By Esther McGinnis, Horticulturist
NDSU Extension
As a child, I used to feel great sympathy for fluffy little Peter Rabbit in his battle to obtain Mr. McGregor’s prized lettuce.
As an adult growing a vegetable garden as well as costly ornamental plants, my sympathies have changed. Nothing is more devastating than discovering that a row of young pea shoots has been clipped to the ground overnight.
What are your options?
When it comes to your vegetable garden, consider elevating the height. Raised garden beds can place those succulent vegetables beyond the reach of rabbits.
Surprisingly, rabbits have a limited vertical jump height. A raised garden bed of 24 inches or higher is sufficient to deter cottontail rabbits. If jackrabbits (or the mythical jackalope) are the problem, the raised bed should be at least 36 inches high. Your back will thank you for the raised bed!
If you have an in-ground garden, fine-mesh fencing is the best bet. Those cute baby rabbits have no problems squeezing through a chain link fence. One-inch mesh such as chicken wire is small enough to deter the smallest rabbit.
Make sure that the bottom of the fence is snug to the ground or better yet, buried a few inches to deter the most determined rabbit. If you have a chain link fence, you can line the bottom with chicken wire to make it rabbit-proof.
Rabbits love tender leaves such as lettuce and spinach. If you can fence only a portion of your garden, grow vegetables that are less palatable in the unfenced area. Less preferred vegetables include onions, garlic, corn, asparagus, potatoes, tomatoes, rhubarb, cucumbers and squash.
Keep in mind that no plant is completely safe because individual rabbits have their own taste preferences and may be desperate for food, depending upon the time of year. I once planted a row of stinky marigolds around my garden to test whether the plants could serve as a deterrent. The rabbits in my area thought the marigold flowers were a gourmet treat!
The vast majority of rabbit repellents cannot be applied directly to vegetables or other edible crops. These repellents coat the foliage and stems with hot pepper, putrefied eggs, predator urine or other chemicals that make the plants taste or smell foul. They are suitable for landscape plants and not for plants that will be consumed by humans.
If using a repellent that is not labeled for edible plants, consider spraying the odor repellent on the soil around the perimeter of the plants rather than on the vegetables that you will consume. When in doubt, thoroughly read the label.
Finally, make your yard an inhospitable place for rabbits. Fill in existing burrows. American rabbits do not dig burrows but rather utilize abandoned dens from other mammals. Eliminate debris and brush piles. If you have rabbits nesting under your deck, consider enclosing the area.
Don’t feel bad if you feel more in common with Mr. McGregor than with Peter Rabbit. We adults just want to be able to harvest the fruits of our labor.
For more information about gardening, contact your local NDSU Extension agent. Find the Extension office for your county at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension/directory/counties.
NDSU Agriculture Communication - April 27, 2021
Source: Esther McGinnis, 701-231-7971, esther.mcginnis@ndsu.edu
Editor: Ellen Crawford, 701-231-5391, ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu
FAQs
The most effective strategy to stopping rabbits is to put a fence between them and the garden. Chicken-wire fencing is recommended. The fence needs to be at least 24 inches tall for cottontails and 36 inches for jackrabbits. Bury the fence 6 inches deep.
What is the most effective rabbit repellent? ›
Sage: The strong scent and flavor of sage can make it less appealing to them. Oregano: The strong scent of oregano can help mask the scent of other plants that rabbits may find attractive. Catmint: The minty fragrance of catmint can help mask the scent of other plants that rabbits may find attractive.
What keeps rabbits out of your vegetable garden? ›
Create Physical Barriers. Physical blockades—including fencing and netting—are one of the best ways to restrict rabbits' access to your homegrown flora and food. Perimeter fence: The most foolproof method to keep rabbits away from plants is a solid fence around the perimeter of your garden, Clements says.
What can I put around my plants so the rabbits won t eat them? ›
Rabbit repellents work by releasing a scent that rabbits find repulsive (often dried blood or garlic oil) or making plants taste bad (hot pepper or dried blood sprays). Flavor-based repellents are usually more effective. Just be sure to follow instructions carefully, especially as it relates to reapplying after rain.
How do you build a rabbit proof vegetable garden? ›
Bird or deer netting works well to protect seedlings or young plants. Simply place netting over plants and anchor the edges. Use chicken wire with one-inch or smaller mesh. As shown in the illustration at the top of the page, fencing should be at least 2 feet high to prevent rabbits from jumping over.
What smell do rabbits hate the most? ›
Although rabbit-proof plants don't exist, there are some that rabbits don't like because of their strong scents such as basil, garlic, rhubarb, hot peppers, spicy basil, and mint. Some gardeners say that marigolds keep rabbits out of their gardens, while others say rabbits actually like the marigolds they planted.
Does Irish Spring soap really keep rabbits away? ›
Irish Spring soap repels mammal pests, such as mice, rabbits, and deer. It does not repel insect pests, and it does not always eliminate pests completely. However, many have reported excellent results—and I am one. If you're looking for an effective way to send rabbits away, it's certainly worth a shot.
Do coffee grounds keep rabbits away? ›
Sprinkling coffee grounds among your plants may help to ward off rabbits and other small mammals due to coffee's powerful scent. Plus, it composts naturally over time, giving your plants some extra nutrients!
Can I spray vinegar on my plants to keep rabbits away? ›
Spray one part vinegar to three parts water and spray it around the property but away from plants. Soap rags in undiluted ammonia and place them (not near plants) where rabbits may be hiding or on trails they use to access your yard.
Will sevin dust keep rabbits away? ›
We are also plagued with rabbits. I've used Sevin Dust on newly sprouted beans for decades to keep rabbits from eating them. It works.
As a prey species, rabbits must stay constantly alert to potential danger. To scare rabbits away, some gardeners and farmers turn to fake snakes and owls, bags of human hair, old pie plans on stakes or dangling from a tree limb, automated sprinklers, and scattered soap shavings.
How do you make homemade rabbit repellent for garden? ›
If you're looking for an effective rabbit repellent, look no further than your kitchen cupboard. That's right - a simple mixture of water and citrus juice can help keep rabbits away from your garden. The citrus scent is unpleasant to rabbits, and the spray will discourage them from eating your plants.
What is the cheapest way to keep rabbits out of your garden? ›
“Consider placing daffodils, marigolds or lavender around the perimeter of your garden — rabbits dislike both their taste and scent, and will stay far away,” assures Jeniffer Smith, owner of UrbanHomeCorner.com. They also dislike onions and garlic, which you can plant to keep rabbits out of your garden without a fence.
What scares rabbits away from garden? ›
Powerful odors will deter rabbits. Garlic, peppers, and strong herbs like ginger and mint tend to keep rabbits away from your yard. A light mixture of water and strong-smelling liquid soap should also do the trick.
Does rabbit repellent really work? ›
Repellents only work part of the time. If an animal is hungry or even too young to know better, it will munch on anything. However rabbits are somewhat picky, especially about a scent, and repellents can be quite effective.
What are rabbits most afraid of? ›
What are rabbits afraid of? 'Rabbits are naturally fearful of anything coming from above, like their predators would. If we bend down to pick them up, that action is scary,' says Rosie. 'They also dislike being lifted up, as that's what happens when they're in a predator's mouth.
What is the most effective rabbit control? ›
Warren ripping is the best way to achieve long term rabbit control because when you target the warren, you remove the rabbit's ability to effectively breed, reestablish, and rebound.
