Rabbit Retribution
Gardens are springing up everywhere - providing snack bars for woodland creatures all over the globe. Here's a question that came in last week:
"Dear Gardenerd, I am starting a garden in my back yard. I would LOVE to convert my useless front lawn into an edible estate but can't spend thousand of dollars on a fence to keep out the wild rabbits. Do you have a simpler suggestion to keep the rabbits at bay? Thanks, Caroline"
I can make a few suggestions, but honestly a fence is the best answer. Rabbits burrow, so any fence you put in needs to go down at least 2 feet to keep them out. There are some inexpensive materials that you can make a fence with, so it won't cost thousands, just hundreds. For example:
Not the most attractive solution, but much less expensive than a full-blown fence. The trick with this fence is that you would need to supplement it somehow to prevent creatures from burrowing under, as I mentioned above. If you lined the bottom of this fenced area with sheet metal to a depth of 2 feet, and sealed off the bottom edge of the fence material, it could work.
As an alternative, there are products that can be applied at regular intervals to keep critters away. I posted an article for squirrel combatants awhile back that offers some of the same protection against rabbits.
Or you can try sprinkling this around:
Or use Liquid Fence on a regular basis:
I hope this helps. Keep us posted on what you end up getting.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for rabbit-proofing without a costly fence? Share it with us here.
"Dear Gardenerd, I am starting a garden in my back yard. I would LOVE to convert my useless front lawn into an edible estate but can't spend thousand of dollars on a fence to keep out the wild rabbits. Do you have a simpler suggestion to keep the rabbits at bay? Thanks, Caroline"
I can make a few suggestions, but honestly a fence is the best answer. Rabbits burrow, so any fence you put in needs to go down at least 2 feet to keep them out. There are some inexpensive materials that you can make a fence with, so it won't cost thousands, just hundreds. For example:
Not the most attractive solution, but much less expensive than a full-blown fence. The trick with this fence is that you would need to supplement it somehow to prevent creatures from burrowing under, as I mentioned above. If you lined the bottom of this fenced area with sheet metal to a depth of 2 feet, and sealed off the bottom edge of the fence material, it could work.
As an alternative, there are products that can be applied at regular intervals to keep critters away. I posted an article for squirrel combatants awhile back that offers some of the same protection against rabbits.
Or you can try sprinkling this around:
Or use Liquid Fence on a regular basis:
I hope this helps. Keep us posted on what you end up getting.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for rabbit-proofing without a costly fence? Share it with us here.
Posted by Christy Wilhelmi at 5/13/2009 1:28 PM 
Categories: Sage Advice
Tags: organic pest control rabbit fence pest control vegetable gardening
Categories: Sage Advice
Tags: organic pest control rabbit fence pest control vegetable gardening
I wouldn't mind using the type of fencing you recommended for our backyard. However, I live in a suburb area in a tract home with CCR's up the gazoo. None of our neighbors have any sort of fencing. In order for the HOA to approve it, it will cost lots of money.
I found a yard control that works 15' radius and repels rabbits. You can check it out at realgood.com item number 06-0672 for $99.
I also came across a company (see attached) that sells other sort of repellents. I will have to call them tomorrow to find out their results and guarantee.
I wonder if there has been any reviews on this product. I would like to use it in lieu of a fence. That is my only solution at this point.
Let me know your thoughts.
Caroline
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