kidney damage.
- Toxic ornamental shrubs: Keep yew, azaleas, rhododendron, oleander, boxwood, and foxglove far away from your flock fence.
- Raw dry beans: Contain phytohaemagglutinin, which is fatal to poultry unless cooked thoroughly.
How to Keep Chickens from Destroying Your New Plants
If you set a tiny three-inch potted plant straight into the middle of an active chicken run, it will be scratched to death before sunset.
I use three simple tricks to make sure my plants survive the early weeks.
First, use wire grazing frames for your forage greens.
Build a simple rectangle out of two-by-four cedar lumber and staple half-inch hardware cloth across the top. Sow your white clover or barley grass underneath. Hens stand directly on the wire and peck the tips poking through, but their claws cannot dig up the roots.
Second, protect shrub root crowns with heavy stones.
When you plant rosemary, lavender, or blueberry bushes, place three or four flat fieldstones right over the root ball surrounding the main stem. The stones stop chickens from scratching out the dirt, hold moisture in the soil, and let the plant establish deep anchor roots.
Third, plant on the outside of the fence line.
Sunflowers, blackberries, and grapevines do best when planted two inches outside the run fencing. The roots stay safe from chicken scratching, while the stems climb the wire to deliver free shade, leaves, and berries straight through the mesh.
What I Would Plant First If My Run Were Completely Bare
If I moved to a new homestead tomorrow with a bare dirt run, I would start with just three things.
A pair of tough rosemary bushes right by the gate for fragrance and shelter, a hardware cloth grazing box filled with white clover for daily greens, and a mulberry sapling outside the western fence for summer fruit drops and cooling shade.
Get those three running first. The rest can follow when your flock settles in.
By Anh