I love seeing wild rabbits hop along the driveway or across the grass when I pull into a property. They are so cute when they are holding food in their front paws and making their little chewing motions. Of course, it is not quite as cute when they eat the food plants or flowers on which we have spent time and money to grow. 

While bunnies will eat plants any time of the year, many of us are currently enjoying the food plants we planted this spring, and we all know how much rabbits like to dine on  spring gardens. So, here are seven ways to deter rabbits from gardens naturally.

1. Tall Garden Beds – My preferred solution for keeping rabbits away from my food plants is to plant my vegetables and herbs in raised garden beds. To be an effective deterrent, your garden beds will need to be at least 24 inches tall, but you might want to make them even taller to keep out more pests and make gardening easier on your body. 

2. Rabbit-Proof Fencing – Putting a fence around your plants or garden beds is another way to keep rabbits away from your food plants or the flowers they love to eat. Hardware cloth, chicken wire, or other wire fencing in an effective deterrent if you bury it about six inches into the soil and have at least 36 inches above ground. You can put a fence around your entire garden or just around the individual plants you want to protect. Some folks recommend using bird netting to protect their gardens from both rabbits and birds, but keep in mind that birds can get caught beneath the netting and become injured or die trying to get out. 

3. Garden Cloches – I love using garden cloches on my new plants to deter all manner of small critters who like to eat them. The problem is, a single garden cloche can be about $25, which is cost prohibitive if you have a larger garden. Since cloches are so expensive, I like to make my own with trash cans and splatter screens from Dollar Tree. I know that might sound a bit odd, but they work! I get wire mesh trash cans and splatter screens that have the handles in the middle of the screen. I then unscrew the handles to remove them from the screens and attach them to the bottom of the trash cans. You can then use the leftover splatter screens for drying herbs. 

4. Owl Decoys – I have not had success keeping any type of critter out of a garden with a fake owl, but other folks report success with them, so they are worth mentioning here. If you decide to try owl decoys to keep rabbits out of your garden, make sure to move it around occasionally or to get a more advanced decoy that moves. 

5. Repellent Sprays – You can purchase all-natural rabbit deterrent at garden centers or make your own with water, cayenne pepper, and garlic. These repellents can be effective, but they need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain and after you water the garden. Irish Spring soap has a strong smell that rabbits (and rats and mice) do not like, so you could also try placing shavings in mesh bags around your garden.

6. Rabbit-Repellent Plants – You can also try planting rabbit-repellent plants, such as basil, mint, lavender, or marigolds, around the edge of your garden. This option can be effective, but it is definitely not foolproof. These adaptable critters may start eating plants they usually do not like or get used to the smell of plants that they once detested. So, this one might work for you, but you may have to give a few different plants a try or swap out your rabbit-repellent plants as they get used to them and they lose their effectiveness. 

7. Sacrificial Plants – Planting a sacrificial garden to share with your local rabbits will not work as your only deterrent, since they will just eat the sacrificial garden, and then head over to your vegetable garden to continue enjoying the bounty. However, it can work when used with other methods and is a nice way to still provide food and get to enjoy having wild rabbits around while protecting your food garden.  

Originally designed by Austen Pierpont, this remarkable home has been fully remodeled with incredible attention to detail and an eye towards upscale living.

This includes unique touches like the dining room’s antique Chapman light fixture, French casement windows for unobstructed views, and Ashley Norton door hardware throughout.

Vaulted ceilings, hardwood and travertine floors, two wood-burning or gas fireplaces, walk-in pantry, duel-fuel Wolf range, Carrera Gold marble counters, and large windows bathing every room in natural light are just a handful of this home’s alluring features.

The media room, two laundry rooms, well-designed layout, and luxurious primary suite with a spa-like bath with two vanities and a large, walk-in closet are also sure to impress.

The exceptional outdoor living areas include a swimming pool with spa, Baja shelf, and automatic cover, patio fireplace, built-in Viking grill, bar, dog runs, family orchard, large lawn area, and multiple patios and seating areas. 

Features include:

Approximately 2,601 square feet
Three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
Spacious primary suite with spa-like en suite
Two vanities in primary bathroom
Large, walk-in closet in primary bedroom
Media room/family room
Two wood-burning or gas fireplaces
Dual-fuel, six-burner Wolf range
Carrera Gold marble counters
Walk-in pantry with coffee bar
Two laundry rooms (house and garage)
Travertine floors and baseboards
Two closets and built-ins in both guest bedrooms
Ashley Norton door hardware throughout
French casement windows
Vaulted ceilings
Large windows for views and natural light    Gated entry
Approximately .7 acre
Multiple outdoor living areas
Swimming pool with Baja shelf and spa
Patio fireplace
Built-in Viking barbecue grill with bar
Family orchard
Raised garden beds
Three dog runs
Over-sized two-car garage with workshop
RV parking with 50-amp hookup
Fully fenced
Privacy landscaping
Copper gutters
Pink Moment view
Walk or bike to downtown Ojai
Walk or bike to Meiners Oaks

To see more photos and information for this Arbolada Ojai home for sale, visit the property information page. To schedule a showing, contact Nora Davis today!