My New Friend

Beyond Springfield there is a valley and open fields.  We love the view and the peace and quiet of nature and we have learned to live alongside the wildlife it brings, even if some people would regard some of the animals as pests.

There many early mornings that we see half a dozen rabbits grazing in the orchard and from time to time they venture further up the garden for a rummage in the borders or a play on the lawn.  They think they visit unseen but of course our ankles find the holes they leave behind and there are droppings everywhere.  

Mr Macgregor’s Garden is fenced off with ‘L’ shaped chicken wire and trellis because we did not think they would take any notice of Doc's ‘Rabbits Keep Out’ sign.  We also have high, raised beds and this does appear to help deter them.   In any case, there is a huge choice of food they can eat because the neighbours also have large gardens with plenty of lush munchings.  There is loads of space for everyone to share.

So, there is no need to trap the rabbits and make pies with them.  Any new ornamental borders are planted with hope (“let’s see if the rabbits destroy that.....”) and some plants have survived and some have not.  Anything precious is wrapped in chicken wire and the young fruit trees in the orchard have little jackets around the base of their trunks.

Yesterday, I was down on the plot picking sweet peas and enjoying the birdsong, when I noticed a cotton tail poking out of the grass near the raised bed where some tasty courgettes are growing nicely.  I suggested the rabbit move along by firmly shooing it away.  It looked me in the eye and then continued to graze.  I put down my snippers and trug and walked across to it.  And when I say right up to it, I mean within a couple of feet.  

With a mouth stuffed with clover, he/she looked at me again.   I looked at him. It was definitely a face off.  Again, I politely suggested he leave.  No response.

Usually, rabbits are shy creatures.  They will graze if undisturbed but if you go near them, they hop off into the hedgerow.  Not this one.  This one is friendly.  This one wants to stick around and get to know me.

Today, my ‘new friend’ was in the same spot again, laid on his side and basking in the sunshine.  He does not look poorly, it munches the grass and today it hopped onto to the raised bed to investigate the courgette plants which is not something I wish to encourage.

If anyone, has any suggestions how I can persuade this fury visitor that it would be better for him and me if we keep our relationship at a distance, please let me know.  Gardeners have to choose their friends very carefully because there could come a day when I will have to choose either our friendship or a row of lettuces - and I will choose the latter.  Already I am beginning to think the rabbit looks cute and a certain name keeps popping into my head.  

Please go, Peter, before it’s too late......