Block access with 2–3 ft wire mesh buried 6–10 in, then layer plant choice, guards, repellents, and tidy beds to keep rabbits away.
Fresh shoots, leafy greens, and low shrubs make an easy buffet for cottontails. You can stop the damage without harming wildlife by stacking a few proven steps. Start with a barrier that actually blocks entry. Then make beds less tempting, protect trunks and stems, and keep cover to a minimum. The mix you use depends on yard size, budget, and how much nibbling you see.
Quick Start: What Works Fast
Put a small wire fence around the area that gets hit the most. Use 1-inch mesh or tighter. Make it 24–36 inches tall and pin it tight to the soil. Add plant guards on young trees. Reapply a scent-based repellent after rain. Clean up brush piles and gaps under sheds. This combo curbs fresh bites in a weekend.
Methods Matrix: Pick Your Stack
The grid below compares the core tools. Mix at least two for steady results.
| Method | Best Use | Durability |
|---|---|---|
| Wire Fence (1" mesh, 2–3 ft) | Veg plots, borders, raised beds | High with upkeep |
| Trunk/Stem Guards | Young trees, shrubs, vines | High |
| Netting/Row Covers | Seedlings, leafy greens | Medium |
| Scent Repellents | Edges, entry routes, hot spots | Low–Medium (reapply) |
| Plant Choice | Perennial beds, mixed borders | High if well planned |
| Habitat Cleanup | Under decks, brush, tall weeds | High with maintenance |
Ways To Keep Rabbits Out Of A Garden Safely
Blocking, not chasing, gives the most consistent result. A small animal can slip through gaps that look tiny to us, so spec and install matter. Below are the pieces that hold up across seasons.
Build A Barrier That Actually Blocks
Use poultry netting or hardware cloth with openings no larger than 1 inch. Set posts 3–4 feet apart. Make the fence 24–36 inches tall so a cottontail can’t reach tender tips in winter snow. Where digging is common, bury the bottom 6–10 inches, or flare an L-shaped apron outward at soil level to stop tunneling. University pest guides back this layout and stress a snug fit to the ground to prevent crawl-unders.
Step plan:
- Measure the plot and buy netting with 1" or tighter mesh.
- Drive light stakes; pull netting tight to avoid gaps.
- Pin the lower edge with U-pins every 1–2 feet.
- In soft soil, trench a shallow slot and bury the lower edge 6–10 inches.
- At gates, overlap mesh and latch tight; check corners after strong wind.
If you need specs and a deeper how-to, see the UC IPM fencing guidance for rabbits which outlines mesh size and bury depth based on long-running field work.
Guard Trunks, Canes, And Young Stems
Wrap tree guards of hardware cloth around trunks up to 18–24 inches high. Leave a small gap for growth and airflow. For cane fruits and vines, set short cylinders of 1-inch mesh around the base. These guards keep bark bites and girdling at bay in late winter and early spring when food is scarce.
Cover Seedlings And Salad Beds
Low hoops with netting or floating row cover protect tender starts. Keep fabric off leaves with small hoops. Clip edges to the bed rim or weigh down with boards or sandbags so nothing can nose under. Lift on sunny days for airflow and pollinator access, then secure again at night.
Use Repellents As A Perimeter Tool
Egg-based, garlic-based, or capsaicin formulas create an odor or taste cue that says “skip this row.” Spray at nose height on non-edible edges, rocks, and stakes. Many labels permit plant spraying; follow directions for food crops. Reapply after rain or watering. Shift brands midseason if pressure returns so the cue stays fresh.
Pick Plants They Tend To Avoid
Plants with strong scent, fuzzy leaves, or bitter sap tend to get fewer bites. Interplant these near beds that draw the most chewing. Daffodils, alliums, yarrow, catmint, hellebores, and lamb’s ear are common picks across extension lists. The RHS rabbit-resistant plants page groups many choices by season and form so you can design a bed that still looks good.
Remove Cover And Easy Hideouts
Trim the grass along fences. Clear brush piles. Stack firewood off the ground. Close gaps under decks and sheds with tight mesh. A tidy edge makes the space less cozy. Pair this with a barrier for the best effect.
Raise Beds And Pots
Boards or masonry edges that sit 12–18 inches high slow quick mouthfuls. Add a flush-mount rim of mesh inside a wood bed if you still see bites. For greens, tall planters keep leaves out of reach and ease harvesting.
Spot The Signs And Act Early
Look for clean, angled bites on stems and leaves near ground level. Round pellets show up near resting spots. Tracks look like a small pair in front and a wider pair behind. In winter, gnawed bark low on trunks can mean browsing during snow cover. Early action keeps damage from compounding during peak growth.
