29
December
2009
Bill Rose
Excavator/small haul
Servicing Comox Valley
250-650-ROSE
What a wonderful Christmas Season here in the Comox Valley. These late December days have seen more fog than snow, but a few flakes have fallen from the sky to bring smiles and giggles.
Now that the big day of celebration has passed most of us have a mountain of recycling to separate and a full canister of kitchen scraps waiting for the composter. As usual the compost comes last on the to-do list this time of year; we throw it scraps and maybe a handful of leaves and rush back indoors to enjoy time with family and friends. Is this not usually the case?
Granted the compost slows down in the winter, but with a little care and attention it will continue to cook. Remember it isn’t too far in the future and you’ll need that soil to start seedlings. If you’re not too choosey about weeds growing in your seedling box you can add ½ compost and ½ garden soil when planting seeds, and contrary to popular belief you CAN and SHOULD plant seedlings in 100% compost! I was floored by people (aka experts) who frown upon the use of 100% compost in vegetable beds when I’ve been doing it all along with fantastic yields. After all, the greatest gardener since the dawn of time hasn’t made a run to the shops to buy soil with miscellaneous additives. Can you imagine Mother Nature needing a bag of topsoil when she makes her own?
Compost makes healthy soil; healthy soil makes healthy and more disease resistant plants; and healthy plants grow healthy food.
Keep it simple and keep it real, look to Nature for time-tested advice and you won’t be fooled.
Patty Rose
The Yard Diva
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26
November
2009
What’s wrong with rabbits?
It’s true, rabbits with their big dark eyes and heavy lashes are the stars of many children’s books and what would Easter Sunday be without those baskets brought by the ever loved Easter Bunny! The truth is that when domestic rabbits get free or are set free they become a hindrance in the neighbourhood.
Here are some bunny facts: A doe can be breed pretty much any time, the gestation period is 31-32 days and after the babies are 4 weeks old she’s ready and fertile for another bunch. There is no ‘rest’ time for a doe; she can produce kits in all 4 seasons.
Wild rabbits have an inherent right to be able to live in the wilds and semi-wilds and we do have to share our space and some veggies with them, but the domestic ones should be caught and a home for them should be sourced. The wild and domestic rabbits are easy to identify by looking up your local rabbit, if the rabbit in your garden looks different in size, coloring or how their ears lay then you are likely looking at an escapee.
I’m going to tell you about a good and dear friend of mine who borrowed my live trap to cage a couple of domestic rabbits on her property. We did our research and the best advice was taken in the setting and bating the trap. Then it happened! The trap doors slammed shut and inside the trap was a very cute and likely hungry RAT! Well, this happens some times, but I had to giggle when she told me that she released the rat across the street in a wooded area. That little guy was likely back in her yard quicker than she was!
Here are some things to think about before you decide to trap an animal.
* Make a plan. What will you do with the critter after you’ve caught it? Please don’t take your problem critter and release it to be someone elses problem.
* Remember it’s not the critters fault that they are a pest to you. Be humane and respect the critter as a living creature. If you are going to destroy it be sure it is quick and painless.
* If you don’t have the time to release the critter into the wilderness that they belong AND you cannot destroy the animal in a humane manner then consider fencing options, plant more so that you can share it with the critters or opt to buy into a community garden that is fenced for your veggie produce. Community gardens are reasonable to rent and it is a fantastic social outlet.
So, my dear and wonderful friend, I do hope you catch those rabbits and a wonderful new home can be found for them. In this case it is a domestic-gone-wild rabbits, so there has to be some empty hutches someplace to welcome them.
One more thing…..If you have a rabbit AND you don’t want it anymore AND you don’t want to think of it being eaten by some stranger then be responsible and KEEP IT! DO NOT believe that it is better in the ‘wilds of the neighbourhood’. It is NOT!
Patty Rose
The Yard Diva
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