No, mariglods will not deter rabbits. The flowers do a great job of attracting spidermites though.

There are two options to protect against rabbits:

Gun
Fence

You forgot dog and hawk.

Ha, ha. First 3 options are out. I would love to encourage the hawks if I knew how. For a few years the coyotes who moved into the area did a fine job on the bunnies, but they seem to have moved on. My cat worked her tail off too, but is no longer allowed outside after she picked up a parasite in the yard which caused a stroke. I tried the liquid fence too: fine as long as it didnÂt rain, then the rabbits must have come out the second it stopped.

Linnea,
Border collies work fantastically but (sadly) they only last 12-13 years...

Terry Light
Oak Hill, Virginia

If they attract thrips and spider mites, why do so many people like to plant them in tomato beds?

rexx, good question ,i would like to know the answer to this aswell. I just planted some in my beds with the assumption that they would help ward off bugs.

Yes dogs work well but only when they are outside and free to chase. And you need your dog never to take naps as rabbits feed mostly in early morning and early evening. Never take your dog to the vet either. If the dog isn't on partol even for an hour the plants are gone. What I am saying is that a dog is great but not 100%.

More on mariglods... every garden I have ever visited near me that had marigolds growing in full sun had spidermites without exception. Maybe my area is prone to this situation. I have no idea. But I stopped growing them years ago.

linnea, I wish I had a magic solution for you but a fence is 100%. Perhaps a fence with a secure gate?

I was starting to think that the tomato forum has some flower haters on it!

I have never had spider mites on any outdoor plants. I do occasionally get them on indoor plants. Oddly enough, most often on plants I grow on my deck and bring inside to overwinter, usually right before it is time to put them out again. A short time outside and they are "cured". Maybe itÂs the chilly Midwest nights. Ditto whitefly, which I got on the dahlias I stared inside this year. Shortly after the dahlias were put outside to harden off the whiteflies were gone.

I had some idea that the scent of marigold leaves was supposed to repel something. Maybe it was bugs, not rabbits. IÂm sure IÂve seen them planted in vegetable gardens; I think even in the local Botanical garden. Just an old wives tale? Though in actually I donÂt like marigolds too much (donÂt like any flower in a mustard-y color). In the vegetable garden I wouldnÂt mind them because they would not clash with anything else. Maybe I just needed an excuse to buy a few more flowersÂ

IÂd still use them but now IÂm worried about thrips!

AH-HAH! The marigolds win! Check out this scientific article proving their benefits!

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6M-48CX1T2-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0amp;_userid=10&md5=85a13ff31e563ec87a28ed450ffe6699

Then google "marigold tomato" and see what else you find. In addition to the article above which proves than to have an inhibitory effect on blight, apparently they play host to beneficial insects that prey on pests that can harm tomatoes.

IÂm going ahead and planting them tomorrow; though I still donÂt know what to do about the rabbits.

I planted marigolds to help with the root nematodes that are rife in my area. Seems to be working well for me. I did have some spider mites earlier this year, but they only lasted a couple of days before disappearing. I noticed the ladybugs arrived around the same time the mites (and aphids) "left", coincidence? I hope not.
I don't have a problem with rabbits, the neighbors have three very noisy dogs that seemed to scare off everything save for squirrels, rats and possums, and since I got my dog all of the wild mammals except the squirrels have left. I think to get the squirrels to leave we'll have to convince the other neighbors to stop feeding them. If you know someone with a dog that sheds a lot, you might ask them for some of the hair and see if incorporating it into the mulch along the edge or distributing it around the paths helps deter them.

Marigolds are planted near tomatoes b'c initial observations showed that they could possibly serve two functions.

One, is that they do secrete a weak nematocide that has shown some activity against pathogenic root knot nematodes and second b'c they serve as a trap crop for those same nematodes. That means that nematodes infect them but can't complete their life cycle in the marigolds so are eliminated.

But two problems.

First, one has to use the Tagetes type marigolds, not just any marigolds and second it's become quite clear that one just can't plant a few Tagetes marigolds here and there, rather, they have to be planted as a dense cover crop and then tilled under. And that takes the growing area out of use for a whole season.

Ebon rye is another cover crop that has shown weak activity.

If RK nematodes are the problem it's best to amend the soil with lots of organic material b'c those nematodes, where present, can multiply to high numbers in warm sandy soil where temps don't freeze.

Adding the organic material makes the sand grains be further apart and that helps b'c the nematodes move from sand grain to sand grain via the water shell that surrounds each grain and that's how they build up to high destructive populations.

So RKN's are not a possible problem in the US except from maybe GA down to Fl, along the Gulf coast up into CA.

I love flowers, both annuals and perennials, but I sure wouldn't plant Tagetes, aka French, short, marigolds just to deter RKN's if they were a problem in my area, which they aren't. I'd work more with improving the soil as a longer term possible solution. Or as a last resort, growing my tomatoes in containers.

Carolyn

There are many different types of mites. I am talking the warm weather type (two spotted) and not the cool weather (spruce) type. I have read your link and it is a lone wolf. All the other links on Google page 1 support my reference that mites do indeed love marigolds in warm weather. The warmer the weather the faster they breed. They are a major problem where I garden. Back in my old chem days I tried various miticides (Isotox, Kelthane), water blasts, soaps, oils, etc and nothing worked. I went totally organic about 13 years ago and now I am nearly mite free because I release green lacewings into my garden in early June every year.

Anyway, keep an eye out on those marigold's...:)

Yeah bigdaddyj.........a native flower protects a semi-native vegetable......ya think! Besides it seemed to be used to affect the humidity that caused the problem with blight.

