Learn how to keep rabbits out of your garden with effective strategies, natural repellents, and planting tips to protect your plants.
As an avid gardener with over 25 years of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of rabbit-related challenges. Some years, the rabbit problem isn’t so bad, but this year, they’re wreaking havoc in my gardens. I’ve got three different bunnies that I know of throughout my gardens. The damage has been significant, so I’ve had to employ several strategies to keep them at bay.
Through research and personal experience, I’ve compiled this thorough guide to help you protect your plants and flowers from these adorable, but persistent pests. But keep in mind, that what works in one garden may not work in the next. You’ll need to test things out to see what works best for you in your garden.
I’m going to share what has and hasn’t worked for me together with all the options you can try to keep rabbits out of the garden.
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Understanding Rabbit Behavior
To effectively keep rabbits out of your garden, it’s important to understand why they’re attracted to it in the first place. Rabbits are primarily drawn to gardens for food and shelter, making them a common nuisance for many gardeners.
Rabbits are attracted to gardens primarily for food. They love fresh, tender plants and can wreak havoc on your flower beds and vegetable patches. Recognizing the signs of rabbit presence—like clean-cut plant damage, droppings, and sightings at dawn and dusk—can help you take timely action.
How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden With Physical Barriers
Physical barriers are one of the most reliable methods for keeping rabbits out of your garden. Implementing proper fencing and using raised garden beds can create effective, long-term solutions. Here’s what you need to know!
Effective Fencing to Keep Rabbits Out
Fencing is one of the most reliable methods to keep rabbits out of your garden. Use a heavy-duty, galvanized steel mesh that is at least 4 feet high, with the bottom foot buried underground and the lowest 6 inches bent outward to prevent tunneling. This method ensures rabbits can’t jump over or dig under the barrier.
Raised Garden Beds
Raised garden beds not only make gardening easier but also add an extra layer of protection against rabbits. Ensure the beds are at least 2 feet high and consider adding a mesh cover to keep rabbits from reaching the plants.
When we built my raised beds in the potager garden, Chris added a lip for seating around the entire bed. The reason is two-fold. For one, it’s more comfortable to sit on. But second, it makes it a little harder for smaller animals like bunnies and groundhogs to climb in.
That said, bunnies can jump! So it may or may not be the best protection. In my former garden, I was using those raised beds made from corrugated metal and I found a bunny nest in it shortly after planting it up!
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How to Keep Rabbits Our of the Garden With Natural Repellents
Using natural repellents is a safe and eco-friendly way to deter rabbits from your garden. Certain plants and homemade sprays can be highly effective in keeping these critters at bay.
Plants That Repel Rabbits
Certain plants naturally deter rabbits due to their strong scents or tastes. Here are some effective options:
- Marigolds (Tagetes spp.): Known for their strong scent, marigolds can create a natural barrier around your garden
- Lavender (Lavandula spp.): The fragrant foliage of lavender effectively deters rabbits
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): This aromatic herb is disliked by rabbits
- Mint (Mentha spp.): Mint’s potent aroma can discourage rabbits. DO NOT PLANT it in ground as it is highly invasive and can take over your garden very quickly.
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum): The strong smell of basil can help keep rabbits away.
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare): Known for its strong fragrance, oregano can act as a natural rabbit repellent.
- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): This herb’s strong scent can help keep rabbits at bay.
- Garlic (Allium sativum): Garlic’s pungent smell deters rabbits.
- Onions (Allium cepa): The strong odor of onions is unappealing to rabbits.
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Chives, with their onion-like scent, can help repel rabbits.
- Daffodils (Narcissus spp.): Contain toxic compounds that make them unappealing to rabbits.
- Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum): Its texture and scent deter rabbits.
- Snapdragons (Antirrhinum spp.): Typically avoided by rabbits due to their texture and taste.
- Foxgloves (Digitalis spp.): Toxic to rabbits and other pests.
- Lantana (Lantana camara): Strong odor makes it unappealing to rabbits.
- Peonies (Paeonia spp.): Bitter taste deters rabbits.
While no plant is a guarantee because bunnies can eat anything if they are hungry enough, these are great plants to use as natural rabbit repellents.
How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden With Homemade Sprays
Creating your own homemade rabbit repellent is a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. A mix of garlic, cayenne pepper, and water can be sprayed around your garden to deter rabbits without harming your plants. Keep in mind you’ll need to reapply often as it will wash off with rain.
Using Commercial Repellents to Keep Rabbits Out of Your Garden
When dealing with persistent rabbits in your garden, commercial repellents can be an effective solution. These products are designed to deter rabbits through strong scents or unpleasant tastes, helping to protect your plants. Here’s how to use commercial repellents to keep rabbits at bay and maintain a beautiful garden.
