The Hobbit Hole VII - But not yet weary are our feet...

[HairOfTheDog]

There isn't just one... In real life, they breed like... and if you think about it.... Elmer was never successful in getting his one rabbit!

[Overtaxed]

Is there a lot of stewed coneys in your future?

[HairOfTheDog]

Not a chance. I don't want to shoot rabbits.... I save them from my pets remember? We won't have a garden unless we can keep them out of it with fencing.

[RosieCotton]

Remind me never to tick you off...

[Lil'freeper]

We had some particularly aggressive wabbits in southern AZ where I grew up and they gave my Dad fits in his garden. What he ultimately ended up doing was making a fortress: He dug a deep trench, put in rolled up chicken wire. Above that he sunk about a third of a piece of sheet metal- this formed the bottom portion of the wall around the garden. The rest of the walls up to about 10ft was more chicken wire. Over the top was even more chicken wire- very effective for keeping out birds. He threw palm fronds on top for dappled shade (it got hot!! in the summer). The only critter that got in there was the occasional king snake.

I'll tell you, that garden was glorious. He ran tomatos and pole beans up cages and into the chicken-wire roof. You could literally walk in and pick veggies from the ceiling. Very happy childhood memories. I think the reason I'm so determined to succeed with this garden is to pay homage to him.

[Lil'freeper]

No worries. I like ya too much.

Besides, yer too smart to throw down the gauntlet like that. ;P

[HairOfTheDog]

I think the hard work of that kind of fortress is what is keeping me hesitant to start, because I believe that is the only thing that would actually work!

This horse mesh we have would do it, if we buried it some inches... but it's expensive for a garden of any size... ah well, maybe next year!

[Overtaxed]

You could have ecurbh sittin' out there 24/7 to keep the varmints out.

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't think sitting out guarding the garden all night is a real good way to live either. I would rather build a life around living where wildlife is than work day and night to rid myself of them. If I wanted to live without them, I could move to town!

[Overtaxed]

Won't have much of a garden, then.

[RosieCotton]

I wish I could have more of a garden this year...last year it turned out the spot where I tried to put herbs had so many ants that it just...didn't...work.

I'm wondering how hard (and how expensive) it would be to terrace the hill beside the house and try to plant a few things there. I imagine it's not something I could really do...not to mention it's probably all sand under the grass. But it sure would be nice to have a few things! Beans and lettuce and herbs and maybe cukes and such.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, that's true.... I am just not one to fight bloody battles with nature to control my little piece of ground. It is good critter habitat without me particularly attracting them with a garden. I have also decided I can't have both bird-dogs and farm birds.... It's just easier to work with the world as it is than fight against it!

[Overtaxed]

I'm just hoping I can grow something decent out on the patio. My lettuce is an inch and a half tall now.

[HairOfTheDog]

What about big half-barrels to plant some things in? - You could perhaps dig into the hill enough to sit them there. You can prolly plant some tomatos and cucumbers or lettuce in the same pot, and get several of them.

Big containers might be what we do in order to have a few things like tomatoes... I don't ~think~ rabbits can get things that are off the ground.

[Professional Engineer]

Military wives are some of the toughest soldiers around. Thanks for the picture.

[RosieCotton]

That might work, at least for vegetables. I'd still like to do SOMETHING with the hill...right now it's all overgrown with bushes and too steep to walk down easily. In my mind's eye I can picture a setup with steps and then levels of plants...but I know in practice it ain't that simple.

But maybe for THIS year I could look into doing steps and put a few barrels alongside the steps? That might not be too ambitious...

[Howlin]

Butting in here for a warning I just received in email:
URGENT NOTICE REGARDING POTENTIAL FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD IN RECIPE FOR
ICEBOX ROLLS ON PAGE 154 OF THE APRIL 2004 ISSUE OF SOUTHERN LIVING

Please DO NOT USE the Icebox Rolls recipe. Combining the water and
shortening as described in the recipe may cause the mixture to ignite,
is extremely dangerous, and could result in fire and safety hazards.
The correct recipe is currently available on our website,
southernliving.com. It will also be reprinted in the May issue of
Southern Living. If you have any questions, please call
1-888-836-9327.







***The recipe says 1 cup water and 1/2 cup shortening in small saucepan over high heat - boil for 5 minutes! .....

[HairOfTheDog]

Howlin! .... is this for real? - I am tempted to go boil some water and shortening! ~insert popcorn gif~

[Howlin]

Yes, it is! Be careful!

[HairOfTheDog]

Calling our chemist to ask why that combination would be particularly explosive...