An Emergency Rabbit Fence by Helen Gabel

What to do?  Throughout the 2013 season we had noticed more and more rabbit predation, probably due to the construction of a major housing development across the street. During the 2013-2014 winter the rabbits became more and more desperate, chewing down every morsel of uncovered green, including kale stalks and garlic!  

We had covered a row of chard with plastic against the last major freeze.  Patricia and I uncovered it last week, as some of the outer leaves were getting slimy.  We came back the next day with a roll of remay, only to discover that overnight the whole bed had been eaten!  

The Biogaians talked for most of an evening about our options.  Patricia, Tom, Jean and Brian had developed a plan for an aesthetic ranch-style wood-and-wire fence for the most visible parts of the garden, along with a more utilitarian farm-style wire fence for the rest.  Only problem is that the estimated cost is just under $3000, and our 2014 budget for hardscaping is $400.  

The momentum of the discussion was clearly towards a beautiful, permanent fence.  However, the permanent fence involves concrete footings and gates that would take time to install even if we had the money in hand.  My anxiety as seed-starter was high, and I spoke my concerns about needing something sooner, even if it was not beautiful or long-lasting.  The group listened carefully and we began to brainstorm alternatives.  

Someone remembered that Brent, Director of Acquisitions, had a quarter-mile of fishnet rolled up in the Journeys area.  We agreed that we would try to string up an emergency fishnet fence as soon as possible, while using this year's money to install some gates and arbors that could become part of the permanent fence.  This was an idea that was nowhere on anyone's radar until our mutual creativity brought it forth.

Post-pounders were used to set the posts, while Brent and I went to fetch netting.  That's Phil by the gazebo.

Very quickly, one long, long continuous line of netting was hung over the twine.

Saturday afternoon an intrepid group gathered at 2pm.  It was sleeting, and cold cold cold.  The dim light is apparent in the photos below.  Were we crazy?  We made a lot of jokes about Farmer McGregor and Wiley Coyote.  

We had decided to experiment with protecting one of the garden quadrants, the northeast.  Brian and Patricia set the corners, and the posts (which Tom had purchased earlier in the day) were laid out. 

When Brent and I returned with the cart, we discovered that all the posts were in place and twine had been strung tightly between them, leaving one gap for a "gate."  

Very quickly, one long, long continuous line of netting was hung over the twine.

In 75 minutes we had constructed an emergency rabbit deterrent!  It remains to be seen whether our fence is sufficiently human-friendly AND rabbit-forbidding.  But we all went home for hot chocolate feeling very, very good about our community's capabilities.