Planting a rabbit garden is not only one of the easiest ways to save money when owning a pet rabbit, but it can be a rewarding and healthy way to provide fresh, nutritious food to supplement its diet. The rabbit food pyramid lists fresh greens as well as fruits and veggies as part of its daily diet. How great would it be to walk out your door and clip some sprigs of dill and romaine lettuce for bunbun’s dinner! The new year always marks a great time to start planning your rabbit garden.
So what exactly is a rabbit garden and how does it differ from any other garden? Well, the process of gardening is the same, but what is planted is the difference. Rabbits benefit from a diverse diet. Include a variety of plants that will provide different nutrients and flavors. Identify the plants that your rabbit likes and are safe and healthy to consume. Examples include parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, mint, carrot tops, kale, and various lettuces.
Let me preface by saying first and foremost, any plant going into your rabbit garden should be safe for your rabbit to eat. If you are unsure, please do some research or ask your vet. Ensure that the plants you choose are non-toxic to your furry friend. Definitely avoid plants such as those from the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants), onions and certain flowers.
Now that you’ve decided to make the foray into growing a rabbit garden, begin by thinking about what your rabbit loves to eat, what you can reasonably grow and the type of garden you want. For example, in addition to their romaine lettuce, my rabbits love kale. Kale is a hardy plant and easy to grow in my zone, but as we all know it is high in oxalates. Since it is only an occasional treat I only grow 2-3 plants.
Regional Factors for a Rabbit Garden
U.S. Zone Chart and European Zone Chart
A key factor to gardening a bumper crop is to know which “zone” you live in. Gardening zones are a guide as to what and when you can plant based on average frost dates. Someone living in zone 10 will have a different grow schedule than someone in zone 3. A great resource for gardeners in the United States is the Almanac. Type in your state or zip code and it will give you a planting calendar! (Unfortunately, I could not find a similar tool for European Countries so if anyone knows of one, please send me the info).
My suggestion is to create a list of your rabbits favorite foods, check the zone you live in, then cross reference what you can grow and when. Besides herbs, leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, consider planting grasses, clover, and dandelions.
Some other things to consider: the amount of space you have, the type of soil you have, the length of time the sun shines on the spot where your garden will be planted and if there is local wildlife that could eat your produce.
Plan Your Garden Layout
Creating a chart is a great tool to help you plan. List the items you want to grow in one column and pertinent info in consecutive columns. You can add more items such as soil type, water schedule, sow from seed or transplant etc….
Location, Location, Location!
Following the recommended planting guidelines for each plant, you can now designate a specific area for your rabbit’s garden. The amount of sunlight, water and soil type are other factors to consider when grouping your plants. Select a sunny spot with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day unless you have plants that need shade.
Lettuce Be Friends
Planting “compatible” plants (certain plants grown together) has benefits: they can help deter pests, promote growth and possibly improve each other’s flavors. They can attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Taller plants can create shade for shorter plants that need partial sun. Compatible plants can improve soil fertility as well.
Abundance For Bun
In order to have a continuous supply of fresh food for your rabbit, plant annuals and perennials (think edible flowers), as well as planting in stages so plants can be harvested during different months. Many things like lettuce and chard continually grow whereas peas and radishes grow late spring and fall. If you are really enthusiastic, you can also try growing some fruit trees!
Put It To Bed
Don’t have a large, flat, level area in your yard? Consider using raised beds or containers. Containers are great for decks and can be brought inside when the weather becomes inclement. Your buns will LOVE eating from a container inside!
Planting an Autumn Harvest Garden
Many people tend to associate planting a garden in the spring or early summer, however there are items that can be planted in late summer for a fall harvest! Remember that plants in the brassicas family should be given in small amounts sporadically as they can cause gas.
Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and lettuce grow well in cooler weather. They can handle light frosts and continue to produce until winter.
Radishes: Fast-growing radishes can be planted in late summer and harvested in about 3-4 weeks.
Carrots: Carrots planted in August will develop sweet, crisp roots by fall. They typically take about 8-10 weeks to mature.
Broccoli: This cool-season vegetable can be planted in late summer for a fall harvest. It generally takes about 70-100 days to mature.
Brussels Sprouts: Planting in August allows these to mature in cooler weather, which can enhance their flavor. They take about 90-100 days to harvest.
Peas: Plant peas about 8-10 weeks before the first expected frost. This gives them enough time to mature before the weather gets too cold.
Planting Tips
- *Test the soil to check for any nutrient deficiencies. Till the soil, add any organic matter (such as compost or well-rotted manure) or nutrients to improve the soil structure.
- *Define the garden beds to keep the grass from growing into the plants. Brick, stone or railroad ties are good options for this.
- *Follow the recommended spacing and planting depth for each plant. (some vegetables can be started indoors before the growing season. This is particularly useful in regions with short growing seasons. Follow recommended guidelines for seed starting, including using seed-starting mix and providing adequate light.)
- *Water the plants immediately after planting to help them establish. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
- *Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- *Provide consistent watering, especially during dry periods. Avoid overwatering to prevent waterlogged soil.
- *Use an organic fertilizer.
- *Install supports for plants that may need them, such as stakes for peas or trellises for climbing vegetables.
- *Prune and thin plants as needed to promote airflow and reduce disease risk.
- *Monitor regularly for signs of pests and diseases. Address any issues promptly to keep your plants healthy.
- *Protect your plants by using natural barriers like fencing to protect young and vulnerable plants from deer and other wild herbivores.
- *Harvest vegetables at their peak ripeness. Regular harvesting encourages new growth which will provide a continuous supply of fresh food for your rabbit.
Alternative Rabbit Garden Ideas
A rabbit garden doesn’t need to be large to be effective. Containers can be grown inside near a large window or glass door. Herbs are easy to grow on a windowsill and add great flavor and health benefits to your buns dinner. Don’t throw away those romaine ends…they can be regrown in a jar of water! Look for a future post on indoor gardening!
My Personal Tips
- Order multiple seed catalogues. They contain a wealth of information about planting the seeds. You can also find interesting varieties such as purple carrots, multi colored radishes and items you may not find in your grocery store.
- Draw out your garden bed before planting so you can visually see what will go where. After all, you don’t want tall plants blocking the sunlight of shorter plants!
- Let’s talk fertilizer….Use your rabbits poop! It’s natural, free and has no pesticides.
- Dehydrate your excess harvest for use during the winter months.
- Remove plant debris at the end of the season to reduce the risk of diseases overwintering. Consider cover cropping to improve soil fertility during the off-season.
- Next year, practice crop rotation to improve nutrients and organic matter and your soils overall health.
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, like myself, carrots, radishes and lettuces are easy to grow. Take a chance, plant a garden, save some money and give your bun a healthy treat!
