Introduction

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens, but they’re also a favorite food of rabbits. Rabbits can cause significant damage to tomato plants, weakening or killing them. So, what can you do to keep rabbits away from your tomato plants?

Physical Barriers

The most effective way to keep rabbits away from your tomato plants is by using physical barriers. You can create a fence around your garden using chicken wire or hardware cloth. The fence should be at least two feet high and buried at least six inches into the ground to prevent rabbits from digging underneath it. Make sure the fence has small enough holes to prevent rabbits from squeezing through. You can also place cages made of chicken wire or hardware cloth around individual tomato plants to protect them.

Natural Deterrents

There are several natural deterrents you can use to keep rabbits away from your tomato plants. One of the most popular is planting herbs like lavender, sage, or rosemary around your garden. These plants have a strong scent that repels rabbits. You can also sprinkle blood meal, bone meal, or fish meal around your tomato plants. These items have a strong odor that rabbits don’t like.

Electronic Repellents

Electronic repellents are designed to scare away rabbits and other animals. These devices emit sound or vibration that rabbits find unpleasant. You can place electronic repellents around your garden to keep rabbits away. However, these devices can be expensive and may not be effective in all situations.

Birds of Prey

Rabbits are afraid of birds of prey like hawks, eagles, and owls. You can attract these birds to your garden by building a birdhouse or leaving out bird feeders. Once birds of prey start visiting your garden, rabbits will be less likely to want to stay around.

Conclusion

Rabbits can be a significant threat to tomato plants. However, there are several ways you can keep them away. By using physical barriers, natural deterrents, electronic repellents, or attracting birds of prey, you can protect your tomato plants and enjoy a bountiful harvest.