Keep the Rabbits Out

Few things test a gardener’s patience like hungry rabbits. You put countless hours of thought into cultivating your beautiful plants, only to step out in the morning and find your hard work has been munched down to a nub. Flowers are gone. Leaves are ragged. And the delicate little sprouts you were so excited about? Trampled or vanished overnight.

Let's be real – rabbits are adorable, and play an important role of the ecosystem, and this does mean they need to eat, too. But when your garden starts to look like an all-you-can-eat buffet, these fluffy foragers can do a surprising amount of damage in a very short time.

But with a few thoughtful changes, you can encourage natural wildlife in your yard while also protecting your plants. There are several ethical ways to deter rabbits from munching in your garden that just require a little planning and adjusting, and you won’t need to build a fortress around your veggies.

What Attracts Rabbits

Before moving forward, it is important to understand the motivations of plant-perusing rabbits. As strict herbivores, these critters are on the lookout for just about any tasty plant they can sink their teeth into. They love grasses, flowers, certain weeds, and have a preference for young vegetable plants.

Seedlings are high on their list. Lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens are basically treasure for rabbits. And yes, the image of a rabbit tugging at carrot tops isn’t just a cartoon, it’s completely accurate. They’ll pull up the greens and sometimes the root with it.

Once a rabbit finds a reliable food source, they’ll be back. And chances are, they’ll bring a few friends next time. That’s why the key to keeping your garden safe is making it less inviting and a bit harder to access without sacrificing beauty, functionality, or the variety of plants you love to grow.

Structural Deterrents

For immediate impact, keep the rabbits out completely by creating a physical barricade that prevents them from even encountering your plants. The best way to do that is by building a short fence with a few important specifications:

Height: To keep rabbits from jumping over and foiling your plot, be sure the fencing will be at least 2-3 feet tall above ground.

Material: Chicken wire is the best material as it is durable, inexpensive, and easy to maneuver for shaping around a garden. Be sure the holes are no larger than 1 inch for effective fencing.

Depth: Rabbits don’t just jump, they also dig their way to a garden! Be sure to bury the bottom 6-10 inches of the fencing material underground to prevent rabbits from sneakily breaking in.

Individual beds may be surrounded with fencing, or even just particularly vulnerable plants – it's the gardener’s choice.

Plant Deterrents

While no edible plant is 100% rabbit-proof (especially if they’re hungry enough), there are plenty they usually pass on. These plants tend to have stronger scents, fuzzy or leathery leaves, or a taste they don’t like. You’ll also find that a lot of rabbit-resistant plants are also deer-resistant, which is a bonus if applicable to your garden.

Here are a few plants that are considered rabbit-resistant:

Cardinal Flower: This flowering perennial is considered generally inedible for most critters, containing a very unpleasant bitter taste. While it dissuades rabbits from a garden, it will invite friendly pollinators.

Blanket Flower: It may have gorgeous blooms, but the hairy texture of its foliage means rabbits will move right along rather than stay for dinner.

Yarrow: Known as an all-around pest-proof plant, planting Yarrow around the garden will keep all sorts of unwanted visitors at bay. Whether due to the fragrant foliage or unusual fuzzy texture, rabbits are somehow disturbed by this pretty plant.

Wild Geranium: If you need a groundcover to ward off rabbits, this plant is the best pick. The fragrant foliage keeps rabbits away.

The key is to look for plants that have a strong fragrance or unusually textured leaves. Culinary herbs also work beautifully. When rabbits go up to a garden to browse, they will be dissuaded by these types of plants. It is recommended to edge gardens with these plants to create a sort of natural forcefield against rabbits.

Be Less Inviting

It isn’t just potential food that draws rabbits to a particular space, but also some other necessities.

Hiding spots: Get rid of brush piles, tall grass, or low shrubs near your garden, as these are spots rabbits are likely to hang around to feel safe from predators.

Opt for Raised Beds: Raised beds are easier to isolate with fencing, and add an extra height barrier against rabbits.

Spread Rough Mulch: Coarse bark mulch or hard woodchips are less comfortable to hop across than soft soil. Straw-based mulches will also attract rabbits as a potential food source, so definitely avoid those.

Other Tricks

Motion-activated sprinklers can be set up to keep rabbits at bay, scaring them off and preventing them from viewing the garden as a comfy place to snack.

At hardware stores, you can pick up commercial repellents to spray directly on plants as an ongoing solution in particularly vulnerable spots. But you don’t need to spend a ton of money, as DIY sprays are quite easy to make. Blend garlic, cayenne pepper, and water, and simply spray on leaves or at the base of plants to turn rabbits away from their favorite foods. Be sure to wear gloves when applying any spray.

Patience really is part of the process when it comes to keeping rabbits out of the garden. Every yard is a little different, and sometimes it takes a bit of experimenting to figure out what actually works with your local bunny crew. Try mixing a few methods and give it time, don’t worry if it’s not perfect right away. A lot of these tricks not only help with rabbits but also make your garden stronger and more resilient overall. And in the end, your plants will thank you for it.