How to Prevent Rabbits in a Planter Box

Overview

Planter boxes are a great way of bringing the garden off the ground and up to your height for back pain free planting. Although these raised boxes are up off the ground, it doesn't mean they are free of pests. Rabbits are capable of jumping quite high, so if your planter box is 2 feet high or less, you may have problems. There are several ways to deal with a rabbit infestation, including fences and repellents to deter their munching habits.

Step 1

Measure the length and width around your planter box and multiply the number by two to determine the length of chicken wire required. The University of Illinois recommends using chicken wire that is 3 feet high to deter rabbits from jumping over.

Step 2

Cut the chicken wire using your wire cutter so that it is slightly longer than the length you need.

Step 3

Dig a hole around the garden that is between 4 to 6 inches deep. The University of Minnesota recommends burying 4 to 6 inches of the fence so that rabbits can not dig under it.

Step 4

Hammer a stake at each corner of the planter box and wrap the chicken wire around the stake using a thin piece of wire, with the bottom 4 to 6 inches of the wire mesh in your hole. Use several pieces of wire so that the fence is secure and bury the bottom of the fence.

Step 5

Spray the rabbit repellent, available at most garden centers on and around the chicken wire as added protection.