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
Dakota Gardener: Protecting Your Vegetable Garden From Pesky Rabbits. Consider elevating your gardens or using fine-mesh fencing to keep rabbits out.
What keeps rabbits out of your vegetable garden? ›
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.
What is the most effective rabbit repellent? ›
Specially formulated to deter rabbits and hares, Plantskydd stops small critters before they bite. Plantskydd is the #1 most tested, #1 most effective and #1 longest lasting animal repellent, proven by professional growers and landscapers.
What can I put around my plants so the rabbits won t eat them? ›
Repel 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.
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.
Will coffee grounds keep rabbits out of the garden? ›
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!
Does Irish Spring soap 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.
What smell do rabbits hate the most? ›
Alliums: Plants in the allium family, such as onions and garlic, have a strong odor that is unappealing to rabbits. Marigolds: Marigolds have a strong, pungent odor that is unpleasant to many pests, including rabbits. Mint: Mint is also a deterrent.
Does Dawn dish soap repel rabbits? ›
To keep your rabbits away organically, make your own pesticide at home that's free of chemicals. Mix warm water with dish soap, garlic cloves and hot sauce and spray your plants right before the sun goes down. Spray the plants that rabbits have targeted in the past and watch your garden become rabbit-free in no time.
What is a natural deterrent for rabbits? ›
These include plants with prickly leaves, such as holly and rosemary, and plants with strong scents, such as lavender and mint. By planting these kinds of plants around the garden's perimeter, you can create a natural barrier that will keep rabbits out.
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.
How to rabbit proof a garden? ›
Rabbit-Deterring Tactics
Fencing that's about 18 inches tall with small one-inch openings, such as chicken wire, can be placed around individual plants, beds, and also be secured to the bottom of a taller fence with larger openings.
What is the cheapest way to keep rabbits out of your garden? ›
Rabbits detest onions, so either planting onion bulbs or sprinkling cut onions around your beds is an easy way to repel them. Repeat the method with Irish Spring soap, hot peppers, garlic, or talcum powder for a similar effect.
What scares rabbits the most? ›
Scare them away. Lights, shiny aluminum pie tins, and motion scare devices can be enough to ward off rabbits, at least for a time.
Is liquid or granular rabbit repellent better? ›
Since liquid repellents cannot be sprayed in temperatures below 40 degrees, granular is a great option for repelling pests in the colder months. Safer® Brand Critter Ridder® Animal Repellent Granules contain the same ingredients that the spray repellent has, making it an effective deterrent against animals.
What smell keeps rabbits away? ›
These include plants with prickly leaves, such as holly and rosemary, and plants with strong scents, such as lavender and mint. By planting these kinds of plants around the garden's perimeter, you can create a natural barrier that will keep rabbits out.
How to get rid of rabbits in the garden naturally? ›
Plants like nasturtiums, garlic, onion, rhubarb, oregano, basil and geranium are effective at keeping rabbits out of garden beds.
How do I rabbit proof my garden? ›
Rabbit-Deterring Tactics
Fencing that's about 18 inches tall with small one-inch openings, such as chicken wire, can be placed around individual plants, beds, and also be secured to the bottom of a taller fence with larger openings.
