In Spring, I wrote a piece called "The War on Rabbits, Goodbye Rudbeckia spp!" Now for part 2. My garden, the Bee Better Teaching Garden, has lost interest. The color and pollinator activity has diminished significantly. 

I'm taking a new approach to bring back my beloved coneflowers and black-eyed Susans!

The concept—chicken wire! And, more specifically, black chicken wire.

Black recedes, so it's not in your face, causing a significant distraction. 

Many products are cuter but also costly. Black chicken wire, on the other hand, is a cost-effective solution.

15 inches high of black chicken wire to make lengths to form a cylinder around the plant. I secured the ends with zip ties and then used a short rebar woven through the wire to hold them in place.

While it is true that new growth sticking out from the wire will get nibbled, at least the plant will remain. If left to a rabbit's own devices, the plant will be nibbled to the ground. I have personal knowledge of this!

Until soon,

Helen Yoest

#WeCanAllBeeBetterNaturally!