|
Rabbits eat a wide range of plants including flowers,
vegetables, and weeds throughout the spring and summer. As these
plants fade in fall, they begin dining on trees and shrubs. You may
find bark gnawed, evergreen needles nibbled, and branches, stems and
buds clipped off the plants.
Their sharp teeth make a clean cut much like a bypass pruner at a
45-degree angle. Rabbit damage usually occurs within three feet of
the ground where they can easily reach and dine on the plants. Look
for tracks and droppings, often called pellets, if additional clues
are needed. The pellets are little, round, hard, and usually yellowy
brown to green.
Our landscapes provide the perfect habitat for rabbits. They tend to
concentrate in open grassy areas that have patches of desirable
cover like brush piles, shrubs, and gardens that provide an escape
from predators.
These short-lived mammals tend to be very productive, giving birth
to two to six litters of four or more babies in a season. Diseases,
weather, predators, hunters, and cars help limit the number of
surviving offspring.
Start by removing hiding places like brush piles, weed patches, and
stone piles that provide places for rabbits to live and hide. Work
with your neighbors who may not realize they are housing rabbits
feeding in both of your yards. Leave a few weeds and perhaps some
clover in the lawn as an alternate food source for them.
You will find lists of rabbit-resistant plants, but as gardeners
know they will eat just about any plants when populations are high
and food is scarce. Protecting key gardens and plants will help
reduce the risk of damage and increase your enjoyment.
Fencing is an effective management strategy but may not be practical
or aesthetically pleasing. When employing fencing, be sure it is
high enough to keep rabbits out and the openings are 1 inch or less.
A 3-foot-tall fence with an outward baffle at the top or one 4-foot
tall is more effective. Secure the fence tight to the ground or bury
the bottom few inches to prevent rabbits from crawling under. Check
the gate, adding flaps and sweeps as needed to prevent rabbits from
gaining access to the garden.
[to top of second column] |
Repellents are a less obtrusive option and more
practical for many gardeners. Select a product labeled for rabbit
control and preferably an organic option like Plantskydd (plantskydd.com).
This odor-based repellent is rain and snow resistant so you will
need to reapply less often. Whenever possible, apply repellents
before the rabbits begin feeding and follow the label directions for
the best results.
Evaluate and adapt your landscape design as needed and continually
monitor for damage. Employ various strategies to help reduce rabbit
damage while boosting your enjoyment and garden’s productivity.
Use 4-foot-tall cylinders of hardware cloth around
young trees and shrubs to prevent damage. Place the cylinder several
inches away from the trunk and bury the bottom few inches in the
soil to prevent rabbit and vole damage.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books,
including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small
Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything”
instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s
Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and
contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned
by Summit for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
[Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com]
|