- Start Early: Spray rabbit repellent on plant foliage as soon as your plants break ground or leaf out.
- Repeat as They Grow
- Repeat During the Season: Continue applying monthly throughout the season (more frequently if there’s a lot of rain).
Since I literally watched a cute little bunny devour my gomphrena this year right in front of me, I used this rabbit repellent that worked extremely well. It literally saved my gomphrena! That said, I noticed if I didn’t keep up with it weekly, that rabbit started nibbling again. So the short of it is…be aggressive with the sprays.
Creating an Unfriendly Environment
Rabbits prefer environments where they feel safe and can easily hide. By maintaining a clean and organized garden, you can make it less attractive to these unwelcome visitors.
Garden Cleanliness
Rabbits are more likely to invade gardens that offer ample hiding spots. Keep your garden tidy by removing brush piles, tall grass, and garden debris. This reduces the cover rabbits can use to hide from predators.
Removing Rabbit Habitats
Eliminate potential rabbit habitats around your garden. Secure the spaces under decks, sheds, and other structures where rabbits might nest. Use heavy wire mesh to block these areas effectively.
In my former garden, we added chicken wire beneath our shed to prevent rabbits and groundhogs from living under it. We used a staple gun to secure the chicken wire all the way around the shed and buried it about a foot into the ground to keep them from digging under. This method has proven effective in deterring rabbits from nesting in this space and protecting our garden from further damage.
Using Predators and Pets to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden
Leveraging natural predators and household pets can be an effective way to keep rabbits away from your garden. Their presence alone can be a significant deterrent.
Natural Predators
Encouraging natural predators like foxes, hawks, owls, and snakes can help control the rabbit population. Creating a habitat that attracts these predators can be a sustainable way to keep rabbits at bay.
Here are some strategies to encourage natural predators to visit and stay in your garden:
Provide Shelter and Nesting Sites
- Birdhouses and Nesting Boxes: Install birdhouses or nesting boxes to attract birds of prey like owls and hawks. Ensure these structures are placed in quiet, undisturbed areas of your garden.
- Dense Vegetation: Plant dense shrubs, trees, and ground cover to provide shelter for small predators like foxes and snakes. These animals need places to hide and hunt.
- Brush Piles: Create brush piles using twigs, branches, and leaves to offer hiding spots for ground-dwelling predators like foxes and weasels.
Create a Water Source
Adding a water source, such as a bird bath or a small pond, can attract a variety of predators, including birds of prey and amphibians.
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Food Sources
Planting native plants and installing feeders can attract insects and small mammals that predators feed on. For example, planting wildflowers can attract insects, which in turn attract insect-eating birds and small mammals.
Avoid Chemical Pesticides
Using chemical pesticides can deter beneficial predators. Opt for natural pest control methods to maintain a healthy ecosystem that supports predators.
Perches and Roosting Spots:
Install T-shaped perches in your garden to provide birds of prey with a place to rest and hunt. Preserve tall trees and dead trees (snags) as roosting spots for owls and hawks.
Reduce Human Disturbance
Designate certain areas of your garden as low-traffic zones (quiet areas) to encourage predators to visit and stay.
Pets
If you have dogs or cats, their presence alone can deter rabbits. Allow your pets to roam the garden occasionally, which can help keep rabbits away through their scent and activity.
In order for this to be effective, your pets will need to be outside almost all the time, particularly at dusk and dawn. I have two dogs and can tell you that having them around has not worked for me where rabbits are concerned. My girl dog Koda chases them out of the yard and they still come back!
How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden With Alternative Methods
Sometimes, alternative methods can be just as effective in keeping rabbits out of your garden. Reflective objects and humane traps are good options if physical barriers and repellents aren’t enough.
Reflective Objects
Using reflective surfaces or objects like aluminum foil strips or old CDs can scare rabbits away. These objects create visual disturbances that rabbits prefer to avoid. I’ve not personally tried this before but if you do it, let me know if it works for you.
Traps
Humane trapping and relocation can be effective if done correctly. Use live traps baited with carrots or apples, and ensure you follow local regulations for relocating wildlife.
I’ve used the havahart trap with groundhogs before but never tried it with rabbits. It’s important to set it up near where you think their home is and add lots of vegetation they love like carrots, lettuce, etc. to entice them in.
Let me tell you though, that I’ve caught raccoons, groundhogs, squirrels, and a skunk once (which was not fun to get him out). You’ll want to relocate the animal over 10 miles away, preferably near a water source, so it doesn’t come back.
The drawbacks to this method are that another bunny can move in and when you relocate an animal from its home, you are kind of sentencing it to its death. When they are relocated to an area where they don’t have shelter, oftentimes, they don’t survive the new predators that are lurking. I very rarely use this as a method for this very reason and prefer to exhaust all other means first.
