i think rabbits are eating my roses

[guest]

i have 25-30 hybrid tea roses and i think rabbits are eating the buds & leave is this possible?? i live in buffalo,ny is there anthing i can do to discourage the little criiers?? we also have had a horrible spring and summer could this be the problem???

[The Helpful Gardener]

I was just at Tovah Martin's house yesterday and she said that after years of not having ANY problems with rabbits she is having to trap (and release) this year just to save her garden (we were discussing a convicted leaf thief she was abouyt to relocate). Yes, it is very possible and this year I would tell you it is likely that it is rabbits. My cats are my line of defense; even the little one will take down rabbits his own size! (Folks who know my cats would tell you that little is relative and the "little" one is average size; the two original brothers come from a long line of monstrously big cats).

There are a lot of other ways to deal with the little buggers; My friend Lenny swears by the Parson's ammonia (diluted) he sprays on his hostas to keep off the slugs (dissolves them and acts as a foliar feed) to also keep off deer and rabbits. Here are some other sites for dealing with rabbits and their ilk...

http://www.complete-gardens.co.uk/solutions-rabbit.php

http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/wildrabbits/wild_rabbit_problems.htm

http://www.havahart.com/Articles/critter%20proofing%20your%20garden.htm

http://landscaping.about.com/cs/pests/a/easter_rabbit_2.htm

LOts of good info here; hope some of it helps...

Scott