Protecting with a new plan!

 This year we protect the fig trunks using the wrapping technique from last year. However, to spare the neighbors from the sight of ugly cloth wrapped around fig trunks we chose more subtlely-colored cloth to match the color of the trunks. One is more successful than the other choice but overall this year will be successful and discreet!

Success on the Branches!

Since the rabbits were not nibbling on the main branch trunks, the growth began with the start of the season and now there are MANY figs growing. All the branches look like the image above - so excited! If we can only keep them safe from squirrels!

New Data about the Rabbit Issue!

 For several seasons we have been working against winter rabbits who gnaw the bark off the fig trunks, essentially killing parts of the plants. The result is having to start over every season. A couple years ago, we wrapped the trunks with a cloth which seemed to benefit the whole situation but not completely. Last fall, we repeated the wrapping technique after pruning the extra branches so in the end the biggest, healthiest trunks were left and wrapped - about 5-6 per plant.  The trimmings were tossed onto a pile for later.

Lo and behold, when meeting the delivery of the new shed this spring, what do we notice - very keenly - is the pile of discarded branches have been nibbled in patches all along the lengths. NO nibbles on the wrapped trunks or any of the branches of the one fig plant that never got trimmed in the end. 

Clearly, leaving a pile of branches for rabbit nibbling diverted the little rascals from the actual plants. YeeHa!!  We may have a plan.