July 5, 2026
One of the hazards of growing zucchini is convincing the local wildlife that you’ve planted it for yourself. Last year, a rabbit sampled one of mine. Not content with a polite nibble, it removed a substantial portion of an otherwise perfect vegetable.
When I bent down to inspect the damage, I discovered something unexpected. After consuming nearly half the squash, it left me a bite shaped like a heart. Not a symbolic heart. An actual heart-shaped bite carved into the side of the zucchini as neatly as though the rabbit had attended art school.
I doubt it was intended as an apology. More likely, the rabbit was simply losing interest after such a large breakfast.
Still, the moment reminded me of something I’ve been trying to learn for years. If we choose to garden in partnership with nature rather than in opposition to it, we should expect to share a portion of what we grow.
The rabbit had apparently collected its share.
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