Protect Your Veggies With These Rabbit-Proofing Tips
There's nothing quite as delicious as vegetables fresh from the garden -- and it's not just humans who think that! Rabbits are keen to get their teeth into a fresh cabbage or cauliflower. Keep your veggies safe from these fluffy thieves with these top rabbit-proofing tips.
1. Rabbit-Proof Fencing
The right fencing can keep rabbits out of your garden. You'll need a fence that is at least three feet tall and doesn't have any holes bigger than three inches, as even these tiny gaps can provide enough space for a rabbit to squeeze through. This usually means using fencing with solid panels or tight wire mesh. Remember that rabbits are great diggers, so you'll need a fence that extends several inches into the ground to stop them burrowing underneath.
Gates are a potential weak point in a rabbit-proof fence. You can prevent rabbits from digging under your gate by laying down stones or paving slabs to create a solid surface underneath the gate. Check that the bottom of the gate is no more than one inch above the paving slabs.
2. Predator Perfume
You probably wouldn't welcome foxes or coyotes into your garden, but their scent can help to keep rabbits at bay. According to Lifehacker Australia, fox urine can scare away rabbits and other small critters that might nibble on your vegetables. You'll find fox urine available for sale in some large garden centers. Simply place a few drops around the perimeter of your garden to scare away hungry rabbits. Reapply after heavy rain or once a week -- whichever comes sooner.
3. Spray Them Away
A quick blast of cold water is enough to deter most bunnies from raiding your vegetable patch. Scarecrow sprinklers are similar to regular lawn sprinklers, but they use sensors to detect pests creeping around your garden. When rabbits come looking for tasty treats, they'll be greeted with an intense burst of water.
4. Spice Up Your Vegetable Patch
Rabbits love to snack on leafy greens, but they hate strong-tasting foods like chili, garlic and mint. Plant these crops among your other vegetables to discourage rabbits from taking a bite. For a more effective rabbit repellent, soak chili flakes in water for a few days, place the resulting mixture in a spray bottle and squirt it around your most vulnerable crops.
Summary
If you're tired of rabbits stealing your vegetables, there are a few rabbit-proofing tips you can try to keep them out of your garden. Whether you use a fence, the scent of predators or a scarecrow sprinkler system to keep your garden free from pests, remember to check your vegetable patch regularly to make sure your defences are holding up against those pesky rabbits.
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