Bunny Gardening: How To Grow Food For Your Pet Rabbit
Many people are shocked to learn that rabbits, like their wild cousins, can survive on a high-fibre diet of fresh vegetables, greens, and hay. Rabbits are herbivores who prefer to eat plants and vegetables than live prey or grains. For this reason, it’s important to include lots of fresh greens in your rabbit’s diet. Growing your greens is a great way to ensure the freshest, healthiest ingredients for your rabbit. Here is how to grow food for your pet rabbit:
Begin with a Good Location
You need to consider about where you’ll be growing your rabbit food. The best location will be an area that receives adequate sunlight and is close enough that you can replant and water regularly. Choose a spot that’s easy to reach so you don’t have to walk too far with grocery bags full of lettuce and greens. A good option is to grow greens in pots on your deck or patio, if possible.
Soil that’s Rich in Nutrients
Soil is, of course, the most important factor for bunny gardening. You want to plant your greens in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) soil because these three nutrients are essential for growing healthy leafy greens. One important nutrient to remember is the all-important nitrogen (N). Plants need adequate amounts of nitrogen to grow, or they’ll die at the first sign of nitrogen deficiency. Knowing the precise amount of nitrogen your soil contains is important before planting your greens. A soil test will give you the amount of nitrogen your soil contains, so be sure to get one before planting.
Who Will Be Auditing Your Greens?
Growing greens by hand can expose you to various potential hazards related to the size of your garden. There’s also the possibility that a neighbor might see your greens and want some for themselves! It’s best to have someone else check on your greens daily so that you know they’re growing in a healthy environment. You can always turn them into an educational gift for their child’s school project or work classroom.
How do You Know When They Need Water?
Check for moisture twice a day, morning and evening. Run your finger along the surface of the soil to test for moisture, careful not to disturb the roots. There should always be some moisture in your soil; if it feels completely dry, add more water! The soil should also never feel soggy or wet, as this will cause an abundance of bacterial growth in your plants, which they won’t survive without proper care.
Watch out for pests
If your rabbit lives outside, you’ll have to watch closely for pests such as ants and rabbits! They’ll easily be able to pluck the crops from their source, which would be an absolute disaster. Make sure you put up some form of fence or hedge, so this can’t happen. Alternatively, plant the food in a pot, so it’s easier to move around.
Plant a variety of plants!
The best thing to do is to plant a wide number of different types of plants; this way, your rabbit will have a great start with its diet, and you’ll have more variety in the food your pet eats. You could even rotate them between different patches, so there’s always something new for them!
Lettuces
You can choose several lettuces when it comes to bunny gardening. These include romaine lettuce, oak leaf lettuce, buttercrunch lettuce, and mesclun mix.
Kale Recipes
Your rabbit will be delighted with kale in their lunch or dinner dish! It’s a beautiful, leafy green vegetable that looks similar to other types of lettuce, but it’s more nutritious and stronger flavored than most. If you grow kale indoors, it is recommended that you find a steady spot where the leaves can get full sun exposure (or, better yet, move it outside).
Alfalfa Sprouts
Your rabbit will also love alfalfa sprouts, bright green, and mild flavor. You’ll want to grow alfalfa sprouts by planting them in a light soil mix with some humidity added.
Parsley
Another great choice for your rabbit’s greens is parsley, a low-calorie herb that adds lots of flavor to meals and will make your plant unique among others growing nearby! It’s also packed with nutrients like potassium and vitamin C, so you can feel good about feeding this food to your family pet.
Watercress
Watercress is another excellent choice for greens and is even considered by some to be a great source of vitamins and minerals for rabbits. Watercress also contains antioxidants, which can help strengthen your immune system.
Radishes
If you love the spicy taste of radishes, why not grow them in your garden or home? You’ll be able to see them grow from seeds into young seedlings until they reach maturity. Your rabbit will love the root, too! Make sure to have these on hand if there aren’t other greens available for your rabbit!
Collard Greens
Collards are another lengthy leafy green vegetable that can add flavor and nutrition to your rabbit’s diet. They’re packed with vitamin A and fiber, vitamins K and C, calcium, iron, and potassium.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a popular ingredient in many preparations for humans and rabbits. Broccoli’s leaves are also edible for your rabbit, but one of the main reasons it’s included in the list of greens is because it’s packed with nutrients, including protein and vitamin C (which helps boost the immune system). These vegetables also help improve digestive health.
Celery
Celery is a crunchy veggie you can add to your rabbit’s greens. It’s packed with sodium, which helps hydrate your rabbit’s urinary tract and kidneys. The celery leaves are also edible, so feel free to include those in your recipe!
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are great for rabbits because of their vitamin C content and crunchy texture, adding flavor to any salad, stew, or plate. You can grow bell peppers or purchase them fresh near the other vegetables in your local grocery store.
If you’re a rabbit owner, you know the perennial struggle of keeping your rabbit healthy and fed. Lettuces, scallions, kale, parsley, and watercress are just some of the plants that rabbits love to nibble on (and they help keep their skin soft!), but finding those ingredients is a challenge for many pet owners. In addition to these plants, bunnies also need sunlight and fresh water in their habitats.