The Culprit Is Identified!

Broccoli - decimated

Yesterday I was sitting by the window with Holly the cat on my lap. Suddenly she stiffened. She sat up. She was on alert. I looked out the window to see what caused her to come to attention. And there, hopping down the drive was an Eastern hare. Our neighbor had reported sighting the hare the other day. I ran out screaming. The cat fell asleep. Henry set out the Havahart trap.

This morning I looked out the window at the new Front Garden and saw that a number of the broccoli plants had been eaten. The hare had struck again. The trap was empty. I did spray with Liquid Fence Rabbit deterrent, but it hasn’t had a chance to work. The rain keeps falling. The only other advice is fences. The Front Garden was never intended to have a fence because I never thought pests would come so near. I’m putting on my thinking cap. All suggestions welcome.

Applejack

In the meantime I will concentrate on the positives. In spite of the cold and rain, the roses are blooming. Applejack, a Griffith Buck hardy rose, has been blooming to greet visitors at the End of the Road for about 25 years.

Applejack

The roses are drooping with the weight of the rain, but they are beautiful and fragrant. This year I decided to plant more Buck hybrids.

Hawkeye Belle

I planted Hawkeye Belle, an apricot pink, on the new Rose Bank. The bush is still so small that the blossoms are drooping to the ground, but I think this is going to be a beautiful bush. At least the rabbit doesn’t like roses.

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Tags: Roses, Vegetables, Wildlife

Roses, Vegetables, Wildlife | Pat June 14, 2010

6 Comments

By Nan, June 14, 2010 @ 10:58 am

That’s a beautiful rose and a great name!

I’ve read that you may just plant enough for the rabbit and for you! :<) I'll bet it was as cute as well, a bunny!
By Pat, June 14, 2010 @ 3:02 pm

Nan – A friend did tell me that a gardener of his acquaintance planted a hedge of lettuce around his garden – and the rabbits never bothered to go any further.
By Tinky, June 14, 2010 @ 4:15 pm

I have never had luck with those traps. I just give up growing veggies if the critters are too persistent–but I’m not suggesting that as advice! Gorgeous roses, OF COURSE.
By Christine B., June 14, 2010 @ 7:05 pm

We just had a front page spread in our local paper about a neighborhood here that is plagued with feral pet rabbits. The gardener’s were up in arms at the destruction. Even the guy from Fish and Game said to trap them (they’re good eating…or something to that effect). This is all very ironic, being held captive, seemingly, to the innocent and adorable little bunny rabbit. Also ironic because Alaska has more guns, hunters, and trappers than probably anywhere. I’m just trying to cope with the moose and I’m hoping the rabbits stay away.

Best of luck with getting rid of your little nuisance.

Christine in Alaska
By Flaneur, June 14, 2010 @ 7:11 pm

I’ve posted this earlier, but now that the lettuce aficionado has been identified as an appreciative rabbit, may I once again plea for a less severe sentence? Janet Aley, a neighbor (and mother of a friend), was raised in Westport, Connecticut, and recently described how her father dealt with the rabbit and woodchuck problem in his Victory garden in the early 1940s. The entire family was opposed to killing animals, even garden invaders, and so the father simply planted a generous hedge around the entire garden – a lettuce hedge. There were no further encroachments on the vegetable garden. Yes, a little more work, but a little more life, too. A charming solution.
By Pat, June 15, 2010 @ 6:40 am

Tinky – We have had good luck with the Havaharts – but so far not this time. However, the Liquid Fence seems to be working.
Christine – Yikes! Feral bunnies. I am total agreement with Mr. McGregor in his fight against Peter and Flopsy and Mopsy.
Flaneur – I am already passing on the idea of a lettuce hedge to others but it is not going to save my crops if I don’t discourage him. I haven’t yet considered rabbit stew although others have floated the idea. I do prefer charming solutions.