Rabbits

I always wondered why my grandfather, a gardening wiz, had such a vendetta against rabbits. The kindest, gentlest man I knew would turn rabid the moment one of those cuddly, doe-eyed creatures came within fifty feet of his property border…until I started to garden.

The first year out my cute little picket fence became the treasured sanctuary for hordes of rabbits. At first, I only smiled that I should be so lucky to witness nature in progress right outside my front door. Two weeks later, all my hard work was annihilated. The tops were eaten off every plant the moment it sprouted from the earth. Of course, as luck would have it, they don't seem to like the weeds.

I don't mind sharing but we live in the country. The garden is surrounded by lush greenery on all sides. These rabbits seemed vindictive. What I didn't realize was the country setting was a large part of the problem. If you haven't tried them yet, here are a few non toxic methods to deter those furry little pests.

A major deterrent to the rabbit population is to get rid of their natural cover. Keep grass mown, clear away any brush and cut any unwanted shrubbery. With nowhere to hide, these creatures will usually find a safer place to inhabit.

They can't eat what they can't get at. 1 inch mesh chicken wire serves as a good fence. Buy it three feet high, keeping two feet above ground and one foot beneath to deter burrowing. Bending the top forward slightly might help keep out any persistent pests.

Some avid gardeners swear by these methods, others scoff, but as most are free they are worth a try.- A piece of plastic hose laid on the ground to mimic a snake, a bowl of water because it is believed that rabbits are afraid of their own reflection, noise makers like chimes, tin foil or tin cans tied together. Last year we tried cayenne pepper. Although this method was initially successful, the need to reapply due to the new growth and moisture caused it to be more trouble and expense than it was worth.

-Jenna Remilard
Staff Editor

Jenna Remilard writes between homeschooling her two children and caring for her household tucked away in the backwoods of rural New England .