Rabbits and cabbages
| 15:16 UK time, Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Wow!Ìý What a lot of comments - mostly with really hard questionsÌý- doÌýkeep them coming!ÌýÌýI've picked a couple ofÌýthe subjectsÌýthat have come up -Ìýrabbit control, and plants that like shade.
Let's start with rabbits, as quite a few of you, likeÌýNewbieplot, seem to be plaguedÌýby them.Ìý Fluffy bunny wunnies may look cuddly, but when they've scoffed your seedlings it's hard not to start thinking about rabbit pie.Ìý Part of the trouble is that they've got similar tastes to us, so they'd rather eat our beetroot or lettuce than weeds, which have often adapted to be bitter and unpleasant to avoid being munched.Ìý They won't generally eat onions or garlic though.
I'm going to give it to you straight - the only sure way to keep the rabbits off is a barrier, like a mesh covering or rabbit proof fencing.Ìý There's a bit of good news - just laying the bottom section of rabbit fencing on the ground, rather than burying it in a trench, will usuallyÌýstop Mr Rabbit digging down and under next to it.Ìý
If you don't feel like turning your garden into a mini-Colditz, there's a couple of traditional tips that might work.Ìý According to some people, human, cat or dog hair laid in clumps around your veggies will scare off rabbits.Ìý HairdressersÌýwill apparently happily supply said hair.ÌýIt's weird, but it might just work, and hair has actually been found to be a too.Ìý If anyone tries this, please let us know how it works out!ÌýSmelly plants like onions and marigolds can also confuse the bunnies, but once they've had a taste of your veg, they will be back.
JanetBrutenÌýwanted to know a veg that would put up with some shade. AÌýtricky one this, as
most shade-tolerant plants tend to be things that last a few years - trees and bushes, that sort of thing.Ìý Brassicas - that'sÌýplants in the same family as cabbages, broccoli and the like, can put up with a bit of shade.ÌýÌýIf you think they're a bit dull, then think again.Ìý Smooth, sophisticated rocket is a brassica, and there's a load of jazzy new oriental greens, like mizuna, which keep on growing really late into the winter.Ìý Give them a try, along with parsley and lettuce.Ìý Beans aren't likely to hack it.Ìý They need the sun - look how they climb for it.
Next week - slugs.Ìý I promise I'll get round to these slimy little rascals.Ìý But in the meantime, let me know how you keep them off your veg by leaving a comment - looking forward to reading what you've got to say.
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