How to Keep Rabbits Out of Tomato Plants

Tomato plants are a favorite food of rabbits, so if you have a rabbit problem in your garden, you may find that your tomato plants are disappearing. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent rabbits from feasting on your tomato plants.

1. Protect Your Tomato Plants with Physical Barriers

One of the most effective ways to keep rabbits out of your tomato plants is to physically block them from accessing your plants. Here are a few different options:

Chicken wire: Surround your tomato plants with a fence made of chicken wire that is at least two feet high. Bury the fence several inches into the ground to prevent rabbits from digging underneath it.

Cloches: Place cloches or cages over individual tomato plants to protect them from rabbits.

Netting: Wrap netting around individual tomato plants to prevent rabbits from getting close to them.

2. Use Rabbit Repellent Products

There are several products available that are designed to repel rabbits, and they can be effective at keeping rabbits away from your tomato plants. Here are a few options:

Shake-Away Rabbit Repellent: This granular repellent contains the scent of coyote urine, which naturally scares away rabbits.

Liquid Fence Rabbit Repellent: This product contains a blend of natural ingredients that rabbits find unpleasant, including garlic and capsaicin (a chemical found in hot peppers).

Ultrasonic Repellents: These electronic devices emit high-pitched sounds that are annoying to rabbits and can keep them away from your garden.

3. Use Natural Deterrents

If you prefer to avoid using chemicals or if you have concerns about the safety of repellent products around your children or pets, there are several natural deterrents that can help keep rabbits away from your tomato plants:

Blood meal: Sprinkle blood meal around your tomato plants. The scent of blood will make rabbits think there are predators around and they will stay away.

Cayenne pepper: Sprinkle cayenne pepper around your tomato plants. Rabbits dislike the smell and taste of the spice and will be deterred from eating your plants.

Marigolds: Plant marigolds around your tomato plants. The scent of the flowers is unpleasant to rabbits and will help keep them away.

4. Encourage Natural Predators

If you live in an area where there are natural rabbit predators, such as foxes, coyotes, or hawks, you can encourage them to visit your garden by creating a habitat for them. Here are a few tips:

Provide shelter: Create areas of brush or tall grass where predators can hide.

Provide water: Natural predators need a source of water, so provide a small pond or birdbath in your garden.

Plant native plants: Native plants will attract a variety of insects, which can serve as food for predators.

Conclusion

Keeping rabbits out of your tomato plants can be a challenge, but with the right strategies and tools, it is possible to protect your plants and enjoy a bountiful harvest. Experiment with different methods until you find the one that works best for you.