Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Herbs
Most herbs are perennial or biennial. In our area, it is time to plant all but the annuals. I'm thinking about growing parsley, a biennial, right outside my barn door. I have two long planters that were on my porch last year. I think that if I fill them with parsley plants and put them near the barn, it will remind me to give my bunnies a treat from time to time. It will also be at hand should I have a picky eater or a sick bunny.
I am also hoping to transplant my raspberry canes this year. We tried last year, but the combination of rabbit manure and heavy July rains created a thick patch of 6' weeds instead. I'm going to give it another try once we've turned under the weeds a couple of times. Rabbits love the young raspberry leaves. Generally, even the sickest rabbits will eat them.
I also have tarragon in my garden. You want to start tarragon from plants. Once it is started, it will spread at a moderate pace in your garden. Most of my rabbits enjoy the tarragon.
Oregano, lemon balm, and catnip grow like crazy in the garden. Unfortunately, none of them seem to be the favorites of my rabbits. Thyme, though, is favored by some. The prostrate varieties spread and grow nicely. My upright plants seem to be more ify. We are in zone 7b.
I grow chives and garlic chives for myself, but do not give them to my rabbits.
Basil is an annual. I didn't grow any last year, but did the year before. I like the Thai types - a licorice basil. It has the same smell as Calf Manna and I'm wondering if the rabbits would like that. They might have to fight my eldest, though, who loves the Thai basil for a corn and Thai pepper recipe. Of course there are Greek, Italian, lemon, and other types of basil. They are all good. Do not let them bloom (pinch, pinch, pinch!) and you can have oregano all summer.
You can also start cilantro several times during the year to have a fresh supply available.
I have not fed comfrey to my rabbits, but I understand others do. My plant actually finally died. I'm not sure how I managed that because comfrey grows like a weed.
Not an herb, but still a great idea is kale. I try not to give more than a leaf at a time, but having kale on hand is a great idea.
I've rarely grown carrots because of the clay soil around here. I have tried some of the short, stumpy varieties from time to time. It doesn't matter to the rabbits, though, because they like the green tops better anyway.
Maybe I will inspire myself to get busy on my garden. If I do, both my bunnies and I will benefit.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 12:07 PM
I am also hoping to transplant my raspberry canes this year. We tried last year, but the combination of rabbit manure and heavy July rains created a thick patch of 6' weeds instead. I'm going to give it another try once we've turned under the weeds a couple of times. Rabbits love the young raspberry leaves. Generally, even the sickest rabbits will eat them.
I also have tarragon in my garden. You want to start tarragon from plants. Once it is started, it will spread at a moderate pace in your garden. Most of my rabbits enjoy the tarragon.
Oregano, lemon balm, and catnip grow like crazy in the garden. Unfortunately, none of them seem to be the favorites of my rabbits. Thyme, though, is favored by some. The prostrate varieties spread and grow nicely. My upright plants seem to be more ify. We are in zone 7b.
I grow chives and garlic chives for myself, but do not give them to my rabbits.
Basil is an annual. I didn't grow any last year, but did the year before. I like the Thai types - a licorice basil. It has the same smell as Calf Manna and I'm wondering if the rabbits would like that. They might have to fight my eldest, though, who loves the Thai basil for a corn and Thai pepper recipe. Of course there are Greek, Italian, lemon, and other types of basil. They are all good. Do not let them bloom (pinch, pinch, pinch!) and you can have oregano all summer.
You can also start cilantro several times during the year to have a fresh supply available.
I have not fed comfrey to my rabbits, but I understand others do. My plant actually finally died. I'm not sure how I managed that because comfrey grows like a weed.
Not an herb, but still a great idea is kale. I try not to give more than a leaf at a time, but having kale on hand is a great idea.
I've rarely grown carrots because of the clay soil around here. I have tried some of the short, stumpy varieties from time to time. It doesn't matter to the rabbits, though, because they like the green tops better anyway.
Maybe I will inspire myself to get busy on my garden. If I do, both my bunnies and I will benefit.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 12:07 PM
