Protect Your Garden Against Rabbits

When we think about rabbits, the image of a cute fluffy bunny springs to mind, or maybe your favourite storybook characters such as Peter Rabbit and his sisters Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail.

For gardeners, the reality of rabbits in the garden conjure up the image of chewed up plants and general devastation.

How To Keep Rabbits Out Of The Garden

The best way of keeping these fluffy friends out of your garden is to prevent access. Other tactics include using repellents, trapping and also selecting plants that they dislike.

We examine the top tips for keeping rabbits out of the garden:

1. Fencing

As rabbits will usually enter your garden from adjoining land or woods, fencing is by far the most effective method from preventing access.

Having good quality, wildlife-proof fencing installed around your garden, is a surefire way of discouraging entry. Your fence should be at least 2 feet high to stop rabbits from jumping over and is should extend at least 6 inches below the ground to prevent them from burrowing under it.

Make sure you keep any gates shut when not in use and inspect your fencing regularly for damage, to make sure those clever bunnies haven't created an opening.

2. Netting

Using hexagonal wire netting for individual plant protection or as a barrier to your vegetable patch is anouther highly effective obstacle against rabbits.

For small or young plants, laying bird netting directly over your plants will deter rabbits from nibbling away at the leaves. You will need to anchor the netting to secure it into place.

For larger plants or to protect small areas such as kitchen gardens and flower beds, rabbit netting and chicken wire can be used to create wire netting barriers.

3. Reduce Nesting Options

If you've found evidence that rabbits could be nesting in your garden, you need to block off the area to stop them from coming back in.

Rabbits love low-growing shrubbery as it provides protection from predators. Removing any dense vegetation that could provide shelter and sealing off access beneath garden sheds and decking, are proactive measures to reducing nesting options for rabbits.

4. Consider Your Plant Choice

Growing plants that rabbits don't like to eat isn't a foolproof solution as they will eat almost anything when they are hungry; but some plants are still less appetising than others.

Rabbits tend to avoid plants that have strong scents, leathery leaves and prickly spines. Visit the RHS website for more information on rabbit-resistant plants.

If you have any questions on securing your garden fencing or the suitability of wire netting for protection your plants, you can contact us or call the Ringwood Fencing team on 01829 740 136.