Field and Garden: Rascally rabbits and garden questions

My mom has enjoyed watching a litter of rabbits grow up in her backyard this spring.

The fun wore off last week, however, when the cute furballs began eating some flowers that she had recently planted.

“What can I do to get rid of them?” she asked.

“Your birthday’s coming up,” I said with a grin. “Maybe I’ll get you a slingshot.”

My mom ignored my comment, saying, “I’ve heard sprinkling blood meal around the plants may work. Apparently, the smell scares the rabbits away.”

“I suppose there is no harm trying,” I told her. “There are several chemical repellents on the market which claim to deter rabbits, and some of them contain blood meal.”

The repellents I’m referring to generally operate in one of two ways: either they make the plants distasteful to the rabbits, or they emit a strong odor that scares the pests away.

Unfortunately, I’m not aware of any research that has tested whether these products actually deliver on their promises.

If the products do work, then the effects may be short-lived. Rain can wash away the chemicals, necessitating reapplication.

If you decide to use a chemical repellent, follow the label instructions. Otherwise, the best way to stop rabbit damage is to put up a chicken wire fence around the garden or vulnerable plants.

The fence should be two feet tall. U-shaped landscape pins can be used to hold the fence tight against the ground so that the rabbits can’t crawl underneath.

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Here are some recent questions:

Q: How can I keep weeds out of my asparagus?

I recommend clearing out weeds that are already growing, either by pulling them out manually or using a hoe.

Once that’s done, cover the soil with a thick layer of mulch. Some weeds will manage to grow through the mulch, but they’ll be fairly easy to remove.

Next year, consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide like Preen or Preen Organic to control weeds. The products should be applied early in the season. They don’t work on weeds that are already growing.

Some gardeners used to pour salty water from their ice cream maker on asparagus beds. This is not recommended. Salt is very damaging to soil.

Q: What are these round growths on the branches of my oak trees?

The growths are oak bullet galls, caused by cynipid wasps.

The wasps release chemicals that prompt the growth of abnormal tissue on tree branches, forming a gall structure where their larvae develop.

Bullet galls are very common in oak and usually not harmful to the trees.

Q: Can I use grass clippings to mulch my garden?

Grass clippings are good mulch material; however, there are some conditions.

First, do not apply clippings if the lawn was treated recently with herbicides for controlling dandelions or other broadleaf weeds. Check the herbicide label for specific restrictions about using clippings as mulch.

Second, let the clippings dry before scattering them around your plants, and keep the mulch layer to about one inch thick. Too much mulch can block water and air from getting through.