well ,I have been told ,if its anything like foxes,that either to use human urine around the edge the garden will deter a fox or as of late a Alpaca but maybe rabbits are not afraid of Alpcas.
Have you tried using 18G wire mesh around the plot perimeter. I have just taken over the other half of a full size plot and have meshed (at some expense) around the perimeter fence , digging a 1.5 - 2 feet deep trench, anchoring the mesh at it's base with bricks and stapling to the fence, then back filling . Hopefully , no more rabbits! If not, I will need a gattling gun plus lots of wood to make a sentry post at the corner of the plot .
I live by a railway embankment and have had resident rabbits for years, with most of my planting in tall pots out of their way, then late last year I replaced all my fence panels, and removed their access through broken fencing. I am now bravely planting in the ground again and waiting to see if the little b×××××s find their way in again. Discovered they don't like thyme, but you can only plant so much thyme... They also don't eat potentilla, or haven't done in my garden.
Good luck Katiesgran. Will have to try that thyme idea. - I wonder if it's the scent or the taste? rabbits don't like potato leaves probably cos of the poisonous alkaloids in the leaves so I'm clearing the old half of my plot with them. Rhubarb leaves also contain a poison and are solanaceous like the tomato plant - they won't eat them either. It might be worth growing tomatoes next to your fence - that might put them off plus you get the fruit as a bonus.
The RHS has a great list of plants that rabbits don't like. My rabbits disagree with some on that list but generally it's a great help. However, they do like digging up plants (for no apparent reason that I can find). I have a row of lavender and they are constantly digging them up although they don't eat them. Would love to find a way of stopping them digging up the plants so they can have a chance at growing!
Thanks for all the suggestions, my fav's are the wire and gattling gun but I'd add a couple of conning towers to complete the theme.
Actually my neighbour is a cracking shot and has dispatched quite a few over the years, along with the squirrels, but he's missed a couple this year.
I've heard that washing crystals under the soil is a trick but will try the chilli powder route. I've covered the remnants with strawberry mesh and hoping that the Verbascums grow back but they aren't romping away yet?
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I agree Hostasfan - heartbreaking
Even as a pre-school child I could see that for an afflicted rabbit a quick despatch was a kindness.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
well ,I have been told ,if its anything like foxes,that either to use human urine around the edge the garden will deter a fox or as of late a Alpaca but maybe rabbits are not afraid of Alpcas.
Nothing deters rabbits once they get going. They'll find a way in if they can.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Have you tried using 18G wire mesh around the plot perimeter. I have just taken over the other half of a full size plot and have meshed (at some expense) around the perimeter fence , digging a 1.5 - 2 feet deep trench, anchoring the mesh at it's base with bricks and stapling to the fence, then back filling . Hopefully , no more rabbits! If not, I will need a gattling gun plus lots of wood to make a sentry post at the corner of the plot .
I live by a railway embankment and have had resident rabbits for years, with most of my planting in tall pots out of their way, then late last year I replaced all my fence panels, and removed their access through broken fencing. I am now bravely planting in the ground again and waiting to see if the little b×××××s find their way in again. Discovered they don't like thyme, but you can only plant so much thyme... They also don't eat potentilla, or haven't done in my garden.
Good luck Katiesgran. Will have to try that thyme idea. - I wonder if it's the scent or the taste? rabbits don't like potato leaves probably cos of the poisonous alkaloids in the leaves so I'm clearing the old half of my plot with them. Rhubarb leaves also contain a poison and are solanaceous like the tomato plant - they won't eat them either. It might be worth growing tomatoes next to your fence - that might put them off plus you get the fruit as a bonus.
The RHS has a great list of plants that rabbits don't like. My rabbits disagree with some on that list but generally it's a great help. However, they do like digging up plants (for no apparent reason that I can find). I have a row of lavender and they are constantly digging them up although they don't eat them. Would love to find a way of stopping them digging up the plants so they can have a chance at growing!
This will do it
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Yes good idea!
trouble is the little blighters only come out at night. Need to borrow a dog to let loose every half an hour through the night!
Thanks for all the suggestions, my fav's are the wire and gattling gun but I'd add a couple of conning towers to complete the theme
.
Actually my neighbour is a cracking shot and has dispatched quite a few over the years, along with the squirrels, but he's missed a couple this year.
I've heard that washing crystals under the soil is a trick but will try the chilli powder route. I've covered the remnants with strawberry mesh and hoping that the Verbascums grow back but they aren't romping away yet?