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What do rabbits not eat...
Zoomer44
Posts: 3,267
To cut to the chase, there's an area at the bottom of the plot which won't be enclosed with a rabbit proof fence...
I was thinking they don't eat flowers so may grow some to cut in this area, are there any vegs they aren't keen on or do they eat anything and everything.
I had also planned to line the bottom of the chicken wire fence around the main growing area with black plastic about a ft high, thinking if they can't see into the plot this would be another defence.
All advise welcome...
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Oh yes they do eat flowers - if it's tasty they'll eat it - flower, veg ......... all the same to a rabbit! They don't read the labels
The RHS site has a list of plants that they're not quite so keen on http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=209
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Curry.
Soz Zoomer I've woken up in a silly mood. I don't have any helpful information
You and OH both KEF - he asked if they would eat profiteroles!!!!!!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Nothing is the short answer Zoomer
I think they'd try curry too KEF!
They'll leave daffs and snowdrops. If you protect them enough initially, clematis, honeysuckle and ivy, heathers, rhodos, cotoneaster and conifers. We had schizostylus which they largely left alone. Escallonia and Amelanchier were left but they were established. They'll have a go at almost anything - especially the youngsters at this time of year, so perennials are a huge problem. They ate around £150 worth of plants overnight at my last house, most of which didn't recover.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Some of them here are carniverous Dove...honest....
I found it incredible that they eat Holly - but I watched them doing it!
I've remembered Potentilla, Alchemilla and Loosestrife are others they seem to leave alone Zoomer. If you shield shrubs with chicken wire till they're a bit stronger and can fend off the nibbling, that seems to work quite well.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Well, that's burst my bubble on growing lots of flowers to cut, me thinks I'll grow those at home
, so pleased I asked the Q.
A helpful list though Dove, at a push I've 8 of the plants and I can grow rubarb and currant bushes down there. They seem resistant to sunflowers too.
KEF, would you just believe it, the newbie's on the neighbouring plot own the nicest curry house in town and are planning on growing some traditional crops, some they could only discribe to me, one with purple leaves and lots of spinach and corriander. I'm hoping the rabbits will be full after a feast on those before they turn on my crop.
I'll check out those you've listed Fairygirl. I've a lot of chicken wire left but was thinking of heightening the fence around the main growing area with it.
Is it worth putting up a barrier of black plastic around the bottom of the boundary fence?
Zoomer I do hope the rabbits leave your stuff alone
I was going to suggest dressing like a rabbit and helping yourself to coriander and spinach, but I don't want anyone to think I'm seriously suggesting nicking other people's crops.
What you need is a
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
If they want to get in, they will, especially if there are goodies on the other side! Not sure plastic would work - chicken wire is the usual method but you have to bury it cos they they just tunnel under. Little darlings...
I can only go by the experience I had in my last garden Zoomer. We were next to fields and farmland and they were rampant. The year we moved in, our neighbour across the road said they were worse than he'd seen in a long time though, and they definitely weren't so bad the following year. Once things are established they can fend off the nibbling but that's not much use for annuals or perennials. We had planned to build lots of high raised beds in a courtyard bit nearest the house, so that we could then grow any ornamentals and veg we wanted. If you can't beat 'em...foil them!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...