I like to walk through the garden in that last bit of daylight before the sun dips below the horizon. It's that time of the day when the garden isn't brightly lit by the sun, but there is still just enough light to see it.
One of my aunts used to refer to this time of day as the gloaming, when you see the garden in the glow of the setting sun.
And my favorite day of the week to do be out in the garden at this time is Sunday. In warmer weather, I can lie in the hammock and relax as the weekend comes to a close. I figure if chores and tasks and to do items aren't done by then, they should be set aside for another day. I prefer to use the last hours of the weekend to finally unwind before the week starts anew on Monday.
Because this Sunday was both a sunny day and a relatively warm day with temperatures in the high 30's, low 40's, I took advantage of the last bit of light to stroll around the garden to make sure all was well.
All seemed well until...
"I scared me up a rabbit."
He was lying where some Coreopsis grows, near the edge of the grape arbor. Here's his spot, or maybe her spot.
When the rabbit saw me, he took off running toward the vegetable garden. I chased after him and he turned and headed toward the neighbor's yard.
Let's just call this picture "Abstract of Bunny Running".
It appears my bunny troubles are not behind me.
I wonder what this rabbit has been eating? I read somewhere that rabbits eat 90% grass and the other 10% of their diet is plants we don't want them to eat like beans, peas, strawberries, tomatoes, blueberries, lettuce, spinach, and pretty much anything I plant in the garden and don't cover with a cloth to keep them out.
If that is true, then one would think that I would never have to mow the back yard. But I do.
I guess I can't deny my rabbit problem and and it is time to prepare for my annual battle against them. Here's my plan...
- I'll set the live trap out early this spring to see if I can lure them in when they are really hungry. And I'll make sure the trap doors are tightly closed before I carry the bunnies away in it.
- I'm checking my supply of garden cloth to make sure I have enough to cover all the beds that I'll need to cover this spring.
- I'm going to get some more big containers of cayenne pepper. This seems to help some to keep the rabbits from eating the plants I can't cover.
- I'm considering planting onion sets around every raised bed. I've heard that rabbits won't cross a row of onions. Does anyone know if this is true?
In case you are wondering, I am not considering getting a dog or an outdoor cat, fencing in the garden or using any foul smelling commercial products.
But I am open to other suggestions.
Now, guess what I did last night to keep the rabbit from coming back and laying in that spot? No! Not that! I just kicked it all around and messed it up good. It seemed to work because I checked this evening and the rabbit hasn't been back to that spot nor did I find him or any other rabbits anywhere else in the garden.
Take that rabbit, I mean business this year!
One of my aunts used to refer to this time of day as the gloaming, when you see the garden in the glow of the setting sun.
And my favorite day of the week to do be out in the garden at this time is Sunday. In warmer weather, I can lie in the hammock and relax as the weekend comes to a close. I figure if chores and tasks and to do items aren't done by then, they should be set aside for another day. I prefer to use the last hours of the weekend to finally unwind before the week starts anew on Monday.
Because this Sunday was both a sunny day and a relatively warm day with temperatures in the high 30's, low 40's, I took advantage of the last bit of light to stroll around the garden to make sure all was well.
All seemed well until...
"I scared me up a rabbit."
He was lying where some Coreopsis grows, near the edge of the grape arbor. Here's his spot, or maybe her spot.
When the rabbit saw me, he took off running toward the vegetable garden. I chased after him and he turned and headed toward the neighbor's yard.Let's just call this picture "Abstract of Bunny Running".
It appears my bunny troubles are not behind me.I wonder what this rabbit has been eating? I read somewhere that rabbits eat 90% grass and the other 10% of their diet is plants we don't want them to eat like beans, peas, strawberries, tomatoes, blueberries, lettuce, spinach, and pretty much anything I plant in the garden and don't cover with a cloth to keep them out.
If that is true, then one would think that I would never have to mow the back yard. But I do.
I guess I can't deny my rabbit problem and and it is time to prepare for my annual battle against them. Here's my plan...
- I'll set the live trap out early this spring to see if I can lure them in when they are really hungry. And I'll make sure the trap doors are tightly closed before I carry the bunnies away in it.
