Some years, rabbits eat the flowers off the spring crocus, some years they don’t. And Deer eat a few flowers off the hydrangeas, but bypass the lilac bushes.
Or both of them eat the crocus under the trees but not next to the patio. Or vice versa.
But one thing is certain: rabbits and deer will always eat a few tulips.
It can make you feel like you need a guard tower and security lights to keep your plants safe. It’s impossible to predict which vegetables, perennials, or annuals will be grazed or outright consumed by deer and rabbits each season. From personal experience, most of the damage from squirrels, rabbits, and other mammals seems to be done in early spring when food sources are somewhat limited (compared to summer).
But a hungry animal in any season will eat just about any plant, even those that are poisonous. As the saying goes, your best defense is a strong offense. Install plants that deer and rabbits don’t like and you’ll spend fewer nights weeping into your pillow.
How to keep rabbits and deer from eating your plants
- Deer, rabbits, squirrels, and most animals are discouraged by aromatic plants like strong herbs (basil, lavender, rosemary); plants with spines like Prickly Pear; plants with tough leaves (lamb’s ear); or plants with milky sap, like Milkweed. Use these deterrent plants near your more tempting plants, and animals may leave them alone.
- New plants are more likely to be nibbled on than well-established, large plants. Protect new transplants and early season growth as long as possible with perimeter fencing, milk jugs, or deer, squirrel, and rabbit repellent.
- The best way to keep rabbits and deer from eating your plants is to fence them off – at least 2 feet high to discourage rabbits and at least 6 feet high for deer. It’s unsightly, but a physical barrier works better than anything else.
- I’ve had great success with bottled repellents like Liquid Fence, which are made with putrescent egg solids – animals appear to take one whiff and wander off. The downside is that you have to spray after every rainfall, which can become expensive during a rainy season. To enjoy finely scented blooms like Roses, spray repellents around the shrub or flower and not on it.
- As far as your vegetable garden is concerned, nothing but onions and garlic are off-limits to deer and rabbits. Liquid repellents and fences are the best bet to keep roving wildlife from sampling the smorgasbord.
Below is a list of plants that rabbits and deer are less likely to consume if there are plenty of other sources of food nearby. But as mentioned previously, hungry, desperate animals will eat just about anything.
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Sources: Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Oregon State University Extension Service.
