Hello!

There are several things that you can do to deter rabbits from your garden.

1. Remove hiding places. Rabbits like to hide from predators, so if there are less hiding spots available, they will be less likely to enjoy being in your garden.

2. Add chicken wire around your edible plants to a height of at least 2 feet. It needs to be a fine mesh so that they can't squeeze in. Ideally, the wire would be buried an inch or two underground as well so that the rabbit can't get underneath. It can also be pinned to the ground with garden staples. If you are fencing in plants, be sure that no rabbits/burrows are inside. Even if the rabbits don't make their own burrows, they may take over abandoned ones from other animals.

3. Repellants are another option, though they aren't as effective as fencing. The rabbits may be unaffected by them or get used to the taste. Additionally, the effects on edible plants would need to be considered.

4. Interplanting with plants that they don't like may deter them.

5. Raised beds that are at least 2 feet tall should be safe. This probably wouldn't work for this year, but it's an option for next year.

A combination of the ways to deter rabbits will be the most effective. You'll want to see what works for you and your yard.

Resources:

Living With Wildlife: Rabbits

Protecting Gardens from Rabbits | Yard and Garden (iastate.edu)

Dakota Gardener: Protecting Your Vegetable Garden From Pesky Rabbits — Extension and Ag Research News (ndsu.edu)

Regards,

Leo Sherry

OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Thanks!