A feeling of foreboding

[siercia]

I started my garden a few weeks ago. Mostly, I put in an asparagus bed that I am hoping will serve us well for years, and I'm trying a bunch of brussel sprout plants. When the tomato and basil seedlings appear at the garden store, I'll be adding as many of those as I can fit.

Last night, my husband looked out the window and called Hannah over to see what he had spotted. I looked, and was filled with a feeling of doom for my garden.

Can you see why? Maybe this will help. (You can also click to make the pics bigger.)

 


I've never seen a bunny in my yard - between having outdoor cats that scent the place up and several packs of coyotes in the woods around our house keeping the population down, they never seem to make it into our backyard. (The squirrels on the other hand, oooooooh, they're annoying).

Mr. Rabbit sat out there without moving for quite a long time without even really moving, but he was gone this morning. I'm hoping he doesn't come back, but if he does...

Does anyone know if rabbits like brussel sprouts?

Comments

[liddle-oldman.livejournal.com]

Bunnies like everything.

I can get you the loan of a .22, but the municipality would probably frown on the idea.

[siercia]

I am quite sure they would frown on it - especially since I am a terrible shot and our neighbors have small children.

[scirocco.livejournal.com]

I already have a pellet gun that'll work fine, but that was also vetoed. :)

[cfred.livejournal.com]

Isn't planting basil supposed to deter bunnies? It may take a lot of basil to make a full protective barrier, so hopefully you all like pesto. :)

[jess-faraday.livejournal.com]

Rabbits LOVE basil. I had two pet rabbits who used to eat it like candy.

GAH. They are destructive little vegetable-eating machines. One bunny can take down a garden in an afternoon.

I wish you luck dealing with it. Maybe get a dog?

[siercia]

Maybe I'll encourage the cats to hang out by the garden patch. Maybe some catnip around the edges =)

Getting a dog seems like awfully heavy artillery, as much as Ms Hannah would think it was the BEST THING EVER.

[cfred.livejournal.com]

And even with a dog, the rabbits learn to time their runs when the dog is inside (says the person with two dogs).

Apparently the logic for basil it gives them something to eat that isn't your veggies. At least that's what citabean says, although the eHow article (http://www.ehow.com/way_5125124_plant-keep-rabbits-out-gardens.html) she pointed me to says rabbits like basil.

Then again, that's why I leave the planting and such to her and just provide support with setting up the fence around the garden. And with eating the produce, of course. :)

[siercia]

We do love pesto, but sadly it sounds like more of attractant that deterrent.

[captainsblog.livejournal.com]

Well, we'll not risk another frontal assault. That rabbit's dynamite.

[siercia]

*snicker*

[sahara-harp.livejournal.com]

He's cute!!

I have some black netting I got at home depot that goes over the garden to keep it safe from things like cute bunnies. It drapes over the tall tomato tepees.

[siercia]

Thank you for the tip - I'll go looking for some thins weekend.

[jess-faraday.livejournal.com]

As for whether rabbits like brussel sprouts, I'd say yes, because they eat everything. But you might get some satisfaction in knowing that sprouts, cabbage, etc. give them terrible gas, which often kills a rabbit in the end. It's a nasty way to go, but even my rabbit-loving self might say "serves you right" if the offending creature wiped out my entire vegetable patch.

[siercia]

Nah, I think that makes me feel worse, that my garden gets destroyed and it might kill the bunny in a horrible painful way.

[kdinconn.livejournal.com]

Might I recommend a note: http://salsainchina.blogspot.com/2011/05/listen-up-varmints-youve-been-put-on.html

[siercia]

Oh my goodness. That is SO cute. Sadly, I'm pretty sure my bunny is illiterate.

[kiteflier98.livejournal.com]

I've heard that human hair near a vegetable patch will deter animals, although I'm not sure if rabbits are in that group. I can ask my father about that. There are also certain plants that ward off animals because of the smell. Might be something to check out.