- I'm checking my supply of garden cloth to make sure I have enough to cover all the beds that I'll need to cover this spring.
- I'm going to get some more big containers of cayenne pepper. This seems to help some to keep the rabbits from eating the plants I can't cover.
- I'm considering planting onion sets around every raised bed. I've heard that rabbits won't cross a row of onions. Does anyone know if this is true?
In case you are wondering, I am not considering getting a dog or an outdoor cat, fencing in the garden or using any foul smelling commercial products.
But I am open to other suggestions.
Now, guess what I did last night to keep the rabbit from coming back and laying in that spot? No! Not that! I just kicked it all around and messed it up good. It seemed to work because I checked this evening and the rabbit hasn't been back to that spot nor did I find him or any other rabbits anywhere else in the garden.
Take that rabbit, I mean business this year!
Comments
When our chickens free range they chase the rabbits away, but since they're not out all the time, the rabbits sneak in. We put two-foot chicken wire around the whole perimeter of the garden fence, so we're hoping that works for this year. I also have heard that onions and hot pepper work to deter critters, though I can't confirm that ...
My grandad used to put out dried blood to scare away the critters. You don't know any vampires on the wagon, do you?
We don't have rabbits in my neck of the woods, so I can't give you any advice.
Perhaps you'll have an incident like Gina did with the lawnmower. Gross!
Katie at GardenPunks
In French, the early evening before dark is called, 'le temps entre chien et loup' (or the time between dog and wolf). I like the sound of that too - it's almost magical, like 'gloaming'.
It is such a good idea to keep you sunday evenings sacred by resting by your garden. We should all do this more. Rest and ENJOY our labors.
Deb
I guarantee that they will be rolling on the floor! But hey.. it is worth a try! ;-)
Seriously... I'll ask my 73 year old father who honestly knows everything about a garden and the outdoors. He usually had some ideas about everything.... ;-) (One of THOSE guys...lol)
Love your writing style!
:-) Beth
Meg, A few years ago a rabbit had babies in my lettuce patch. I was not pleased. She moved them a few days after I found them. I guess they move them every so often especially if they think they might be in danger.
Jim/Artofgardening, I have tried blood meal, too, but you have to use a lot, I've found. That's funny, the bunny picture does look like those blurry BigFoot pictures.
David in Greensboro NC, Indeed, if he even left...
Katie, I actually have had such an incident, about 20 years ago. It was a mess.
Jodi, No thanks, though your ice pictures are pretty.
Kate, that phrase does have a nice sound to it. I'll remember at least the English translation.
Sherry, Be nice to the bunny? How, by letting it eat in the garden? I'm confident that rabbit is still there and found a better place to nest.
Lisa at Greenbow, I would guess with your dog even outside some of the time, the rabbits don't stay long in your garden.
Frances, I tried some of that plastic chicken netting around the raised beds one year, and the rabbits ate right through it. No kidding. I wrote the manufacturer and got my money back.
Entangled, maybe I'll plant onions, garlic, and marigolds!
Layanee, I'll add nasturiums to the mix! And I think the reason the picture came out so blurry was that I was also running when I took it. I should have stopped first!
Crafty Gardener, if the rabbits ate only the weeds, they could stay!
Jim/ArtofGardening, Or I could set up a garden gnome with a camera.
Diana, Rattlesnakes! We have no rattlesnakes around here. Oh my, you shot him?! I can just imagine.
Aunt Debbi/Kurts Mom, I am considering the blood meal, but not the fox urine.
Around The Funny Farm/Beth, I'm going to pass on the hair idea. But, they did laugh at the hair salon when I told them about my hoe collection!
Thanks all for the comments and suggestions!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
I like the cayenne pepper idea. Last year I sprinkled mothballs under the perennial asters my bunnies were munching on, but the smell is pretty awful and I don't like the chemical aspect either. Can you get cayenne pepper in big containers? That would probably keep my dogs from tromping around in the flowers & sniffing for critters too, wouldn't it?
The most kind thing to do to your bunny involves cookery IMO. But then, they're feral here, and a serious pest to natural ecosystems as well as agriculture.
If you trap your bunny live, what will you do with him?