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How do I safely stop rabbits in my vegetable garden?

I just started a vegetable garden, and built a fence around it. But I need to know how to control rabbits and other critters from eating my vegetables. I want to share my garden with my son's 10-year-old twin boys. They are very exited about growing a garden.

Submitted by rlago33

Hi, Congrats on the new garden! I think they are a wonderful way to introduce young children into the world of gardening and to teach them where their food comes from. Now, as far as rabbits go, they are pretty hard to get rid of--we are always struggling with them in the BHG Test Garden. The only surefire way to keep them out of your veggies is by surrounding the garden with chicken wire about 18 inches tall and buried in the ground by about 6 inches. If you already have a fence, perhaps you could attach the chicken wire to it with staples.

Answered by doug.jimerson

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A really good ginger tom cat is the only way to go! Our one (Tigga) keeps all the rabbits away from our garden plus the neighbours as well. I won't go into detail about how he goes about it however.

Submitted by maxbaylis

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I've also heard that hanging bars of Irish Spring soap in socks around the garden keep rabbits away, but I haven't tried this myself. :)

Submitted by lcrespin1119954

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We planted onions and marigolds as border plants around the garden, and used dog hair and human hair. But what seemed to work the *best* was HOT PEPPER SAUCE. We added some to a spray bottle of water and sprayed everything in and around the garden. They don't like the smell or taste. We reapply after heavy rains, but they don't seem to come around at all anymore! Good luck!

Submitted by lcrespin1119954

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I blend several cloves of garlic, a few of the hottest peppers I can find and just a few drops of cooking oil. and some water Blend throughly strain twice put in spray bottle. May not be good for veggies but works wonders on flower gardens!

Submitted by debdoy1955

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Reading up on the net, we discovered a tip that is so easy to keep rabbits (and deer in our case) away from the garden. Take eggs shells, break them up and scatter them all around the garden. The animals don't like the smell of the shells or of our hands all over them. We don't even have a fence and we have a bunny living on the property and he doesn't touch any of it! We got through lots of eggs so this is a great way to use them up and fertilize the garden!

Submitted by Applebug

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those pesky little kritters DONT like the smell of marigolds! plant them around the border to keep kritters out and they look pretty

Submitted by c_nash1968

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I find the best tip I can give for vegetable, small bushes and flowers is dog hair not recently washed, I go to the groomer to pick it up and they are glad to do it for you. All my plants and vegetables are growing great, I even give out my dog hair to my neighbors. You'd think I was giving away $$$ bills away, they are happy to receive it. So good luck ! ! !

Submitted by lerose55

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