But why post a guard over an old shack and a barren patch of ground?

Ground covers can spread across barren patches of soil.

There was a barren patch directly to his left, on the other side of the road.

Together they buy seeds and plant a garden in a barren patch of ground.

Unlike the more westerly land, however, it was also dotted with barren patches.

They were social animals, and this barren patch of rock was now Ark's turf.

Below were endless fields of white, interrupted only by a few barren patches.

Agreed, I hope the team comes thorugh this rather barren patch and does start to produce the form they are capable of.

Beyond the first wire fence was a barren patch, extending perhaps twenty-five yards.

We've gotten enough food on board to take us out of this barren patch.