I need to keep rabbits out of my vegetable garden. What's the best type of garden fence?

The best all-around rabbit fence is galvanized wire mesh—hardware cloth or welded wire—with small openings.

• Mesh: 1 inch or smaller; ½-inch hardware cloth is especially secure for young rabbits.
• Height: About 2–3 feet above ground is usually sufficient.
• Bottom: This is crucial. Bury it 6 inches or bend the bottom outward into an L-shaped 6–12-inch apron so rabbits can't dig underneath.
• Gate: Make sure there's no gap underneath the gate—it's a common escape route.

My recommendation

For a typical vegetable garden, I'd use 24–30-inch-tall galvanized welded wire with 1-inch mesh, with the bottom 6 inches buried or turned outward. It's strong, relatively inexpensive, and easy to remove or reposition.

Chicken wire works too, and university extension guidance specifically recommends it, but I'd favor welded wire/hardware cloth if you're building something you want to last.

If you tell me roughly how big your garden is, I can also suggest the most economical fence setup and how much material you'll need.

To keep rabbits out of your vegetable garden effectively, you need a fence that blocks them from squeezing through or digging underneath. Here is the breakdown of the best type of fence and how to set it up:

• Material: 1-inch (or smaller) galvanized hardware cloth or welder wire . Chicken wire is often the first thing people try, but rabbits can easily squeeze through 2-inch hexagonal chicken wire mesh when they are young, or even chew through flimsy wire over time.
• Height: At least 2 feet tall above ground. Rabbits generally don't jump high unless startled, so 24 inches is usually sufficient (though 3 feet gives you a little extra security).
• Dig Protection (Crucial): Rabbits are notorious diggers. Bury the bottom 6 to 12 inches of the fence underground, or bend the bottom 6 inches outward at a 90-degree angle away from the garden in an "L-shape" and bury that shallowly. When the rabbit tries to dig right at the base of the fence, it hits the wire instead of soft dirt and gives up.
• Gate Closures: Ensure any gate sits flush to the ground with no gap underneath. A 2-inch gap at the bottom of a gate is an open invitation.

Would you like to know about alternative non-fence deterrents (like repellents or plants) or do you need help planning the installation for your specific garden size?

To keep rabbits out of your vegetable garden effectively, you need a fence that is both the right material and installed with a dig-proof design . Since rabbits can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps and burrow underneath, standard chicken wire or loose netting won't cut it.

• Hardware cloth: This is the gold standard for rabbit fencing. Use 1/𝟐-inch (or𝟏/𝟒-inch) galvanized welded wire mesh. It is sturdy, practically invisible from a distance, and features holes too small for even baby rabbits to squeeze through.
• Height: Build the fence at least𝟐t o 3 f e e t t a l l . Rabbits are not strong jumpers and rarely clear a 2-foot vertical barrier unless startled.
• Anti-dig apron: Bury the bottom𝟔t o 1 2 i n c h e s of the wire vertically into the ground, or bend the bottom 6 inches outward at a 90° angle away from the garden just under the soil surface. This stops rabbits from scratching and tunneling underneath.
• Electric poultry netting: If you need a temporary or portable option, a low-voltage electric net (like those found on Premier1 Supplies ) delivers a safe, memorable shock that deters rabbits and other small critters instantly.
• Standard chicken wire: While budget-friendly, regular chicken wire (1-inch hexagonal mesh) can be pushed open or chewed through by persistent wildlife over time, and young kits can slip right through the openings. Welded wire is vastly superior.

If you'd like, let me know:

• How large your garden is
• Whether you have other pests to worry about (like deer or groundhogs)

I can help you choose the right height and layout for your specific setup.

The best all-around rabbit fence is a sturdy metal wire fence with mesh openings no larger than 1 inch. For a vegetable garden, I’d choose 1/2-inch or 1-inch welded wire/hardware cloth rather than flimsy plastic netting.

Recommended setup

• Height: 24–30 inches above ground is generally enough for cottontail rabbits. Go to 36 inches if larger/jumping rabbits are an issue.
• Mesh: 1 inch or smaller so young rabbits can't squeeze through.
• Bottom: This is crucial. Bury 4–6 inches of the wire, or bend the bottom outward into an L-shaped 6–12-inch apron and pin it to the ground. That prevents rabbits from simply digging underneath.
• Gate: Make sure the gate reaches all the way to the ground; a surprisingly small gap can become the entrance.

My pick: 24–30-inch-tall galvanized welded wire with 1/2–1-inch mesh, plus an outward-facing buried/apron section. It's durable, relatively unobtrusive, and much more reliable than repellents.

