Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
9th April 2022
Hoppy Easter
After posting a photo on social media of two young rabbits ‘mowing’ my lawn last week, with the caption “Increasing fuel prices mean new fuel-free mowers.” I was soon engaged in a thread of people asking, ‘as a gardener, why did I let rabbits in my garden?’ The short answer is, “Have you tried stopping them?” But to be honest, I like seeing them – and as long as they don’t annihilate my plants – which they haven’t done – then I’m happy to share my garden with them. I have had to put chicken wire around the veggie beds but that’s okay too; I live in the country, I like seeing wildlife around the cottage.
One friend also sent the most beautiful photos of some rabbits he has bred, asking if I wanted more. I don’t, but he has some looking for good homes. I am hesitant to promote pet rabbits right now as they are for life, not just for Easter, but I am trusting you lovely readers to be sensible and responsible and ask that you don’t just get one (or two – as they need company) on a whim please. They just happen to be ready for new homes now. Rabbits, especially the mini lops, make the most amazing pets and, as a kid, I was lucky enough to be allowed to keep several. One quickly became fond of her creature comforts and spent most of her time in the house with our dog. I also used to take her for a walk in a cat harness; they are easy to train and love human company.
I have also had pet rabbits as an adult, and they shared a garden with my terrier-ist, a handful of bantams and a tortoise. They all had their own hutches or coops to sleep in but just had the run of the garden during the day. It was lovely (although admittedly unexpected) to see them all ‘socialising’ together. When I first moved to the cottage I took in a rescue-bunny, a huge lop eared softy, who used to wander up the lane to next door every morning for a piece of toast. I have no idea how he avoided the local dog-walkers but he did. Neither am I sure how the whole ‘toast for breakfast thing’ started but it is such a lovely memory. Animals are just the best. And I never ceased to be in awe of how my dogs have always got on so well with my rabbits – but please be warned, it’s not always the case and please err on the side of caution if you are introducing a rabbit to a ‘dog-house’.
Phil also has the most amazing Belgian Hares for sale.
They are not a ‘true’ hare but have been bred to resemble the wild European hare. As well as being stunning, they are exceptionally intelligent and are notorious for responding to their names and coming to food. They need the same care as other rabbits.
For more information and advice call Phil on 07583542333 or email philparry50@yahoo.com but please, only if you can offer a forever home.
Hap-pea Easter
For the last couple of years I have always tried to send ‘alternative gifts’ to friends for Easter. Let’s face it, we can do better than chocolate. The pretty perennial, Chocolate Cosmos, always gets well received – and the flowers really do smell like chocolate. You’ll probably find it available in your garden centre now.
You can buy seeds of course – which are easier to post – but Cosmos atrosanguineus is a perennial so be prepared to wait a while.
Last year I grew some peas in egg-shells, put in egg boxes (see pic). When you plant the peas out simply crush the eggshells and plant, as they provide great nutrients for the young plant. They were well received too and you’re not too late to do the same. They won’t germinate before Easter weekend but think of the added pleasure of your recipient being able to witness those new green leaves pushing through the compost.
For Dog’s Sake
If you are planning an Easter Egg Hunt – please remember where you put the eggs and make sue they are all accounted for.
Chocolate is so bad for dogs, and really dark chocolate can kill them. And it can happen to anyone – last year I had a real scare when Yogi rummaged through my works bag and ate half a small bar of 80% cocoa chocolate, which I had totally forgotten was there.
I rushed her to the vet who gave her an injection to make her sick and said, because of the nature of the chocolate and the fact Yogi is a small dog, another couple of hours would have been fatal. Just imagine if I hadn’t seen her with the empty wrapper. I still shudder at the thought.
Not surprisingly, vets record a huge increase in ‘poisoned dogs’ being admitted over Easter – please make sure it’s not yours.
Unicorn Magic
You know I love my mad, magical and even mythical ‘National Days’, and today (9th) is National Unicorn Day. Possibly the most popular mythical creatures in the world, this day aims to raise awareness and celebrate the history of unicorns as a part of human mythology.
I love the fact that during a conversation with a friend a few years ago, it transpired that she thought unicorns actually existed (in the forests of Sweden) and was also convinced that sea horses were fictional.
The word unicorn comes from the Latin word ‘unus’, meaning one, and ‘cornu’ meaning horn and it is thought that the animal behind the initial description of a unicorn was probably the Indian rhinoceros.
At the risk of giving too much away about the calibre of my friends, another insists rhinos are fat unicorns.
Infuriatingly, those ‘serious, suited, grown-up people’ have stolen the word unicorn and used it in the business world. ‘Unicorn’ is now a term used in the venture capital industry to describe a privately held start-up company with a value of over $1 billion. Why they can’t just find a new word all of their own is beyond me.
Meanwhile, back in the ‘real world’, you’ll be reassured to know that a group of unicorns is called a ‘blessing’, because it is believed that unicorns can only be seen by those who are virtuous, and a baby unicorn is called a ‘sparkle’ or a ‘shimmer’.
Find out how to celebrate Unicorn day in style here.
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