The Self-Seeding Herb You Can Plant To Keep Rabbits At Bay In The Garden

Planting "rabbit-proof" or "rabbit-resistant" plants is a great way to keep these critters from chewing up your garden. There are many fragrant herbs you can add to your garden to keep rabbits away. Borage (Borago officinalis) is one such self-seeding herb that is great for deterring rabbits. The strong scent, along with the rough texture of the leaves, makes borage unappetizing to rabbits. Plus, the self-seeding nature means that you only have to plant it once. In some cases, the seeds can spread through the garden, so you may need to thin new sprouts at the start of each season.

Rabbit control is not the only benefit of adding borage to your garden, though. Pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies love the nectar produced by the plant, which helps improve the overall health of your garden. Not to mention, the entire plant can be used to make food, drinks, and even oils for human use.

Planting borage in your garden is simple. It grows best in USDA Hardiness zones 2 to 11. Keep in mind it isn't a plant that you will want to transplant, so you should aim plant the seeds during March or April directly in the soil where they will live. There aren't any special considerations needed regarding soil conditions, but you should make sure they are planted in an area that will get full sun.

Borage is also great for pairing with companion plants that do double duty to repel garden visitors. There are a wide array of options including herbs such as thyme, parsley, and dill. In addition, you can keep rabbits out of your garden with flowers they can't stand, many of which also grow well in gardens with borage. Think irises, daffodils, and peonies. Borage is also particularly helpful at repelling pests and disease from nearby crops, including tomatoes, strawberries, legumes, spinach, brassicas, and squash. This is because borage naturally adds minerals to the surrounding soil.

Although borage and other rabbit-resistant herbs and plants can make a difference in the types of animals frequenting your yard, there is no guarantee that adding these plants alone will prevent all rabbit-related damage in your garden. In some cases, young rabbits that are unfamiliar with certain plants may still be interested in taking a few nibbles here and there. With that in mind, you may want to use a few other tricks to keep them away. 

Combining rabbit-resistant plants and fencing around the perimeter of the garden is one of the most effective ways to prevent rabbit damage. You will want to use chicken wire, or a similar type of fencing, with 1-inch holes or smaller. For best results, the fence should be at least 2-feet high with the base buried a few inches in the ground. As an added measure, you could also sprinkle fan-favorite pantry items around your garden. In particular, coffee grounds and onions are known to help prevent rabbit activity.