One of the joys of gardening is that a garden can be an oasis in the urban/suburban for wildlife. Besides the usual sightings of suburban rats (squirrels), we have seen an amazing variety of birds including two raptors of some kind nesting in the neighbors’ cottonwood tree.
One of the pitfalls of gardening is that a garden can attract wildlife. Confused? Well, let me explain.
Mrs. Vintage and I recently renovated several sections of our gardens. While recently basking in the newly overhauled birdbath garden, I happened to noticed that some of the plants we had just put in seemed to be doing very poorly. I knew that the area was getting enough sun and water, so at first I was a little stumped at what might be causing these plants to fail.
I also happened to notice that the lawn in front of the shed door was looking a little puny, and that was when I put 2 + 2 together. I’ve noticed that there have been quite a few more bunny rabbits in the yard than there have been in years past, and they have seemed to make the shed their home-base. I realized that these R.O.U.L.Es* (Rodents** Of Unusually Long Ears) have been devouring all the newly installed plants!
We’ve put too much time, effort and money turning our garden into a private retreat just to have the local bunny population turn our borders into all you can eat buffets. So I employed several techniques to thwart their mooching behavior.
First off, I discovered a whole warren of them are living under the shed. So I used large sheets of leftover plywood as well as rocks and bricks to block off some of the holes and access points they were using to get into the yard. There’s really no way I can keep all the buggers out if they want to get into my yard, but I can at least make them work for their dinner.
Then I purchased some deer and rabbit repellent and started spraying it liberally in the borders affected the most. Let me tell something: this stuff stinks! But that’s the point isn’t it? I also spread a little bit of blood meal around to ward them off. Apparently bunnies aren’t to thrilled with the smell of blood. Plus, blood meal has a bit of nitrogen in it which should help the plants recover.
The only down side to the repellant and blood meal is that I have to apply them every time it rains or the area gets watered.
I also purchased some chicken wire and created little cages to put around the plants that have been hit the hardest. Once the plants make a recovery and begin outgrowing the cages I’ll pull them and see what happens.
It turns out I have a weapon available to me that I didn’t even know I had. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Bailey, slayer of bunnies (not really).
Bailey is one of the meekest dogs I have ever known. I didn’t think she had had an ounce of killer instinct in her, but apparently I was mistaken. One day Mrs. Vintage was working in the backyard and happened to look up and see Bailey carrying a rabbit in her mouth by the neck. Mrs. Vintage freaked a bit and made her drop it, and it promptly scurried away, denying Bailey her kill.
Now I will be honest here: a month ago I probably would have done the same thing. Well, I probably wouldn’t have freaked out, but I would have made her drop the rabbit immediately. Now, however, should I happen to see her carrying a bunny by the neck I will still most likely make her drop it, but I might think about it for awhile before doing so.
In more positive news things are really popping here in the Vintage garden. Below are the Gaillardias (Blanket Flowers) that I just planted in the birdbath garden already in bloom.
You may remember my trials and tribulations with the cable company digging huge holes in both my front and back borders. If not, see here: https://www.mrvintageman.com/unexpected-garden-disasters/.
Anyway, the poor Spirea shrub that I found just lying on the ground after the cable guys were finished is enjoying its new location in the garden and is thriving.
Finally, here is a view of the border that was renovated last year. Looking good, but several plants didn’t make it through the winter. I’ll wait until later in the summer to see what spots I need to fill in with plants. There’s two reasons for waiting. One, I’ll have a better idea of the size of the plants already in this area so I’ll know how many new plants I’ll need. Two, nurseries usually put their remaining stock on sale in July and August allowing me to pick up some nice bargains!
Have you spotted any unusual wildlife in your garden so far this spring? If so, have they caused you joy or heartache?
*Hat tip to the movie Princess Bride
** Technically rabbits aren’t rodents, but lagomorphs. Screw it, they look like rodents to me.
