What is the best fencing to keep rabbits out of garden?

Rabbits can be a major nuisance in gardens, as they eat a wide variety of vegetables, flowers, and other plants. Choosing the right type of fencing is crucial to keeping rabbits out of your garden and protecting your plants. There are several factors to consider when selecting the best fencing such as height, durability, cost, and ease of installation. The most effective types of fencing against rabbits include solid wood, wire mesh, electric fencing, and several other materials.

Why Do You Need Fencing To Keep Rabbits Out?

There are several reasons why fencing is necessary to protect your garden from rabbits:

– Rabbits have an excellent sense of smell and can easily find unprotected gardens. They are also agile and can jump quite high.

– Rabbits have continuously growing teeth that need constant wearing down. This means they will chew on and damage unprotected plants.

– A single rabbit can eat its weight in vegetation every day. This can decimate a vegetable garden quickly.

– Rabbits breed rapidly, so preventing even a single rabbit from accessing your garden can save it from a potential infestation.

– Many garden plants are like candy to rabbits. Without fencing, they will eat your tastiest flowers and vegetables first.

– Rabbits carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans through contaminated food. Protecting produce reduces this risk.

– Fencing establishes a physical barrier and is the most reliable way to keep rabbits out of gardens. Other deterrents may work for a while but are less consistent.

Key Considerations For Choosing Rabbit Fencing

When shopping for the best fencing to exclude rabbits, here are some key factors to keep in mind:

Fence Height

– Rabbits can jump vertically up to around 3 feet (0.9 m). Some sources claim exceptional jumpers can clear heights of 4 feet (1.2 m).

– Fencing should be at least 3-4 feet high to effectively block rabbits.

Fence Material Durability

– Rabbits will gnaw and dig, so fencing must withstand chewing and burrowing.

– Metal and wood are chew-resistant options. Plastic or mesh may be compromised over time.

Hole Size

– Fencing holes should be less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. This prevents rabbits from squeezing through.

– For wire mesh, aim for 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) openings or smaller.

Dig Barrier

– Rabbits dig well, so fencing should extend underground 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) to thwart digging under.

– Burying wire mesh or hardware cloth works as a dig barrier.

Ease of Installation

– Opt for fencing that is relatively quick and simple for a homeowner to install properly.

– Pre-assembled kits are easier than doing extensive construction.

Cost

– Costs can range dramatically based on fencing material, height, and amount needed. Determine your budget and needs.

– Long term, a more durable investment may save money over replacing cheaper fencing.

Best Fencing Materials To Exclude Rabbits

Here are some of the top fencing options to keep rabbits away from gardens:

Solid Wood Fencing

– Solid wood fences made from boards, planks, lattice, or panels make very effective rabbit barriers.

– Checks, gaps, and holes should be eliminated so rabbits cannot squeeze through.

– Wood survives chewing well and is too tall for rabbits to jump over easily.

– Installation can be labor intensive for large areas. Avoid lightweight wood that can be knocked down.

Wire Mesh Fencing

– Galvanized welded wire mesh is a very popular budget-friendly fencing for rabbits.

– 1/4 or 1/2 inch mesh keeps rabbits out while permitting airflow and sunlight.

– Must be buried several inches underground to prevent digging under. Sturdy top edge deters climbing.

– Available in rolls and rigid panels. Choose heavier gauge wire for durability.

Hardware Cloth

– Hardware cloth is wire screening with very small, 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) openings that block young rabbits.

– More expensive but provides maximum protection from chewing and digging.

– Often used around bottom of other fencing to prevent entry at ground level.

Chicken Wire

– Low cost option, but holes up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) allow small rabbits through.

– Must be buried to stop digging. Not very durable long term. Better solutions available.

– Best paired with another fence type rather than used alone.

Electric Fencing

– Electric fencing delivers a mild shock that frightens rabbits away.

– Effective for protecting large areas or free-range gardens. Requires minimal fencing.

– More complex to install. Ongoing maintenance and power source required.

– Best used in dry climates. Vegetation can cause shorts in wet environments.

Plastic Fencing

– Black plastic or vinyl coated fencing resists corrosion and boosts durability.