If you tell me roughly how big your garden is, I can also recommend the most economical fence design and materials.

The best all-around choice is small-mesh metal wire fencing, especially ½-inch hardware cloth or welded wire. It’s much more reliable than relying on repellents or scare devices.

For a vegetable garden, I’d build it like this:

• Height: 24–30 inches above ground. Rabbits generally won't jump a 2-foot fence, though 30 inches gives you extra insurance.
• Mesh: ½ inch is my preference; 1 inch or smaller is generally sufficient, including for young rabbits.
• Bottom: This is crucial. Either bury the fence 6 inches or make an outward-facing 6-inch wire apron along the ground to stop rabbits from digging underneath.
• Gate: Make sure there's no gap underneath it—rabbits are particularly good at exploiting the bottom of gates.

My pick

½-inch galvanized hardware cloth, about 30 inches tall, with a 6-inch outward apron.

It's a little more expensive than chicken wire, but it's durable and provides excellent protection. If you're looking for the simplest inexpensive option, 1-inch chicken wire, 2 feet high, securely pinned to the ground also works well.

If you tell me the approximate size of your garden and whether you're dealing with cottontails or jackrabbits, I can suggest the most economical fence setup and how much material you'd need.

Here are top web results for exploring this topic:

Tractor Supply·https://www.tractorsupply.com**Rabbit** Proof Fencing to Protect Your Garden - Tractor Supply The fastest way to barricade small furry friends from the garden is to use push-in garden panels. This fence type is available in various styles and materials, like vinyl, metal, and cedar. The panels Planter | Garden Planner·https://planter.garden**Rabbit** Proof Your Garden Some will still dig under the buried fence. To solve this problem, the key is to bend the bottom of the fence into an L shape, so that the bottom of the L splays out and away from your garden. This wa Reddit·https://www.reddit.com Fencing advice for bunnies : r/gardening - Reddit Rabbits are territorial. You will stop most getting in. Additional buried chicken wire fencing for your beds if you have beds. Get this done before they start mating and dropping teeny weeny babies on Facebook·https://www.facebook.com**What type** of fence can keep rabbits out of a garden ? - Facebook It's nice that you could stick it a little way into the ground to keep things from digging under. I use chicken wire and don't have any problem with things coming underneath and it is probably cheaper Amazon.com·https://www.amazon.com 10 Pack Garden Fence Animal Barrier Fencing 1.44 inch Spacing ...Amazon.com : 10 Pack Garden Fence Animal Barrier Fencing 1.44 inch Spacing Total 10.8ft (L) x 24in High Rustproof Metal Wire Yard Blocker Rabbit Dog Border for Outdoor Flower Bed Decor Green : Patio, Critter Fencing·https://www.critterfence.com**Rabbit Fence** | Chew-Resistant Garden Protection | Critterfence©Deer and Rabbit Combination Fence Kits With Rodent Barrier (MOST POPULAR) (Two Layers Of Fence). This is the most popular type of fence to keep out deer and rabbits. These kits consist of poly fencing YouTube·https://www.youtube.com Building a simple fence to protect your veggies from rabbits - YouTube In this video, we'll guide you step-by-step on how to install rabbit-proof fencing around your garden. Keep your plants safe and protect your crops from wild rabbits with a simple and effective fencin Permies.com·https://permies.com**Best fence** /way to keep rabbits out of the annual vegetable garden?Best fence/way to keep rabbits out of the annual vegetable garden? apple core. Janet Dowell ,. May 19, 2012 09:41:48. (0 apple) (0 apple cores). +Pie Number of slices to send: Send … The wild rabbits Quora·https://www.quora.com**What type** of barriers are most effective for keeping rabbits away ...Related. What is the best way to protect plants from rabbits? Profile photo for Sharon Sampson · Sharon Sampson. Landscape Architect, 3X Master Gardener, Exercise Specialist · Author has 3.5K answers The Spruce·https://www.thespruce.com How to Keep Rabbits Out of Garden With or Without Fences Protect Individual Plants. Use 1/4- to 1/2-inch mesh chicken wire or hardware cloth to form cylinders around new trees, shrubs, or vines. Bury the fencing 6 inches deep to prevent burrowing. Provide s

To keep rabbits out of your vegetable garden effectively, you need a fence that blocks them both from squeezing through and from digging underneath.

