The Bunny Garden

[Roberta]

Hoping our wonderful Forum Leaders will see merit in this topic and possibly pin it for ongoing activity.

There are frequently questions about growing greens for our buns especially during winter or high summer when some of the greens are hard to purchase. What if we could all share our ideas for growing bunny greens indoors and out all year round on a shoe string budget.

Here’s one to start things off. Endless celery grown from the stump of a bunch that would normally end up in the bin or on the compost heap.

http://gizmodo.com/5915081/how-to-grow-unlimited-celery-without-entering-the-contra-code

I already have a couple in the garden and it looks like they are starting to sprout.

 

 

[jerseygirl]

Haha, I enjoyed reading that article and the humour.

I actually learnt that celery could be sprouted from the stump from my 7 year old nephew. I knew you could get carrot tops to keep sprouting from putting top if carrot root in water. I wonder if then planting it would then give more generous amount of carrot greens? I’ve gotten the top to sprout before but only gotten a few delicate fronds, nothing substantial.

I’ll have get photo of my mini wicking bed and post it. My Mum put it together & brought it to me last week. She has high hopes… Lol. I am sadly a terrible gardener. It’s situated at the front door so I’ll have less chance if forgetting to add water. :\

[Roberta]

Hi JG,
Yeah, I just discovered the celery stubb trick..
As to carrot tops I grew one in Tasmania in a pot that was huge and so lush. If I had buns at the time they would have loved it. Generally considered a childrens project it is something that can actually add to the bunny garden as well as teaching children about propagation etc.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/grow-carrot-tops.htm

 

 

[Toady]

You can also do the stub trick with bok or pak choy. If you’re running low on room or no room at all grow some greens or grass in foam broccoli boxes, they’re not too heavy even when filled so can be moved depending on the weather.

[jerseygirl]

That’s what my wicking bed a is, foam box. Rather ugly but practical. I’ve got done plastic crates I’m think of converting if I’m successful with my 1st wicking box.

I pulled 2 parsley plants from the ground that weren’t doing much of anything. They did have healthy amount of roots though. I planned to put them in this pot but um… I put them on outdoor table and forgot about them for a day. In 35C + heat. Did I mention I’m terrible with gardening?
When I remembered them I put them in jug of water and cut plant down to short stump. What do you think my chances are in revival? Have I murdered yet another plant?

[Roberta]

Parsley does like it a bit boggy but I have had them recover from full heat exhaustion before…. Mint grows well from cuttings if you have bought some, just keep a few sticks aside and pop them in some water. When they sprout roots put them in some soil somewhere moist or in a pot under a leaky spigot.

[Roberta]

Well a couple of weeks on and the planting of the bok choy and celery stumps is a success. The bok choy is throwing lots of new leaves and is going to be huge, the celery is a bit slower but the new shoots in the middle are getting nice and thick… Will have to put some more in and start experimenting with some others. I wonder if it would work with a fennel bulb ?

[jerseygirl]

Roberta, did you put the celery straight in a garden bed. Or potting mix? Mine is ready to be planted I think. I’m not sure whether its worth putting a plastic guard around it or not. :\

Fennel is worth a try. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. You might even be able to get the wild variety going.

[Roberta]

I put my celery straight in the garden bed. I have an old double brick duplex built in the early 70’s (the bathroom is hideous) and the kitchen area whilst huge only has a very small sink and preparation area so keeping stuff in jars in there is not possible. If I put them anywhere else the cats will assume they are theirs and push them over. I have two of those raised aluminium garden beds. I dug a hole, put the celery stump in level with the top cut and pushed the soil up to the sides, kept it watered and there is now a lovely large tyft of foliage coming out the top…. The bok choy is romping along… I will have to try some carrot tops tonight.

as an aside, do you have any experience with severe ear mite infection ? I will PM you… A friend is involved in a rescue in Pitssburgh and the vet can’t see the bun till tomorrow and its ears are literally grey crusts. She has called an emergency vet but they want $500 to attend and $500 to treat.

[Roberta]

The wild fennel doesn’t have a bulb like the Florence fennel. I am watching the plants on the verges and waiting for a good seed crop for the wild fennel. Luckily I got some nice florence fennel seedlings from work. They seem to be doing well, they would probably be doing better if it wasn’t like a blast furnace here most days.

[jerseygirl]

I have an old double brick duplex built in the early 70’s (the bathroom is hideous)

Oh do tell! Orange and brown maybe? Mines late 50’s and Green and Yellow. Very patriotic. lol

[Roberta]

Orange and brown ? Close…. Purple and Brown at some stage they painted it candy pink. It is currently white but I have plans for the easter weekend Bwahahahahahahaha!

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