Gardening with rabbits

Rabbits are often the villains in gardening tales — both in fiction and first-hand accounts. But with just some minor modifications, bunnies can actually be beneficial to gardens. We’re here to set the record straight: gardening with rabbits is both possible and enjoyable with the right setup and know-how.

Bunnies and gardens: how to keep both

The beloved tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter paints a pretty bleak picture of life with rabbits in gardens. Both Mr. McGregor’s plants and person were afflicted by the endearing mischief-making Peter. This story, along with many others, have earned rabbits quite the reputation for being garden menaces.

While it’s true that — when left to their own devices — rabbits will happily nibble, gnaw, and devour a number of garden plants, they’re merely acting out of instinct. Here’s how to keep your bunnies alongside your garden without risking your prized blooms and buds.

Setup for success

Rabbits need their own space in or around the garden to keep them from sampling (or decimating) its contents. And, plants should be placed in elevated containers or garden beds to prevent rabbits — both wild and domestic — from reaching them. If a plant is within reach of your rabbits, it’s fair game.

Strategically placing your rabbit hutch and run in proximity to your garden will help you reap the benefits of bunnies — or more specifically, their droppings. Rabbit manure is gardening gold, and can be added directly to plants without needing to be composted first.

Rabbits can also eat potential unwanted plants in the garden like dandelions or clover, and with wheels and handles for your rabbit hutch, you can move their home around to direct their weed-eating services. You can also create separate areas by using Zippi Rabbit Tunnels and Playpens to target specific areas that are prone to overgrowth.

Plant with purpose

Plant a garden, feed a rabbit. Deciding what type of garden you want to have will help you choose the plants you incorporate. Some plants are naturally more appetizing to rabbits than others, while others have odors or textures that rabbits may find off putting.You can grow healthy snacks and treats in a rabbit-friendly garden, or you can plant vegetation that doesn’t appeal to bunnies — avoiding drawing their attention altogether.

Rabbit-friendly garden options

Arugula
Asters
Bell Pepper
Carnations
Carrots
Geraniums
Greens (mustard, turnip, etc.)
Herbs (basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, rosemary — to name a few)
Hibiscus
Lettuce (the darker the variety, the more nutritious)
Marigolds
Nasturtium
Pansies
Roses
Squash
Sunflowers

Rabbits will happily consume any of these plants, so you’ll want to keep them in elevated containers or partitioned away from your bunnies to prevent them from overeating. Fresh garden offerings should not make up more than 10% of your rabbit’s diet.

Rabbit-resistant plants

Some plants just aren’t appealing to rabbits. While technically safe for them to eat, rabbit-resistant plants usually have a strong fragrance, or have thick stalks or leaves that aren’t palatable to bunnies. They include:

Alyssum
Bee balm
Butterfly Bush
Catmint
Lavender
Salvia
Snapdragons

These plants aren’t guaranteed to deter rabbits, but in general they don’t seem to be appealing snacking options. It should also be noted that some of these plants are only off putting during their flowering seasons due to their fragrance.

Plants toxic to rabbits

It’s also important to note that some plants are toxic to rabbits and should be omitted from your garden. Here’s a list of common garden plants that are toxic to rabbits:

Azaleas
Blue Bells
Brugmansia (Angel Trumpet)
Buttercups
Coleus
Columbines
Daffodils
Dahlias
Foxgloves
Hemlocks
Holly
Hyacinths
Irises
Ivy
Lupines
Lily of the Valley
Milkweed
Mistletoe
Nightshades
Poppies
Primroses
Rhodendrons
Tulips
Wisteria
Yew

This list isn’t exhaustive, so it’s always a good idea to research all plants that are currently in your garden or that you’re considering bringing home to make sure they aren’t toxic to your rabbits. The effects of these plants range from digestive upset to neurological impacts and even death, so it’s important to contact your veterinarian if you think your rabbit has ingested a toxic plant.

Friendly fertilizers

Rabbits like to dig and scratch in the earth, so the soil around their setup should be free of harmful chemicals and substances. Keep any top soil or water runoff free from commercial fertilizers, weed killers, or insecticides around your bunnies.

There are rabbit-friendly options to help keep your garden looking great — and one of these options comes directly from your bunnies themselves. Rabbit manure is an excellent cold-fertilizer (meaning it does not need to be composted first) that can be added directly to your plants in its natural form, or through a “tea”. Compost is also safe to use around rabbits, just make sure that it’s been fully composted.

Weed control may also be of concern in your garden, and some weeds aren’t safe or palatable for rabbits. You can make these rabbit-safe weed killers:

Vinegar, dish soap, and salt
Rubbing alcohol and water
Boiling water

Avoid direct contact with these and your rabbits, and allow them to fully dry before allowing your bunnies back into the area.

Omlet and your rabbits

With the right setup, your bunnies can happily help you keep your garden looking beautiful. The Eglu Go Rabbit Hutch is designed to keep your pets comfortable and protected all year round so that they can enjoy the garden alongside you. And with added wheels and handles, you can easily move your bunnies to better grazing areas. Explore all of our rabbit products and discover how easy and enjoyable it can be to combine your favorite hobbies.