Scat Mats
Scat mats are pretty effective at keeping rabbits out of your garden but you’ll need to buy enough to create the barrier.
Preventative Planting
Strategic planting can also help deter rabbits from your garden. Companion planting and using sacrificial plants are effective techniques to protect your main crops.
Companion Planting
Strategically planting rabbit-repellent plants among your crops can help protect them. Plants like hyssop, basil, and oregano not only repel rabbits but also enhance the flavor of nearby vegetables.
Sacrificial Plants
Planting a few sacrificial plants that rabbits love, like clover or lettuce, away from your main garden area can distract them from your valuable plants.
Adding Clover to Your Lawn
One effective strategy to keep rabbits away from your garden is to plant clover in your lawn. Rabbits love to eat clover and may be satisfied with munching on it, leaving your more valuable plants alone.
Clover is not only attractive to rabbits but also beneficial for your lawn. It helps fix nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for additional fertilizers. Clover is drought-tolerant, stays green longer than most grasses, and is resistant to many common lawn pests and diseases.
To learn more about how to add clover to your lawn, please see this article from the University of Maryland Extension Service.
How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Addressing common questions about rabbit deterrence can help you understand the nuances and make informed decisions.
Can rabbits climb fences or barriers?
Rabbits are not climbers, but they are excellent diggers and can jump quite high. To rabbit-proof your garden, ensure your fence is at least 2-3 feet high and extends at least 6-12 inches underground to prevent digging.
What types of plants are most vulnerable to rabbits?
Rabbits particularly enjoy tender, young plants and certain vegetables like lettuce, beans, and peas. They also tend to favor flowers such as tulips and pansies. Protecting these plants with barriers or repellents can be especially important.
Are there any scents that repel rabbits?
Yes, rabbits are repelled by strong scents such as garlic, onions, and certain herbs like mint and rosemary. Additionally, commercial repellents often use ingredients like putrescent egg solids, which have a strong odor that rabbits find unpleasant.
How can I tell if rabbits are the ones eating my plants?
Rabbits leave behind distinctive signs such as clean-cut damage on plants, round droppings, and tracks with a unique hopping pattern. You might also see fur caught on branches or evidence of burrowing near your garden.
What are some humane ways to control rabbit populations?
Humane methods include using live traps to capture and relocate rabbits, installing fencing to exclude them from garden areas, and employing natural repellents. Encouraging natural predators by creating suitable habitats can also help control rabbit populations humanely.
How often should I reapply homemade or commercial rabbit repellents?
The frequency of reapplication depends on the type of repellent and weather conditions. Generally, repellents should be reapplied every few weeks and after heavy rainfall. Always follow the instructions on commercial products for the best results.
Can I use mulch to deter rabbits?
Certain types of mulch, such as those made from pine needles or gravel, can be less appealing to rabbits. However, mulch alone is usually not sufficient to deter rabbits and should be used in combination with other methods like fencing and repellents.
What is the best time of day to observe rabbit activity in my garden?
Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk. Observing your garden during these times can help you identify rabbit activity and take appropriate measures to protect your plants.
How can I repair damage caused by rabbits to my garden?
To repair rabbit damage, prune any chewed stems or leaves back to healthy tissue, apply a balanced fertilizer to encourage regrowth, and protect the area with fencing or repellents to prevent further damage.
Do coffee grounds repel rabbits?
Some home gardeners believe coffee grounds can deter rabbits due to their strong smell but I have not had that experience myself. If you want to try it to see if it will work in your garden, sprinkle used coffee grounds around your garden to keep rabbits away.
Final Thoughts on Protecting Gardens From Rabbits
Creating a rabbit-proof garden requires a combination of effective rabbit prevention methods. By understanding rabbit behavior and implementing strategies such as physical barriers, natural repellents, and creating habitats for natural predators, you can protect your garden from these persistent pests.
Utilizing plants that repel rabbits and maintaining a clean garden environment will further enhance your efforts. Remember, a combination of methods is often the most effective approach so test things out to see what works best for you in your garden.
So how has it worked in my garden? It’s hard to keep them completely out without good fencing that goes into the ground but the repellents have been pretty effective at cutting down on the damage. At the end of the day, they are wildlife and part of what we deal with as gardeners.
It’s not ideal but there are some years where rabbits are more prevalent and do more damage than in other years. So the short of it is, I do what I can to prevent or minimize the damage in my gardens and try to grow around them.
For more information on protecting your garden from rabbits, please read this article from the Iowa State Extension Service.
Happy gardening!
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear! And feel free to share this post with anyone you think would find it helpful too.
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Enjoy your day! xo
