Still undecided on which fencing to use for my rented garden spot. Just to refresh your memory, I have to be able to get EVERYTHING out of the garden at the end of the season. So I want my fencing (rabbits are a big problem) to be easily put in and taken out, yet keep out the ravening bunnies and possibly a wandering woodchunk. I also would like to use something that holds up better than chicken wire.

I was out at one of the building centers, and found some green plastic mesh fencing. The mesh spacing is adequate to keep out even the little bunnies, but I am not certain whether rabbits will chew through the plastic mesh. It wasn't terribly thick either.

Do rabbits show that much intelligence? I know that they might dig under a barrier, but will they try to chew through? Squirrels will eat through plastic when thwarted [or just to polish their teeth it seems]. How about the fearsome bunnies?

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2001

Answers

Joy, We bought rabbit fencing at Menards (we used to live near Madison) for $14/ 50 ft. It has very fine mesh on the bottom, and was about the same price as plastic web (snow or construction fence) We installed it with regular T-posts at the corners and re-bars where needed. It is durable enough to re-use over and over. The cheapest option for a large garden seems to be regular woven field fence at about $70 for 330 ft. It's also way better quality than anything else, but has rather large openings. It would not keep out small rabbits.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

You can buy welded wire fence that will keep rabbits out at most farm supply stores. If they don't stock the shorter version you can have them order it. Rather pricy but last forever.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

You may want to consider something strong enough yet flexible enough to be able to bury some of it around the perimeter (because of their digging nature. Rabbits I've had were also very good chewers! Have you thought about chicken wire?

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Just re-read your post and noted that you wanted something *other* than chicken wire. Sorry...no coffee yet! (For my $.02, I'd use chicken wire fencing, though, and bury some of it extending away from my garden. But no doubt you have already considered that.)

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Sometimes I think DUH is the only word that entirely describes my brain. I was thinking back on when we had rabbits (I was a kid and it was more than 30 years ago, does that excuse me?), and all the things they would chew through. So I think the answer is YES, rabbits will chew through plastic. This stuff isn't as heavy as the (fluorescent) orange snow fencing. I think maybe I could chew through it!

It was at Menards that I saw this stuff. They used to have green coated chicken wire (smaller mesh that most chix wire too), but I didn't see any thing time. I have to go back there, so this time I will ask if they have it.

My problem with chicken wire, other than that it seems to corrode and rust away in just a few years, is that is seems to get bent all funny and comes to life and fights back when you try to do anything with it, like roll it up to store it for the winter. Maybe I could lay it on the drive and walk it flat before I try rolling it up. Gotta get something before it's all gone. It's weird. First, the stores seem to have nothing in them, then a week later it's all come in and been bought already! Who is it that has the time to be checking out the stores every day? Not me . . . .

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Joy -

Can't help much with wild bunnies, as they've never been a problem for me. However, domestic bunnies would be happily munching all things green and juicy in your garden. They are little 'Houdinis' that chew through wood - and in one case here - even the 1/2 inch wire mesh. Chicken wire would be a breeze for them, and doesn't hold up well anyway...

I would see about the 1-by (1/2" x 1") hardware cloth... It is small enough to keep them out - and strong enough - yet is still cheaper than most other fencing you will find. They also have fencing specific to rabbits, but I've never priced it... Usually when there is a purpose attached like that, the price goes up without regard to quality!! Play yard fencing will work too...

One thing to remember - rabbits are burrowing creatures... They will dig under what they can't climb (yes - they DO climb!) or go through. Put some boards at the base....

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2001