Just went outside and found nothing left of a 12" Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina) but an 8" stick!! Add this one to an 8" Redbud (Cercis canadensis) and 4 out of 5 8" New Jersey Teas (Ceanothus americanus) that's been nibbled down to 4" sticks At least I have another Cercis on stand-by (it was infested with some kind of caterpillar and needed TLC before being planted), and the Ceanothus' have side buds that are starting to leaf out (originally had really nice 3" leaves. Hopefully, with roots intact, they'll store enough energy before going dormant to grow new shoots in the spring...
Didn't realize these would be so attractive to ... rabbits? (sharply cut off at the top) Gotta get out there and fence and/or cage them so they'll have the chance to grow a bit. I shudder to think what will happen to them without protection during the cold season if they're being favored over greenery that's available now.
Applestar.This is why I detest these creatures so much. Unlike most wildlife they don't even eat what they chew they just chew out of boredom (or spite. I am sure they have it in for me! ) They are the only animal I will happily dispose of with no qualms. That sounds so heartless I know. I don't even squish slugs and snails if I don't have to...but bunnies...Where there is 1 in a few months there will be 21 and you will have nothing left. Even poisonous stuff gets chewed off and left lying on the ground or they dig it up and kill it. They have even chewed through a wire fence I put around a rose bed...Did I mention I hate bunnies?!
Just so you know they are also not native to Britain so we have little in the way of predators to deal with them.
Just so you know they are also not native to Britain so we have little in the way of predators to deal with them.
I hate rabbit stew lol! Dad made us eat it as kids but I think a lot of the time it still had the farmers shot in it or was a little ripe. I just remember it tasting yuk.applestar wrote: Hasenpfeffer, Jess?
Sorry about your asclepias applestar
Try and find the hole(s) and start filling them in. I did this on a rabbit warren. It made them relocate eventually and means they spend more time digging out than eating your plants.
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I can't eat rabbits either, but for a different reason:
When my hubby and I were still dating (oh so long ago...) he took me out to a really fancy restaurant -- a converted 1800's farm house, beautiful interior, lots of atmosphere, etc. and a winter snow added to the scenic landscaping. We were seated at a table by the window next to a crackling fire in a big fireplace.
The restaurant was noted for their unusual fall/winter game selections, and I ordered.... rabbit. We had smoked fish, quail, and other interesting appetizers, hearty soup, etc. All was going well. Then the main course was served.
Just as I was getting ready to take my first bite, I glanced out the window, and there, on a small mound right outside, was a RABBIT peering in. I mean REALLY!
I said to my partner -- "There's a bunny outside."
"Why are you whispering?"
".... "
I tried, but with those big dewy eyes looking straight at me, it was impossible. We ended up trading plates, but it was interesting to note that HE kept glancing out the window, and didn't really dig in until he said with a sigh "It's gone."
When my hubby and I were still dating (oh so long ago...) he took me out to a really fancy restaurant -- a converted 1800's farm house, beautiful interior, lots of atmosphere, etc. and a winter snow added to the scenic landscaping. We were seated at a table by the window next to a crackling fire in a big fireplace.
The restaurant was noted for their unusual fall/winter game selections, and I ordered.... rabbit. We had smoked fish, quail, and other interesting appetizers, hearty soup, etc. All was going well. Then the main course was served.
Just as I was getting ready to take my first bite, I glanced out the window, and there, on a small mound right outside, was a RABBIT peering in. I mean REALLY!
I said to my partner -- "There's a bunny outside."
"Why are you whispering?"
".... "
I tried, but with those big dewy eyes looking straight at me, it was impossible. We ended up trading plates, but it was interesting to note that HE kept glancing out the window, and didn't really dig in until he said with a sigh "It's gone."
Just as I was getting ready to take my first bite, I glanced out the window, and there, on a small mound right outside, was a RABBIT peering in. I mean REALLY!
Haha! Let me just say that when I am not working I find them very sweet and can happily watch them for hours gambolling around. If they are not chewing MY plants I don't mind.
I wonder how much longer you will think those big dewy eyes are endearing applestar. How much vandalism before you too think of them as the devils spawn...
I know, I know but I do relocate if I can. The local farmers are probably wondering why the recent plague of rabbits lol!!
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