How To Keep Rabbits Out Of Garden

Let's face it; everyone hates unexpected guests! So, imagine my surprise when I found the imprints of rabbit paws in my garden.

It all started last spring when I planted tulips and lettuce, only to find the fresh bulbs uprooted and the leaves half-chewed. Now, I knew what was up immediately because my neighbors have complained about pesky four-legged furry creatures gnawing at their petunias and berries several times.

Although they were being bothered by squirrels, I could tell it was rabbits infesting my yard from the fur and fecal pellets left behind. With their voracious appetite and high reproductive potential, it was only a matter of time before my entire yard would be full of them, and all my beautiful plants would have half-munched leaves.

I had to find a foolproof solution! Initially, I began chasing them away with a stick, but then I turned to the internet for help. There were many creative methods, and I've got the best tried and tested ways right here in this guide for you.

Hi there! I'm Stacy Smith. And today, I'll tell you all about how to keep rabbits out of garden.

So, without further ado, let's begin!

Keeping Rabbits Out Of The Garden

There are many ways of keeping rabbits away from the garden without harming them. Out here, I've highlighted some of the most effective methods that have done wonders for me. Let's take a look.

1. Fencing And Netting

I'll begin this guide by talking about the most effective method of keeping rabbits away. With the help of a one-inch thick mesh, construct a wire fence around the garden. Usually, you'll need a 2 ft high fence to keep out cottontail rabbits and a 3 ft tall fence to prevent the jackrabbit variety from jumping over.

Furthermore, the lower end of the mesh should be buried at least 6 inches into the ground to prevent rabbits from digging under it. Ideally, you should use metal fencing because it doesn't rust, and rabbits cannot chew it down.

Another method of keeping them away is by protecting individual plants and shrubs using one-inch thick poultry netting. Use the mesh to create a cylindrical form around the plants and bury its lower end at least 3 inches into the ground to prevent rabbits from burrowing under it.

You can also opt for electrical fencing for temporary control, though it is slightly expensive.

2. Habitat Removal

If you've unknowingly created a hospitable environment for rabbits, it is time to get to work and actively remove it. Rabbits seek shelter in dense vegetation, debris, weed patches, and so on. So, if you've found evidence of their nesting, clear out and block the area to prevent them from coming back.

Eliminate woodpiles, low and dense shrubs, weed patches, and debris buildup. This will force the rabbits to seek shelter elsewhere and reduce their population in your garden.

3. Repellents

I first read about this method in Country Gardens and was quite impressed by its efficacy. Chemical repellents are applied on trees, vines, and other plants, and it works by creating an unpleasant odor, stickiness, or taste. Thus, this makes the food inedible for rabbits, and they leave your yard to look for edible foliage.

However, I do not recommend taking this route because applying chemical repellents to plants makes them inedible for humans as well. Besides, you have to reapply them frequently, especially after it rains.

So, if you choose to opt for this technique, remember to read the label instructions carefully and check what potential hazard the repellent poses for your crops.

4. Predators

You'd be surprised to know how helpful my dog has been in keeping rabbits away from the yard. Not just dogs, rabbits make an attractive food source for foxes, owls, and hawks. So, instead of chasing away these natural predators, let them be active in your garden and assist you in keeping rabbits at bay.

Also, they rarely pose any danger to you or the plants. Hence, they are the perfect and long-term solution to your problem.

5. Plant Selection

While you'd think hungry rabbits will devour anything, they are pretty selective with food. They have preferences based on taste, odor, presence of prickles, etc.

So, one of the best ways to discourage feeding is to populate your yard with such rabbit-resistant plants. The plants include onions, leeks, tomatoes, basil, mint, and flower plants such as marigolds, geraniums, and wax begonia.

Although this technique is not fully effective, it can significantly reduce the rabbit population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those were the most effective methods to keep your garden rabbit-proof. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions.

Final Words