Seasonal Plan That Holds Up
Spring
Install or repair the fence before seedlings go in. Guard trunks before sap rises. Apply a repellent ring at bed edges. Plant less-tasty anchors at plot corners.
Summer
Keep the lower fence edge tight to soil after heavy rain. Reapply repellent after irrigation. Thin thick cover in corners. Swap covers for netting once pollination is done.
Fall
Lower the buffet: remove spent plants, fallen fruit, and weeds. Patch holes made by ground-nesters. Wrap tree guards before cold snaps.
Winter
Check for snow “steps” that raise reach. Knock down drifts along fences. Inspect bark guards after thaw cycles.
Plant List: Strong Bets For Fewer Bites
Use this list to build a border that shrugs off chewing. Mix forms and bloom times so the bed still shines.
| Plant | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daffodil (Narcissus) | Bulb | Toxic to many pests; good spring anchor |
| Alliums (ornamental onions) | Bulb/Perennial | Pungent leaves and flowers; strong border edge |
| Nepeta (catmint) | Perennial | Aromatic foliage; long bloom window |
| Achillea (yarrow) | Perennial | Ferny, slightly bitter leaves; sun tolerant |
| Hellebore | Perennial | Evergreen leaves; early flowers; less palatable |
| Stachys byzantina (lamb’s ear) | Perennial | Fuzzy leaves; good path edging |
| Lavandula (lavender) | Perennial/Shrub | Scented foliage; dry-site friendly |
| Digitalis (foxglove) | Biennial/Perennial | Bitter compounds; add height in part shade |
Why Fencing Beats Chasing
A fence sets a clear line that doesn’t rely on scare tricks or constant spraying. Extension guides call it the most reliable fix for small mammals. A simple layout works for most yards: 1-inch mesh, 24–36 inches tall, lower edge buried or pinned. In areas with deep frost heave or sandy soil, add an outward apron so digging hits a wall. That single change can end weekly replanting.
When Pressure Is Heavy
Add A Second Line
Set a short inner barrier around the salad bed that gets the worst chewing. Quick to install, cheap to replace, and easy to lift for harvest.
Try A Low Electric Strand
On larger plots, two low electrified wires can stop push-throughs. Place one strand 2–3 inches above ground and another at 6–8 inches. Keep grass trimmed under the run. This option suits rural settings and needs careful placement around kids and pets.
Rotate Repellent Cues
Swap active ingredients midseason. Use stake-mounted scent pouches along trails and a different spray at bed edges. Change patterns after storms.
Trapping And Legal Notes
Rules differ by region on trapping and relocation. Some areas ban moving wildlife; others require a permit. Check local regulations before you set any device. Where a live trap is allowed, place it along a run by a fence line and shade it. Bait with apple slices or leafy greens. Release only where the law permits, or work with a licensed operator. For most home plots, exclusion and plant choice solve the problem with less effort and lower risk.
Care Routine That Keeps The Win
A short monthly pass holds the line:
- Walk the fence; fix gaps, lifted pins, or bent corners.
- Check tree guards for tightness and damage.
- Reapply repellent after heavy rain or irrigation cycles.
- Edge the lawn at the fence so noses can’t pry under.
- Remove debris piles and low cover that invite nesting.
Sample Layout For A 10×12 Bed
This plan fits a small kitchen plot. Adjust sizes for your space.
- Perimeter: 30 feet of 1" mesh, 30 inches tall, buried 6–8 inches.
- Gate: 24 inches wide with overlapping mesh and a latch.
- Inner ring: 12 inches tall mesh around lettuce and chard rows.
- Guards: 18–24 inch hardware cloth sleeves on fruit saplings nearby.
- Repellent: spray ring on stones at corners; reapply after storms.
- Planting: alliums and catmint at the outside corners as bed anchors.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Mesh openings wider than 1 inch. Young animals slip through.
- No ground contact. A thumb-sized gap is a doorway.
- Relying only on sprays. One storm and the cue is gone.
- Leaving brush piles near beds. That’s a ready shelter.
- Skipping trunk guards in winter. Bark wounds don’t heal well.
Wrap-Up: A Humane, Lasting Fix
Combine a tight fence, stem guards, smart plant picks, and a quick monthly check. That stack protects greens, flowers, and bark through all seasons while keeping wildlife safe. Start with the barrier this weekend, then layer the rest as time allows. The payoff is steady growth and harvests without chew marks.