– Flexible but holds shape once installed. Blocks view of garden from rabbits.

– Affordable and easy to work with. Vulnerable to chewing without metal reinforcement.

Live Fencing

– Dense, thorny hedges like blackberry or raspberry brambles deter rabbit passage.

– Provides habitat for other wildlife and needs minimal maintenance when established.

– Takes years to grow to an effective barrier height and thickness.

Height Recommendations

The recommended fencing height depends on the type of rabbit that is attempting to access the garden:

For cottontail rabbits:

– 3 feet (0.9 m) high minimum.

For jackrabbits:

– 4 feet (1.2 m) high minimum due to exceptional jumping ability.

For young bunnies:

– 1 foot (0.3 m) high fence can exclude baby rabbits that can’t jump high yet.

For all rabbits:

– 5 feet (1.5 m) high or more will clear the maximum rabbit jumping height.

– Go higher if local rabbits are adept climbers that will scale shorter fences.

Recommended Fence Installation Tips

Proper installation is just as important as choosing the right fencing material. Here are best practices for installing rabbit-proof fencing:

– Clear area of debris and obstructions before building fence.

– Dig 6-12 inch trench around perimeter to sink fence base into ground.

– Secure fence to ground with U-shaped landscape staples every 6-12 inches.

– Eliminate any gaps or holes rabbits could penetrate along bottom or sides.

– Bury hardware cloth at bottom if not using a digging barrier for whole fence.

– Fold top edge outward at 90 degree angle to stop rabbits from climbing over.

– Set sturdy, evenly spaced posts for greater stability. Use post hole digger for neat holes.

– Fasten fencing material to posts with zip ties, metal clips, staples, or nail/screw into wood posts.

– Check for and patch any new holes or weak points monthly and after severe weather.

– Clear away vegetation touching fence so rabbits cannot use it as a climbing ramp.

Best Rabbits Fences By Garden Size

The ideal fence type also depends on the size of area you need to protect. Here are top options for small, medium and large garden spaces:

Small Gardens

Good choices for small vegetable or flower beds include:

– Wire mesh panels fastened into a custom enclosure

– Hardware cloth wrapped around or lining the garden bed

– Chicken wire paired with an electric wire for backup

– Custom wood lattice frames built over the bed

Medium Gardens

For protecting medium sized gardens and yards, consider:

– Rolls of 1/4 inch galvanized steel wire mesh

– Electric net fencing with a mesh bottom to thwart digging

– A combo of chicken wire at bottom and wire mesh on top

– Pre-fab welded wire mesh panels wired together to desired length

Large Gardens and Fields

Suitable options for large areas like farms, orchards and commercial fields include:

– Multiple strands of electric fencing either permanent or portable

– High tensile fixed knot field fencing, 4ft (1.2m) tall minimum

– Extra tall, 5ft (1.5m) welded wire mesh wrapped around entire area

– 8ft (2.4m) wood privacy fencing to deter both rabbits and deer

Permanent Vs. Temporary Rabbit Fencing

Rabbit fencing can be categorized as either permanent or temporary:

Permanent fencing:

– Long lasting materials like wood, steel, high-grade PVC

– Designed to be left in place for multiple years

– Requires more intensive installation but very sturdy long term

– Controls rabbits without frequent maintenance

Good for: Established gardens, yards, farms

Temporary fencing:

– Materials like plastic netting, lightweight mesh, poly tape

– Meant to exclude rabbits for a single season or shorter timeframe

– Quick and easy for homeowners to put up and take down

– More ongoing checks required to ensure fencing stays intact

Good for: New gardens, rapidly changing layouts, crop rotation

Gardeners should weigh whether permanent or temporary fencing better suits their needs. Permanent is ideal for sites with consistent plantings, while temporary allows more flexibility.

