Does anyone know how to keep rabbits from eating the vegetable plants in my yard

1. 94

   Rachel L Albaposted 9 years ago

   Does anyone know how to keep rabbits from eating the vegetable plants in my yard?

   replyreport
2. 93

   Just Ask Susanposted 9 years ago

   I was reading that chicken wire would help to keep the rabbits out.
   http://www.bhg.com/advice/gardening/ani … t-is-safe/

   replyreport
   1. 94

      Rachel L Albaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Susan,  it's a good idea.

      replyreport
   2. 99

      DrMark1961posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Susan I hope you are doing well! If the rabbits really want in they will dig right  under the wire though.

      replyreport
3. 99

   DrMark1961posted 9 years ago

   The only way to keep my free range rabbits confined is a wall. The base of the wall is about 30 cm deep, concrete, and when they start to dig under they hit concrete and then dig laterally.
   If you cannot put up a wall, a fence that has a base is the next best thing. Wire on the surface will not do it as they will dig under.
   If you cannot put up a fence, the only solution is container gardening. I let my rabbits into my garden area to eat the grass and weeds for me but all of my plants (tomato, pepper, cucumber, carrot, lettuce) are in containers so are higher than the rabbits are looking for. Rabbits can leap really high--they can jump up in the containers but never do. BTW, you can plant squash and pumpkin on the ground, but not sure about other veggies. My rabbits never mess with them, nor do they like the taste of my citrus trees.
   If you do not like container gardening, the last choice is a repellent like blood or urine. Rabbits hate the smell and will avoid the area, but they do not work as well as a wall. (Also, you can look into the Havahart traps. You will still lose some vegetables in the meantime but it is a fairly inexpensive method of decreasing your bunny population.)

   replyreport
   1. 94

      Rachel L Albaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Dr. Mark, I'm happy to hear that the rabbits won't touch the squash, we have a lot of those.  So far they only ate the cabbage plants, and the cabbage hasn't even appeared yet.

      replyreport
4. 85

   prettynutjob30posted 9 years ago

   I always plant peppers, on the outside of my garden, I plant them all around it. This usually keeps them, and other little critters out of my garden. This method is also safe as well, because it won't hurt them, it will just let them know your garden has spicy food.

   replyreport
   1. 94

      Rachel L Albaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Mary, thanks for your answer.  Are the peppers you plant hot peppers?  I do have green pepper plants but not sure if you were talking about those.

      replyreport
5. 69

   Dressage Husbandposted 9 years ago

   This question appears to have been well answered. Since rabbits can burrow and jump, the solution is to prevent both. Walls and wire around and under are both solutions that I have heard work.
   
   Plants that they do not like all around the edge may work, but they may still burrow in by going under.
   
   The best solution will probably depend on the size of the area you wish to protect. To keep bunnies out I think you will need to bury the fence or wall at least a foot and 18 inches or more is probably better. Good luck.
   
   Raised beds would work, but again the height required may make this a difficult solution.

   replyreport
   1. 94

      Rachel L Albaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Stephen,  thanks for answering my question.  The size is a little too large for my husband to build a wall or a base for the fence.  I have heard after I asked this question there is something on the market that will help that has a bad order.

      replyreport
   2. 69

      Dressage Husbandposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hopefully that works we tried a product to stop the horses eating fence posts, but they seemed to like it more. They thought it was a special seasoning just for them! LOL. In the end we placed plastic drainpipes over the posts they ate it works!

      replyreport
   3. 94

      Rachel L Albaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      LOL,  I guess animals are smarter then we think.  Thanks again. Stephen.

      replyreport
6. 60

   The Examiner-1posted 9 years ago

   I read the one on the vegetable garden. Another site for a regular garden said use chicken wire 24" - or more - high. Bury it for at least 6" - or more - and bend away from garden.

   replyreport
   1. 94

      Rachel L Albaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Examiner for taking the time to help me with our problem.  I am going to give all of these suggestions to my husband.

      replyreport