Keep Rabbits Out of Garden: Our Battle Against Bunny Invaders

Welcome to the wild world of our Agave Farm in the Hollywood Hills, where cute little bunnies have turned into our unexpected adversaries. In this blog. If you’re wondering how to keep rabbits out of your garden, you’re in the right place. Just when we thought our precious agave seedlings were safe, a group of furry friends decided to make our garden their all-you-can-eat buffet! Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s hop into this story!

The Rabbit Garden Invasion Begins

Picture this: we had just planted 2,200 agave seedlings, dreaming of a future filled with tequila and mezcal, when suddenly we noticed something was amiss. The bunnies, those adorable little creatures, were munching away at our precious plants. One day we’d lose 10 seedlings, the next day another 15. It was like a horror show for gardeners!

As Jules stumbled through his third day of feeling under the weather, he realized we needed a plan. I mean, who knew that bunnies could be such relentless eaters? They had their eyes on our seedlings, and we had to act fast to keep rabbits out of our garden.

Creating ‘A Keep Rabbits Out Of Our Garden’ Plan

After brainstorming some ideas, we first concocted a spicy little mix to deter these fluffballs. Our home remedy involved mixing garlic powder and chili powder—a combo that sounds good enough to eat, but trust me, it’s not for human consumption! Our son Julian used his hands to mix it all up (just a little note: maybe use a utensil if you’re not feeling adventurous).

The idea was to create a garlic and chili powder moat around our agave castle. You see, the thought was that if these bunnies got a whiff of our concoction, they’d think twice before hopping into our garden. So, we spread it generously around the plants, hoping it would serve as a barrier. After all, who wants to munch on something that tastes like a spicy garlic bomb?

The Battle To Keep Rabbits Out Of Our Garden Intensifies

As we watched the bunnies continue to munch on our seedlings, it became clear that our moat needed reinforcements. We got creative and used tarps to create a physical perimeter around the tiny seedlings. It was a DIY approach to pest control, and let me tell you, it looked like a circus out there!

Still, every day, we lost about 10 plants, and it felt like we were fighting a losing battle. But with our newfound strategy, we hoped to keep rabbits out of our garden for good. Our plan was simple: put the spiky larger agave plants around the edges, creating a natural barrier that would deter those pesky bunnies. This DIY solution was way cheaper than installing an actual fence and looked pretty good, too! Plus, those spiky agave plants are not something rabbits would want to jump over.

The all you can eat bunny buffet

Every morning, I’d walk out to see three or four bunnies hopping around, munching on whatever they could find. Our beautiful attenuata plants we had carefully cultivated along the path down the mountain were now just chomped remains of what they used to be. They turned from vibrant greens into sad little stumps, all thanks to our furry friends. It was heartbreaking!

Even the thriving wine vines around our pergola became a target. Once lush with vibrant green leaves, they are now just a sorry little stick in the ground.

Why We Love Rabbits (But Not in Our Garden)

Don’t get me wrong; We love bunnies. They’re adorable, and watching them hop around the property is one of our favorite pastimes. But when it comes to the plants, it’s a different story. This year, we’ve seen more rabbits than ever, and they’re getting bolder by the day, and it’s no surprise. We put the larger plants around the edge of our property and noticed that the coyotes had stopped coming around as much. This meant the rabbit population was thriving!

Putting Up Plant Cages

After witnessing the devastation, we knew we had to take more drastic measures. We put cages around our wine vines, attenuatas, and other susceptible plants, hoping these barriers would deter the bunnies. And guess what? It seemed to be working! The enclosed wine vines began to bounce back, showing signs of life that we thought were lost.

As we continued to reinforce our defenses, it became clear that our spiky bunny barrier was working. We had successfully kept rabbits out of our nursery, and I felt like a proud parent watching my plants grow back stronger. The spiky larger agave plants served as a natural barrier, allowing sunlight to filter in while keeping our seedlings safe from hungry mouths.

The Final Thoughts

Are you the rabbit that’s been eating all my plants? You little rascal! But as much as I want to scold them, I have to admit that they are just following their instincts. It’s a tough world out there, even for a bunny. The struggle to keep rabbits out of the garden is real, but with a bit of ingenuity and some DIY magic, we can coexist peacefully (at least for now).

Captain’s Log: Day three of our bunny solution, and it seems our tactics are finally paying off!I

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Join the Journey

As we continue to navigate the ups and downs of sustainable farming here in Hollywood, we invite you to join our journey. Follow us on our YouTube channel for more updates, tips, and a glimpse into our agave adventures. And if you want to bring a piece of this iconic location into your home, check out our MulhollandEstateJade – Etsy shop for lucky jade plants grown right here under the Hollywood sign.

Until next time, happy gardening, and may your seedlings thrive without any bunny interference!

Priti

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