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Although it was a lot of hard work to be sure, the 125 gardeners got their bare root plants. I enjoyed listening to the failures and successes of the gardeners. In fact, it made me feel right at home.

One gardener picked up his blueberry plants at my farm and he had quite a story to tell about rabbits. He ordered blueberry plants last year and felt quite proud of himself for amending the soil and planting his plants. He went in for lunch and when he came out the rabbits had already eaten the blueberries. I wondered what would prevent the same from happening this year, but he said he was ready for them by putting a fence around the plants. Therefore, I thought I would do an article on rabbits.

One of the most familiar critters to enjoy our gardens is the Eastern cottontail rabbit. The cottontail is a true rabbit as the young are born hairless, sightless, and nearly helpless. This is different than hares where the young are born with eyes open, are furry, and hop around shortly after they are born.

There are several reasons why rabbits over populate an area in a short period of time. A female may give birth to a litter of four to six young and within hours she may mate again. Three to four weeks later she will deliver another litter. It is not uncommon for adult females to have four litters in a summer.

There are two species of hares in Minnesota, the whitetail jackrabbit and the snowshoe hare. Both animals are larger than the cottontail. The whitetail is the largest member of the family in North America and will weigh from six to ten pounds. The snowshoe is intermediate between the whitetail and cottontail. Both whitetail and snowshoe change pelage color in winter, from brownish-gray to white.

Rabbits and hares may be kept out of small gardens by fences. A barrier 24 inches high of mesh poultry wire will do. Be sure the lower edge is either staked to the ground or buried to prevent animals from entering under the fence.

Where damage to trees is occurring it may be necessary to wrap the tree trunk with heavy tree wrap, burlap or a light-gauge metal or hardware cloth. Be sure to check the tree periodically to ease pressure on the trunk created as the tree grows.

Repellents can help prevent rabbits and hares from damaging plants. There are two classes of repellents commonly used. They are odor repellents and taste repellents.

To be effective, odor repellents must be used in areas where the animals are likely to hold their heads close to the ground. This occurs most regularly in spring as garden plants are just emerging. Naphthalene, blood meal, or bone meal may be effective until plant growth exceeds three to four inches. Beyond this height, odor repellents have little effects. Odor repellents are less effective in open environments.

Taste repellents are available at local garden supply stores. By law, all commercial repellents must be used according to instructions on the product label.

Although you may want to take the control of rabbits into your own hands, you may need to be reminded that all rabbits are protected in Minnesota. However, the law provides for the trapping and removal from private property of any rabbit that is causing damage. Check with your local Department of Natural Resources Conservation officer regarding procedures for trapping and removal of protected species.

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