• Chicken wire: Use a height of at least 2 to 3 feet. Crucially, the mesh holes must be 1 inch or smaller (preferably 1 inch or 0.5 inch at the bottom) because baby rabbits can squeeze through surprisingly tiny gaps.
• Hardware cloth: This is a welded wire mesh (rather than twisted like chicken wire) that is much sturdier and completely chew-proof. A 0.5-inch or 0.25-inch mesh size provides absolute protection against rabbits and smaller pests like voles.
• Electric fencing: A two-strand low-impedance electric fence works exceptionally well. Place the bottom wire about 3 to 4 inches off the ground (right at a rabbit's nose level) and the second wire about 8 to 10 inches high.
• Buried apron (Anti-dig feature): Whichever wire fencing you choose, rabbits are notorious diggers. You need to bury the bottom 6 to 12 inches of the fence vertically, or bend the bottom 6 to 12 inches outward away from the garden in an "L" shape and bury it just under the surface so they hit the wire when they try to dig.

To help narrow down the best setup for your yard, tell me:

• How large is your vegetable garden?
• What is your budget or preference (temporary vs. permanent)?
• Are you dealing with other pests (like deer or groundhogs) that might change the fence height needed?

For a vegetable garden, the best rabbit fence is a low, small-mesh wire fence—simple and very effective.

• Material: galvanized chicken wire or welded wire.
• Mesh: 1 inch or smaller so young rabbits can't squeeze through.
• Height: about 2 feet above ground is normally enough for cottontails. If jackrabbits are present, go to 3 feet.
• Bottom: This is the most important part. Bury it 4–6 inches, or bend the bottom outward into a 6–12 inch horizontal apron to stop rabbits from digging underneath.
• Gates: Make sure the gate also reaches the ground and has no gaps underneath.

My pick: a 2–3 ft tall galvanized welded-wire fence with 1-inch mesh, plus a 6-inch-deep or outward-facing buried apron. Welded wire costs a little more than chicken wire but generally lasts longer.

You don't need an expensive 6-foot garden fence just for rabbits. Physical exclusion is much more reliable than sprays or scent repellents.

If you tell me roughly how big your garden is, I can also suggest the most economical fence setup and how much material you'd need.

A wire mesh fence is the most effective way to keep rabbits out of your vegetable garden.

Best Fence Specifications

• Material : Galvanized hex netting (chicken wire) or hardware cloth.
• Mesh Size : 1 inch or smaller so baby rabbits cannot squeeze through.
• Height : 2 feet to 3 feet above the ground to prevent jumping.
• Depth : Buried 6 inches to 12 inches deep to stop digging.

Top Wire Mesh Options

• Amagabeli Hardware Cloth : This 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch galvanized wire mesh provides a completely impenetrable barrier against rabbits of all sizes and holds up well underground.
• Yardgard Galvanized Hex Netting : A classic 1-inch chicken wire option that is lightweight, highly flexible for wrapping around existing structures, and very budget-friendly.
• Fencer Wire Welded Wire Fence : A heavier duty 1x1 inch grid option that offers more structural rigidity than standard chicken wire, making it easier to stand up with fewer fence posts.

Installation Tips

• L-Shaped Trench : Bend the bottom 6 inches of the wire outward away from the garden in a ditch before burying it.
• Support Posts : Space metal T-posts every 4 to 6 feet to keep the wire taut.
• Gate Clearance : Keep the bottom of your garden gate within 2 inches of the ground.

If you want to customize your defense setup, let me know:

• What vegetables are you currently growing?
• Do you have an existing fence we can modify?
• How large is the area you need to protect?

I can help you plan the exact layout or suggest alternative repellents.

For a vegetable garden, the best all-around rabbit fence is galvanized welded-wire or hardware-cloth fencing with openings of 1 inch or smaller.

• Height: about 2 feet above ground is generally sufficient for cottontail rabbits.
• Mesh: 1 inch or smaller; ½-inch hardware cloth is even more secure, particularly for young rabbits.
• Bottom: This is crucial. Bury the fence 4–6 inches, or bend the bottom outward into an L-shaped 6–12-inch apron and pin it to the soil. This prevents rabbits from digging underneath.
• Material: Welded wire is sturdier and longer-lasting than inexpensive chicken wire. Chicken wire works too if you want the budget option.

My pick: 2-foot-tall, 1-inch welded-wire fencing, with the bottom buried about 6 inches. If rabbits are especially persistent, use ½-inch hardware cloth around the lower portion.

One thing I'd avoid is standard 2×4-inch garden/deer fencing by itself—the openings are large enough for rabbits to squeeze through.

If you tell me the approximate size of your garden and whether it's raised beds or in-ground, I can suggest the simplest fence setup and how much material you'd need.