Months before I planted my organic garden, I read & read. I made my garden map. strategically placing my herbs, flowers, and veggies for optimum fertilization and growth. I used cedar as the base for my raised bed. I secured the bed with chicken wire. My version of Green Computing.
As I sat on my deck admiring my garden several weeks later, I noticed a lone bunny also admiring my work. He just sat, wiggles his cute little nose. Sniffed. Looking longingly at the Arugula, Broccolini, Lettuce, Kale, and Spinach. And just hopped away. Ask me how I know he was not looking at the marigolds, peppers, herbs and tomatoes. Just ask me.
Little did I know he was a scout for the rest of the pack. A lone bunny could not have done this.
A lone bunny could not have penetrated the chicken wire fortress….
Imagine coming out to water the garden to find empty patches where leafy greens used to reside. Imagine intermittent leafless stalks interspersed among herbs and untouched flowers. Imagine flowers strategically placed to pollinate….empty spots.
I used part of the day to build a stronger chicken wire cover with hinges that require (I hope) opposing thumbs to open. And replanting prior to the much needed rain.
I am thinking of building a moat.
It’s on!
Some years ago we had a vegetable garden. The bunnies loved it. We then went the chicken wire rout which worked to keep the bunnies out, but not the squirrels. Squirrels like to take one bite out of each tomato. I hope they liked them.
In Permaculture, items are actually planted just for the bunnies and then items are planted around the garden for bipeds that discourage them from that plot. It’s a bit labor entensive. And not everyone wants a hedge of artichokes or catus pads or some other prickly veggie that you then have to climb over yourself to deal with. Good luck on the bunnie safe veggies. Thougths of the last Wallace and Gromit movie come to mind.
Thanks…The squirrels have taken the hint (so far). But now I will add a removable top to address the squirrels. I’ll also check Permaculture. I may need a few more modifications. We will call this Release 1. Release 2 is under development. Thanks again.
Bambi is evil. The bunnies have not ever done nearly as much damage to our garden, roses, and grapes.
They just neatly bounce over the obstructions and enjoy the fruits of our labor. I’ve even left notes warning them that I grew up in a family that hunted and do enjoy the taste of venison. Evidently, deer cannot read, or are very confident at my inability to shoot straight!
Ideas?
Well Denise, you have bunnies, we have voles, and our neighbors down the way have deer. For clearing away the voles we have cats, and for the deer we use 7′ fencing. Oh—and I forgot the flea beetles. I grow micro greens for a chef in our little town, and the very first year my mix was stripped clean to the roots by flea beetles. So, we bought a mini-greenhouse. I now figure that for every year we grow our organic vegetables, fruit, and flowers, we probably could have purchased a dozen cargo containers from Central America filled with produce. But, as good “greenies,” we passionately persist.
Madeline, Wow! Mini Greenhouse. I will investigate further. You are so correct, I could have purchased greens cheaper.