Plant Protection - Ask Extension
I have a perennial garden that is partially destroyed every year by the deer and rabbits who eat the buds as soon as they appear on various plants/flo...
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Plant Protection #928373
Asked April 14, 2026, 1:02 PM EDT
I have a perennial garden that is partially destroyed every year by the deer and rabbits who eat the buds as soon as they appear on various plants/flowers and my Hydrangea bushes. My last resort has been to think of an electric fence but that has many negatives. Any thoughts I what I might do to help this situation?
Lorri Kreuscher, Bloomington, MN
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The best solution is a fence, 7 feet tall to stop deer, 2 feet tall with very small fence openings, as in hardware cloth for rabbits. I use chicken wire fencing bought with green vinyl covering to keep rabbits off of my hostas. It is not too visible from the street and is secured to the ground to keep rabbits from digging under it.
Prevention methods are barriers, described above, a dog to scare the varmints off, electric fencing for deer, but will not work for rabbits or spraying your plants to make them taste bad. Sprays stink when fresh applied and need to be reapplied periodically.
See these web pages:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/deer_barriersfencing_repellents_dog_restraint_systems_e2672
https://extension.umn.edu/central/protecting-plants-deer
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-protect-gardens-rabbits
Good luck
Prevention methods are barriers, described above, a dog to scare the varmints off, electric fencing for deer, but will not work for rabbits or spraying your plants to make them taste bad. Sprays stink when fresh applied and need to be reapplied periodically.
See these web pages:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/deer_barriersfencing_repellents_dog_restraint_systems_e2672
https://extension.umn.edu/central/protecting-plants-deer
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-protect-gardens-rabbits
Good luck
