If I had an outside pen, I think I would build an elevated wire walkway (platform if you may), one that the chickens can get under if they wanted to in nice weather, and above on the wire when it's wet. The chickens could stay dry on the wire, but I could remove bedding from underneath the wire when needed (3 feet high, maybe 4 feet wide so a hoe/shovel/pitchfork can reach). The wire would have to be something of suitable size so feet don't get caught-or maybe even metal rods (think of a fireplace grill) so the feces can fall through. Come to think of it, if you know a welder a metal frame could easily be made from rebar per your instruction. I think I would cover more of the run with a tarp, also, as they'll get plenty of sun shining under the tarp at varying parts of the day.

I agree that it looks like black locust, based on the compound leaves, the leaflet shape, and the root suckering. I would guess that perhaps one of your neighbors has black locusts and the roots have moved into your garden. I am really sorry! It sounds like it will be something of an ongoing battle. I think maybe your "disturbing the soil by planting, then watering has stimulated plant growth" or even that the neighbor's trees have just gotten large enough for interference in your garden. I did a search for black locust control. There are a lot of really nasty chemical controls, but happily it sounds like glysophate (generic roundup) will keep the ones in your garden under control if you keep after it. As Missingtheobvious said, "Cut whatever you can cut, and immediately paint the fresh wound with Roundup concentrate. That should do for it! [Roundup doesn't migrate along the roots to unrelated plants.]" http://wric.ucdavis.edu/information/natural%20areas/wr_R/Robinia.pdf http://mdc.mo.gov/your-property/problem-plants-and-animals/nuisance-native-plants/black-locust-control Maybe in the long term you can join with the neighbor with the tree(s) to get them taken down and paint every sprout with Glysophate. It sounds like otherwise you will have an ongoing battle. Maybe your treating the roots in your garden will eventually do in the trees.

Good golly, I loved it...that green color is fab! I think I have about as much Christmas "stuff" as you do, but unfortunately this is the first year I've not gotten to decorate. We've had a family tragedy and have also been in remodel h%ll on a lake home we bought, so no go for me this year. I so enjoyed looking at your beautiful home. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. How MANY poinsettias, paper whites and wreaths??? Oh child, bless your heart. Christmas decorating really is so much darn work. It looks so great when it's done, but then, if you are like me, you're usually too pooped to enjoy it. HA! Now to a question that nooooooooooo one has asked you...and probably never would. What does the little sign say in regards to the "temperamental toilet?" That's what we are beginning to call ours. This lake place (built in 1952, hence the remodel) is not on a septic system, but it still has some flushing issues even with the new toilets we bought. We've been thinking of making up a little sign, too, for guests. Something like, "flush often and with gusto...flushing is free, plunging is not." Would also like to include something for the shower doors....."if you see a squeegee, USE IT!" Wow, I'm sounding like such a lovely hostess, huh? HA! Anyway, if you care to share the sign sentiment, that would be great. And once again, thank you so much for sharing your lovely home with us. I wish you a very blessed holiday! pup

Surely there is an appropriate herbicide for this application. It really seems to me you're missing the obvious, first by not bothering to read the label of whatever you killed your old lawn with, and now by assuming that if you don't get just the answer you seek on an online forum mostly consisting of amateurs, within the first 24 hrs. of posting your query, then that search is over! Wow. I am not an expert in FL turf care but there are many people who are. Why aren't you consulting them? And why are you even bothering with any of this if your real heart's desire is to have an almost completely fake landscape? As a person who is not an amateur, it is folks exactly like you who are ruining the legitimate use of pesticides via your irresponsibility. If I behaved as you have done in the past, I'd be breaking the law, let alone retaining my employment. Truly one of the saddest posts I've seen here in some time. Very generally, oldmanroot's come closest to the truth of the matter: In lawn care as in the management of any plant community, one seeks to achieve cultural conditions that suit the intended plant community, in your case, a lawn of palmetto grass. So, whatever moisture regime that plant likes, that's what you try to provide, and on down through the other parameters you can control. This will do 90% of the work of having a good patch. Then, if problems persist, you reach for more extreme measures. BTW, I'm sure that if I wanted to, I could use the same interwebs you're on and determine an appropriate herbicide choice for your situation. I estimate it would take me five minutes tops. +om