Common Backyard Rabbit Species

The most common rabbit species found in home gardens across North America include:

Cottontail Rabbit

• Smaller species reaching 2-3 lbs (0.9-1.4 kg)
• Brown or gray coat with white tail
• Found everywhere from forests to deserts and suburban parks
• Not effective jumpers but can squeeze through small holes

Eastern Cottontail

• Most common cottontail species
• Abundant across eastern and central U.S. and Canada
• Ruled a “nuisance species” in many states due to garden damage

Jackrabbit

• Larger species reaching 7-10 lbs (3-4.5 kg)
• Black-tipped ears and brown or white coats depending on species
• Inhabit fields and prairies with some loose brush cover
• Capable jumpers adept at sailing over fences

Knowing the type of rabbit helps determine optimal fence height and material durability needed. Jackrabbits in particular demand taller, stronger fences.

Damage Rabbits Cause In Gardens

Rabbits consume a wide variety of garden vegetables, flowers, and other plants. Some of their favorite foods to feast on include:

• Lettuce, kale, spinach, cabbage, and leafy greens
• Peas, beans, squash, cucumbers, and melons
• Carrots, radishes, and root vegetables
• Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant
• Flowers like marigolds, zinnias, dahlias
• Woody plants, fruit trees, berry canes

Rabbit damage often resembles small, clean cuts at a 45 degree angle. Plants may be nibbled down to the ground. Young seedlings are especially vulnerable. Rabbits also leave behind plenty of pellet-like droppings around the garden.

Large rabbit populations can decimate gardens in a matter of days. They tend to return to sites year after year once a food source is discovered. Taking preventive measures by installing fencing is far easier than trying to rebuild a garden already damaged by rabbits.

Benefits Of Fencing Out Rabbits

Installing the right fencing brings many advantages:

• Stops rabbits feeding on plants – Protects vegetation from damage and loss
• Prevents rabbit spread of disease – Rabbits can carry pathogens transmittable to humans
• Saves money on replacing plants – Reduces need to replant eaten vegetation
• Reduces stress and frustration – Gardeners avoid spending time and effort deterring rabbits each season
• Keeps other pests out too – Deer, woodchucks, stray pets also blocked by good fencing
• Better harvests – Plants grow safely to full size and yield

For gardeners in areas with high rabbit populations, installing fencing typically pays for itself fairly quickly through reduced plant losses. It brings peace of mind knowing the garden is protected.

Fencing Tips For Specific Vegetables

Certain popular vegetables are particularly prone to rabbit damage. Use these fencing tips to protect specific plants:

Lettuce and Leafy Greens: Use small mesh wire enclosures or row covers. Low growing greens need only 1-2 ft fences.

Peas and Beans: Grow vertical varieties against wire or trellis fencing. Short fences around perimeter required.

Root Vegetables: Chicken wire laid on the ground over planted rows prevents digging.

Tomatoes and Peppers: Support plants with cages made with 1/2 inch wire mesh instead of stakes.

Squash and Melons: Plant around edges of yard and use wire mesh to encircle vines.

Ornamental Plants: Group together in protected beds surrounded by wood, wire mesh, or other sturdy materials.

Alternative Options Beyond Fencing

Although fencing is the most tried and true method, some other techniques may also help deter rabbits:

Scare devices: Motion sensor sprinklers, rubber snakes, predator urine, balloons with large eyes. Effective temporarily but rabbits get accustomed.

Repellents: Capsaicin pepper sprays, garlic, fish emulsions, soap/ammonia mixtures. Must be reapplied frequently. Keep out of vegetable gardens.

Predator smells: Soaking rags in fox or coyote urine can frighten rabbits. Must be replaced every few weeks as scent fades.

Vegetation: Prickly plants around perimeter may deter rabbits from entering. Examples include barberry, juniper, prickly pear cactus.

Trapping: Live trapping and relocating rabbits is time consuming and discouraged in many areas. Often only temporary solution as new rabbits move in.

However, these measures are generally less reliable than properly installed fencing. Fencing remains the gold standard for prohibiting rabbit access.

Conclusion

Installing rabbit-proof fencing is the most effective approach to safeguard gardens and landscaping from rabbit invasion and damage. While many options exist, key criteria for excluding rabbits include height of at least 3 feet, small openings, and buried base. Materials like wire mesh, wood, and electric fencing have proven track records. Proper installation is also critical. While a bigger initial investment, high-quality fencing saves effort and money in the long run by eliminating rabbit problems. A protected garden leads to lush plants, abundant harvests, and happy gardeners.