Organic Gardening: Time to grow "rabbit food"

When the weather is warm and our thoughts turn to gardening, it's a perfect time to consider what vegetables you can grow for your rabbit this summer. First of all, you don't want to use any chemical pesticides or fertilizers on your garden if you're going to be feeding the veggies to your bunnies (or even if you're eating them yourself). Remember though, if your neighbours are using pesticides, you most likely will have pesticides drift into your yard.

Parsley

There are ways to control pests without dangerous chemicals:
a) A strong jet of water from a garden hose will knock most pests off plants with no damage to mature plants. Water plants first thing in the morning, before the sun is hot. This way water has time to dry on the leaves therefore the moisture doesn't encourage disease.
b) Hand pick off the bugs that are eating your plants. Sand, rough mulch or a saucer of beer will usually keep slugs away.

Homemade insecticides: There are a variety of homemade recipes. You can make your own using 3 cloves garlic, 1 Tbsp. hot pepper flakes, 3 litres of water, 2 drops dish soap. Put the garlic and peppers in cheesecloth and steep in the water; then add the soap. Planting herbs and flowers together provides another form of natural pest control. Coriander, dill, marigolds, onions, garlic and chives are good natural repellents. Scented geraniums, dill, dandelion, yarrow and various nectar bearing plants will attract ladybugs and other beneficial bugs, warding off nasty plant-eating bugs.

Camomile

Natural fertilizers:
Compost tea makes a great fertilizer: Fill a bucket one-third full of compost, then add water to fill the bucket to the top. Let it steep for three to seven days. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or pantyhose into another container. Dilute the remaining liquid with water so it's the color of weak tea. For best results, fertilize early in the morning or on cloudy days. Rabbit droppings make wonderful fertilizer as well.

There's really no need to have a separate vegetable bed, it's much easier to combine herbs, vegetables, and flowers in the same bed, as long as your plants aren't crowded. The key is to pick an area that is located in full sun and you allow the plants room to grow. Avoid over crowding. Make sure the soil is loose with good drainage. Until germination, water often, keeping the soil moist but not soaking. When planting seeds consult the package for dates of sowing, germination, depth of planting and spacing.

Here are some that perform well in our climate:

Name	Planting	Days/harvest	Possible sowings	Note
Beets (feed leaves only)	Apr. 20 - May 10	55 - 70	Many	Remove thinned plants for greens.
Carrots	Apr. 15 - May 5	65 - 75	Many	Needs regular thinning.
Chard (red and white)	Apr. 1 - June 15	55+	Many	Harvest outside stalks only.
Kale	Apr. 1 - June 1	55 - 60	1	Light autumn frost improves taste.
Kohlrabi (feed leaves only)	Apr. 30 - June 1	60+	3	Harvest when stem is size of tennis ball.
Lettuce, Endive	Apr. 20 - May 10	90+	2	Plant more in June for late harvest.
Lettuce, Leaf	Apr. 1 - Aug. 1	40 - 45	Many	Extra tender if not thinned.
Radish (feed leaves only)	Apr. 1 - Apr. 15	28 - 35	4	Needs shade in the summer.
Spinach	Apr. 1 - 20	40 - 45	2	Doesn't do well in hot weather

**Dandelion (leaves and flowers) perfect for any "amateur" gardener. Rabbits love them. Don't use pesticides on the plant if it's for feeding

Herbs for ground or container planting: Many vegetables, especially herbs, are perfect for container gardening on balconies or window ledges. Herbs require very little attention and are easy to grow. Choose a container that is large and deep enough to house the full-grown plant. Keep the container in full sun, but sheltered from the wind. Water often, because soil in containers will dry out quickly. You can buy little starter herb kits at various stores like the Home Depot or WalMart at this time of year to make the planting process even easier.

Basil

Try some of these:

Basil. Grows 2 feet tall. Plant early and make successive sowings 2 weeks apart. Pinching off flowers prevents seeding and death of plant. Coriander/Cilantro. Has a pungent odour. Grows to 12"-15" tall Dill. Plant early and repeatedly. Grows to 3 feet tall. Soak seeds overnight before planting. Fennel. Performs better sown directly into garden. Grows to 3 feet. Mint (lemon, spearmint, peppermint - not pennyroyal because it's toxic). Grows wide, not tall. It's very invasive and should be grown in a container. Parsley (curly and plain). Plant in mid-May. Needs part shade. Grows 8" tall. Oregano. Grows well in poor soil and containers. Grows to 2 feet tall. Thyme. Grows 6-8" tall. Plant early. Does best from stem cuttings, not seeds.

Mint

Introduce greens slowly and watch for loose stool or stomach upset. Discontinue feeding certain vegetables if problems arise. Vegetables are a good source of minerals and vitamins. It's best to rotate a rabbit's selection daily, or weekly, so they are receiving a varied amount of minerals. Feeding the same type continuously can cause mineral imbalances to occur. Remember that carrots are high in sugar and best considered a "treat". Kale, carrot tops, dandelions, and parsley are high in calcium which could contribute to bladder sludge or stones for some rabbits. Kale, spinach, chard and parsley are high in oxalates which may cause kidney stones if large quantities are ingested over a long period of time. Therefore, these veggies should not be given in excessive amounts on a daily basis. For a larger list of acceptable vegetables check out the vegetable information in the diet section

Article from Binky Brief newsletter Spring 2001