Regarding Rabbits

It isn't by accident that rabbits have long been associated with fertility. I recently learned that, over a single season, a female rabbit can engender up to 800 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. That's a whole lot of Thumpers. This is not a fact I chose to highlight when teaching a recent rabbit-themed preschool program. Instead, I focused on more child-friendly rabbit facts, followed by a rousing whole-class rendition of the Bunny Hop.

Spring is a wonderful time for rabbit watching. Unfortunately, it's also a time when many children (and adults) stumble upon seemingly abandoned baby bunnies and decide to intervene. This is a big mistake! Mother rabbits only need to feed their babies twice a day, for about two minutes per feeding. During the remainder of the day, they're free to frolic through the clover while their babies snuggle in shallow, fur-lined depressions (often in my vegetable garden). When well-intentioned humans attempt to "rescue" bunnies, they're actually depriving them of the maternal feedings that will ensure their survival.

Bunnies (known in more scientific circles as "kits") depend on their mothers for a mere two weeks. My preschoolers and I were thrilled to spot one such recently independent rabbit on a walk to the Arboretum's Funshine Garden. When confronted with a mob of three- to five-year-olds, the rabbit froze long enough for us to appreciate his soft brown fur, velvety ears, and trembling nose. Scared stiff? Probably. Or maybe just posing for a chance at Disney stardom.

by Jenny Houghton
Youth Program Coordinator

Sowing the Seeds of Love

In my former life as a French teacher, I briefly tried to raise my infant daughter bilingually. Although that effort failed, I'm proud to announce that, ten years later, she's proficient in the language of the Arboretum. Just last week, in a spate of sibling jealousy, she declared, "Mom, it's like I'm the native plant, and my little sister is the invasive weed, choking all the goodness from my life." Ouch.

The little sister in question, at not quite three, is learning the language as well. Shortly after being accused of being an invasive weed, she announced, "Lyra, you can still come to my fairy princess birthday party...as the poison ivy fairy. I'll be the rose petal fairy."

Though not native, the peace rose is among my favorite flowers. For obvious reasons, I think I'll plant one this spring.

by Jenny Houghton

Youth Program Coordinator

Learn about gardening for free-range chickens on May 15

Keeping a small backyard garden flock of chickens is fun and rewarding. My flock consists of five Plymouth Barred Rock hens, and I just added four baby chicks that are about a month old. My ladies love to scratch the soil with their feet and hunt for bugs all day long. They enjoy resting under some shrubs and will take a dust bath in the soil and leaf mulch. Their favorite part of the day is when I welcome them out of their coop in the morning with pieces of bread, and they follow me everywhere I go in our fenced backyard.

My hens reward me with eggs almost every day, and I must say there is nothing like eating a fresh egg! They also help aerate my soil and keep my soil rich in organic matter. I love working in my chicken gardens and sharing time with my flock.

Free-Range Chicken Gardens by Jessi Bloom, a new book just released in February, has become one of my favorites, and I'm so excited that the author will be at the Arboretum on Tuesday, May 15 for a book signing and talk. The evening begins at 6:30 and will include wine and cheese. I hope you can join what I know will be an exciting and entertaining evening. Jessi is an arborist and a certified professional horticulturist, as well as a lover of chickens and gardens!

To reserve a seat for this free talk, call 410-634-2847, ext. 0, or visit www.adkinsarboretum.org and click on "Programs and Events."

By Robyn Affron

Visitor Services Coordinator

Certified Professional Horticulturist