How to Keep Rabbits Out of Your Vegetable Garden, According to Experts

Rabbits are undoubtedly the cutest of backyard critters, but they can wreak havoc on your garden beds—especially if they are overflowing with growing fruits, vegetables, and perennials. Home gardeners and professionals alike know the damage rabbits can inflict, from nibbled-on flower buds to chewed leaves and half-eaten strawberries, rendering crops inedible.

As annoying as they may be, Sonya Harris, founder and CEO of The Bullock Garden Project, explains that it is important to remember that rabbits are still part of nature. "The outdoors is their home, and humans are encroaching on their natural habitat," she says, noting that these often preyed-upon creatures are likely taking refuge in your lush yard. That doesn't mean you have to hand over your harvest. Luckily, there are effective, humane ways to discourage rabbits from raiding your garden beds. Read on for expert-approved strategies to keep your garden protected and bunny-free.

How Rabbits Can Damage Your Garden

As charming as they are, rabbits can do a lot of damage to plants. In some cases they can quickly eat plants down to the roots, says John Clements, director of the San Diego Botanic Garden. In other words? Your production efforts become soured and harvests are either lackluster or nonexistent.

It's best to be on your guard when your garden comes back to life in the spring since rabbits "typically nibble on the tender new growth and will try anything once," says Harris. This includes trees, especially during cold weather. "They will chew on the trunks of trees and shrubs during the winter months to help sharpen their teeth," she says.

As for the plants they always love, without fail? On the flower front, it's best to protect impatiens, pansies, petunias, young sunflowers, asters, tulips, crocus, lilies, poppies, daisies, phlox, and zinnias, notes Harris. Apples, beans, pepper, broccoli, Swiss chard, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, black and red raspberries, blueberries, lettuce, spinach, and okra are also food favorites.

Signs of Rabbit Activity in Your Garden

It's not always easy to catch a rabbit in the act. Instead, you'll need to remain on the lookout for signs of rabbit activity.

• Fecal pellets (dry, round, and brown)
• Chew marks on bark and plants
• Plants that have disappeared or are eaten down to the root
• Digging, especially around the perimeters

How to Keep Rabbits Out of Your Garden

So what's the best way to keep rabbits out of your garden without harming them in the process? You've got a handful of effective options.

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. Opt for at least 6 inches deep and around 3 feet high.
• Chicken wire: "Use chicken wire with a one-inch mesh or smaller," says Angelo Randaci, master gardener and horticulture expert at Earth's Ally. He notes that you will need to adequately stake the netting so bunnies don't start burrowing. "Dig the wire into the ground 6 inches or so to prevent rabbits from digging underneath."
• Plant cages: "Making small cages from hardware cloth—strong wire fencing—to protect the plant will allow plants to become established," Clements says. Only growth that emerges beyond the cage becomes susceptible to being eaten.
• Raised beds: Lifting enticing plants off the ground with raised beds can keep them out of sight and out of reach for bunnies. "Grow vegetable or container gardens in a raised bed or tall container, about waist high," Harris says, adding that this is also easier on your knees and back. Hanging planters keep them out of reach, as well.
• Motion-activated sprinklers: Sprinklers that turn on when they detect movement can help deter bunnies from chowing down on your produce.

Try Intimidating Objects

The old scarecrow tactic might work, but there are similar tactics that are surprisingly effective. Try these deterrents to keep bunnies on their toes:

• Artificial snakes or owls: These can work well if they look real or if you find ones that occasionally move or have motion.
• Moving pinwheels or reflective objects: Motion and light reflections can startle rabbits and other critters. Choose items that move slightly with the wind from time to time.

Rabbits are clever and may eventually catch on to your tricks. To stay a step ahead, try to:

• Replace or rotate decoys: Change their locations or swap in new ones.
• Let your pets roam: A dog patrolling the yard is often enough to convince rabbits to stay away (keep an eye on them to keep both dogs and bunnies safe).

Use Repellents

You can purchase or make your own rabbit deterrents. "Rabbit repellents are available, both chemical and organic. Most of them are contact or taste options that make the plants unpalatable to these creatures," Randaci says. "Others are odor repellents and do not need to touch the plant."

And while homemade DIY sprays may offer some protection, they are not as long-lasting—and all repellants need to be re-applied post-rainfall or after you finish watering your plants, which makes them higher maintenance overall.

Eliminate Enticing Hiding Spots

If you live in an area where bunnies run rampant, landscape accordingly. "Rabbits love anything that can be a shelter, such as low shrubs, bushes, and grasses, so keeping those trimmed may help," Harris says. "Eliminate areas they can hide, and it will make your garden an unwanted place for rabbits to reside."

Grow Rabbit-Repelling Plants

Another method to try? Mix in plants that are not appetizing into the landscape to deter feeding, Harris says. Encore azaleas, boxwoods, hyacinth, daffodils, allium, butterfly bushes, Japanese maples, mountain laurels, rhododendron, peonies, lamb's ear, sedum, primrose, yucca, Russian sage, speedwell, geranium, wax begonia, cleome, and vinca are not so tasty to these creatures.

Eliminate Points of Entry and Nesting Sites

You might need to catch a rabbit in the act so you can retrace its steps and block its point of entry; this method might also lead you to nesting sites, such as overgrown grassy areas and wood piles, says Randaci. Remove them promptly, but never while young rabbits are in residence. Also, never try to pick up a rabbit, as it is a wild animal and may carry disease.