Gardeners find hardware cloth and plant selection work better than marigolds against rabbits

Gardeners in several regions have found that rabbits are causing serious damage to both flowers and vegetables, and that some popular prevention methods do not work. Marigolds, which many people plant to keep rabbits away, have failed completely in several cases, with rabbits eating them down to almost nothing.

What does seem to work is placing wire cages around individual plants. These cages, made from hardware cloth and standing around 12 to 18 inches tall, have successfully protected plants for about a month. Gardeners have also had good results choosing plants that rabbits naturally avoid, such as lavender, catmint, and peony, because of their strong smells or bitter taste.

Rabbit activity increases sharply from late June into July, when young rabbits grow and need more food. Planting vegetables early, so they are well established before this period, also reduces the risk of damage.