Rabbit Damage

Due to the excessive snow and cold temperatures, many of our beautiful shrubs are not looking their best and little rabbits are to blame. Rabbit damage is now showing up in the country or in town.

Rabbit damage has been especially dramatic this winter because of the snow cover. Rabbits naturally have vegetation that they can feed on in the early spring, but this season they had no other option than to eat whatever they could to survive. Even plants that are not typically eaten by rabbits have damage. Most damage has occurred on Hawthorns, Crabapples, Burning Bush and Cotoneasters.

Because of the snow fall, the rabbits were able to get to higher areas on plant stems and trunks than they typically can reach. Winter rabbit damage can usually be identified in a few different ways. A few sure tell sign to know if a rabbit is to blame is to take a look base of your plants. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell, especially when they have been eaten completely to the ground. It will look as if they the plant were neatly pruned at a 45-degree angle just above the height of the snow.

Rabbits typically eat only what they can easily reach, so most damage occurs on the first 1-2 ft depending on the amount of snowfall in your area (the more snow, the higher up the rabbit damage). If the rabbit left the branches, bark is typically stripped away from the stems and trunk of the plant.

It is not too late to take preventative measures. For backyard bunny issues, exclusion is probably the best method for the winter remaining. Fencing around susceptible trees and shrubs is advised, but certainly not easy to do right now due to snow. Any screening or fencing needs to be pushed down to at least ground level, which will be difficult in 2 feet of snow. I like the plastic tree collars applied around the trunk of smaller trees which are more susceptible like apple and pear.

Scare tactics don’t always work well for rabbits. A dog might help while it is outside, but family pets should not be left out during the cold and especially not at night, which is when rabbits are most active.

I used taste repellents, however, they always need to be reapplied.

Drones Used in Farming

Farming has come a long way since the days of horse and plow. Every year, there are new and exciting developments being made which could further change the way we farm. Now drones are used in farming and ranching.


1. Cyber grazing and electronic fencing

Fencing may be one of the oldest management tools for controlling livestock movement and access to pasture, but it seems it could have finally had its day.
Today there are virtual fencing prototypes have relied on GPS technology which keep animals in a defined area thanks to an animal-mounted device which delivers a shock or noise like a dog collar to keep livestock away from an area. Then mark the controlled area for the cattle to recognize colored flags or light indication when to or not move to another pasture.


2. Farming from the skies with drones

Drones are used to monitor grass use or to identify crop growth. Also, to identify weeds and diseases growing in those crops.
3. Farmers are now using spray drones to spot spray in their crops or pasture.

Time to Organize your Garage

This time of the year may be a good time to organize your garage. The first step of garage organization is to look through the space and determine what items should or can be stored together, such as:

Gardening supplies and tools

Sports and hobby gear

Seasonal items, such as holiday decorations

Household tools and hardware

Automotive tools and supplies

Paints and combustibles (paint should not freeze)

Garbage and recycling 

For items that you’re getting rid of, sort into three piles: recycle, toss and donate. Once you have your plan and you’ve selected your storage options, it’s time to start getting things back in order. Here are some ideas.

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