Rabbit-Proofing a Vegetable Garden

10 Ways to Deter Rabbits from Damaging a Plot Full of Vegetables

Jun 9, 2008 Amy Urquhart

Trying a combination of remedies for rabbits in the vegetable garden will prevent a season's worth of fruit and vegetables from being devoured by these annoying critters!

While the presence of some animals in the vegetable garden can be comforting, there are few experiences as disheartening to the vegetable gardener, whether beginner or expert, than venturing into the veggie patch only to discover that a family of rabbits has been dining on the precious plants there.

Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent hungry abbits from gaining the upper hand in the vegetable patch!

• Erect a chicken wire fence around the entire garden. A chicken wire fence that encases the entire vegetable garden is probably the most effective, yet labour-intensive way to prevent rabbits from munching the garden down to bare stems. When erecting the fence, remember that rabbits are diggers, so the chicken wire must penetrate the soil level about eight inches deep.
• Create chicken wire cages or cloches for individual plants. Roll a piece of chicken wire into a tube, being careful to clip off or trim any sharp edges. Twist one end of the chicken wire tube into a point, creating a cloche. Cloches can be placed around individual plants to protect them from being eaten. Ensure the cage/cloche is installed several inches into the ground, or mound soil around the base.
• Sprinkle chili powder around the base of plants. The powder will need to be reapplied following any rainfall.
• Use blood meal around plants. A commercially available product such as Plant Skidd, which contains blood meal, can be spread around the base of vegetable plants. It does not have an unpleasant smell to humans, but animals will steer clear of the scent of blood.
• Place oven racks around plants. Some vegetable gardeners have reported that placing wire or metal oven racks around the targeted plants in their gardens have helped to prevent rabbits fromhelping themselves to the vegetables growing there. The rabbits reportedly do not like to step among or stand upon the racks, and will look for food elsewhere.
• Apply a Liquid Fence® product. Spray one of Liquid Fence’s natural animal repellent products around the edges of vegetable beds. These products are biodegradable, rain-resistant and pet friendly.
• Trap and release. Trap rabbits humanely in the garden and release them quickly into a habitat that matches closely that from which they were removed. Ensure that the animals are not left in the trap any longer than is absolutely necessary, and keep them out of extreme heat or cold.
• Plant rabbit-resistant perennials. The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, recommends planting rabbit-resistant perennials in areas they frequently visit. Interspersing some of these plants among vegetable plants may help deter them from eating the veggies nearby.
• Place branches over small seedlings. Protect small, tender vegetable plants by gently pushing branches into the soil surrounding the plants. The branches should make it too difficult for the rabbits to enjoy the food contained within.
• Mix a rabbit repellent tea. Homemade, organic mixtures that can be sprayed onto the surface of plants is often helpful. Place 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper and 2 tablespoons of garlic powder into a coffee filter and twist it closed. Place this makeshift teabag into a jug or pitcher and pour about 32 ounces of warm water over it. Allow the mixture to steep overnight. It may be preferable to allow the mixture to steep outdoors, as it has a potent smell! Squeeze the filter gently when removing it from the water, being careful not to rip or tear it. Pour the resulting brew into a spray bottle, adding a squirt of dish soap, which allows the spray to adhere to plants’ leaves. Spray the concoction liberally onto the plants that are most targeted by rabbits. This mixture will need to be reapplied following a heavy rain.

While making use of only one of these suggested remedies for rabbits in the vegetable garden, making use of a combination of several may just be the trick required to beat those bunnies at their own game!

The copyright of the article Rabbit-Proofing a Vegetable Garden in Vegetable Gardens is owned by Amy Urquhart. Permission to republish Rabbit-Proofing a Vegetable Garden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Rabbit in the back yard

A rabbit in a humane trap

A rabbit eats vegetables from the garden

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Comments

Jun 9, 2008 3:38 PM

Charlina Stewart :

I just planted a garden and this info really helps. Thanks!

Mar 25, 2009 7:14 PM

Guest :

Thanks so much! this was really helpful!

Apr 28, 2009 7:55 AM

Guest :

Multiplying like rabbits isn't a joke anymore. This year the rabbits sent invitations to their global family including all their friends. They ate every single one of my beautiful stargazer lilies to the nub. I bought the bag of rabbit repellant for $30 and applied daily to no avail...save your money. I have opted for ugly throw away sour cream and cottage cheese containers with the bottoms cut out to protect my new plants. I have tried hair and the natural remedy that includes an ingredient too disgusting to mention...not working! They have even started laughing at my big dog. My garden is to big and in too many places to fence the entire thing. Can anyone give me some other solutions????

Jul 1, 2009 2:12 PM

Guest :

I'm finding that spreading cat hair around the plants works well.

4 Comments