How to Protect Individual Young Garden Plants From Deer and Rabbits
Rather than attempting to find plants that neither rabbits nor deer will eat, you can protect your plants by fencing them individually. Although both rabbits and deer like to nibble plants, their methods are somewhat different. Rabbits will often eat the tender bark around the base of a plant, while deer prefer young shoots and buds. Their different eating habits make a solution difficult. Wrapping will protect plants from rabbits, but it will not protect plants from deer. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 4 wooden stakes, at least 5 feet tall
- Sledgehammer
- Shovel
- 5-foot woven wire or plastic mesh
- Staple gun
- Staples
Instructions
-
-
1
Drive stakes 48 inches away from the trunk of the plant in a rough circle with a sledgehammer. You may need to be farther away from the trunk if the lower branches will still be in reach of the animals. Even small plants and shrubs need tall fences to keep away deer.
-
2
Unroll fencing material, and set it upright against the stakes.
-
-
3
Dig a 3-inch-deep trench around the perimeter where the fence will go.
-
4
Bury the bottom of the wire or mesh into the ground. Burying the bottom of the fence is important to keep rabbits from digging under it.
-
5
Attach wire or plastic mesh to the stakes with a staple gun.
-
6
Inspect your fence weekly, and make repairs as necessary.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Build the fence with tall stakes so you have the option of adding fence height later.
Add to the height of the fence if it snows. Rabbits and deer are able to walk on the surface of snow and will eat your plants.