I've used floating row cover to deter rabbits with some success. Last year, when they ate my pole beans down to stumps, I replanted and wrapped the bottom of the teepee with row cover (secured it to the poles with clothes pins). The beans grew up and escaped and the rabbits were baffled. This year I have a checken wire fence so I can grow bush beans too.

linnea, wow that is some link. Could that be true? WOnder how many marigolds you would have to put under each plant to deter conidia production and create that microclimate. Seems unbelieveable.

I was just going to write that planting marigolds to repel pests has been proven ineffectual though many books and magazines still promote the practice. Even Organic Gardening magazine says it doesn't work.

They are supposed to attract spider mites. Didn't know they attracted thrips--that alone would put them in my NEVER GROW list as I have had TSWV in previous years.

I did grow the special nematicidal marigold as a cover crop in a few areas. They are like a huge dense shrub--nothing like the little plants at the nursery. I couldn't really dig them in those areas as you are supposed to so I really can't say if they deterred nematodes or not.

I 'guess' you could plant one of these big marigold 'bushes' and then just press it over and plant a tomato right in the living mulch of the marigold. Just pray for no thrips. Because TSWV is much worse than early blight.

What is TSWV?

I have not had nematodes so far. Maybe they are not prevalent in my area. I have not had any insect problems either, when I have grown marigolds elsewhere in my garden. (Though I donÂt like them, my daughter does: when she has gone to the nursery with me she picks what she wants.). Japanese beetles on my roses, yes. Are marigolds a thrip magnet just under certain conditions? Or in conjuction with tomatoes?

I still need to find a plant that rabbits HATE! (I need my revengeÂ).

TSWV = tomato spotted wilt virus

Nasty virus vectored by thrips.

I have not had nematodes so far

*****

And you won't, not the pathogenic ones anyway. As I said above they prefer sandy warm soils and will be found where the ground doesn't freeze/

The RKN's I'm speaking of here are also called the southern ones, and there are some northern ones but rarely, and I mean rarely, have they been IDed as being a problem. I think I can remember only one person in the past 20 years who had the northern ones IDed as being a problem.

So we zone 5 ers such as yourself, don't have RKN's to worry about.

Carolyn

I work at a greenhouse and am ask this question frequently. Marigolds will not deter rabbits, my co worker actually seen rabbits eating her marigolds. Now maybe they do deter certain insects but not bunnies. I have had a bad problem with rabbits at my house too. Almost gave up on growing peas and beans because of them. I have a fence around my garden and that keeps the big ones out but the babies can squeeze through. I also have a large dog but honestly shes getting lazy in her older years. So last year my bosses son gave me some castor bean plants. Swore they help keep away critters. I put a couple in the garden and i have to say i didn't have a bunny problem. Now i don't know if it was the castor beans or not but i have planted some in my garden this year too. I am aware they are poisonous so obviously you would want to keep children and small animals away. Which is not a problem since my garden is fenced in. Im curious to see if bunnies are a problem this year. So far so good. But my beans and peas are just starting to sprout so we shall see. Tami K

A good cat will take care of the rabbit problem.

Cindy

My vegetable garden is too small for castor beans, but I love the way they look. I hope to get some in the future for their ornamental value. I have some perennials like lilies that are consistently attacked by rabbits, so will keep that in mind for a companion planting.

My cat did her best in previous years, but I only let her out when she could be supervised. Too many big dogs around, plus the occasional coyote at night. Last year she picked up a parasite in the yard (too long a story to detail here), and suffered a stroke and brain damage as a result. I thought she was safe if only allowed out with me: I was thinking only of predators. I didnÂt know about these parasites then. My little former gardening buddy is on 2 x a day anti-seizure medication. So even if I get a new cat, she/he will not be allowed out in the future. The pet is more valuable than the rabbit-chaser.

Re: "And you won't, not the pathogenic ones anyway. As I said above they prefer sandy warm soils and will be found where the ground doesn't freeze/

The RKN's I'm speaking of here are also called the southern ones, and there are some northern ones but rarely, and I mean rarely, have they been IDed as being a problem. I think I can remember only one person in the past 20 years who had the northern ones IDed as being a problem.

So we zone 5 ers such as yourself, don't have RKN's to worry about."

Yes, there are benefits to winter! On a trip to Mexico last winter my teen daughter had been complaining all the way down about how terribly cold the Midwest was, how she hated winter, etc., how much better it must be to live at all points south. Then she saw some insects of frightening dimensions, and said, "I didnÂt know they could get that big! IÂm glad we donÂt have those!" Where upon I said, "And you know why, right?" Point madeÂ

Don't forget Elmer Fudd.

bigdaddyj More on mariglods... every garden I have ever visited near me that had marigolds growing in full sun had spidermites without exception. Maybe my area is prone to this situation. I have no idea. But I stopped growing them years ago.

How very odd. I've grown marigolds in full sun for years and have never had that problem. I have found that rose chaffers really enjoy them, however.

Course one possible issue with the 'dog solution' is if said dog crashes through said plants............

I'm in NW NJ (aka "tomato capital"), and only grow tomatos for the family - 1 or 2 plants a year.

Anyway, I've always used marigolds b/c that's what everyone around here said to do. I think it was b/c the marigolds attract the ladybugs, which eat the aphids. I've see lots of aphids, and no spidermites.

Our marigolds grow beautifully here w/o any spidermite probs.

Then again, our tomatoes don't enjoy completely full sun b/c of our location, so the marigolds don't get completely full sun either. Maybe the region (NW NJ) combined w/a couple hours less than full sun has something to do w/ why marigolds "work" for us well w/toms here in NJ ??

All the Best, Tree (who usually hangs out in Soil Forum, but lurks around the others to see what everyone's up to :)

Wow..that's a first I've ever heard of Marigold attracting spider mites and thrips.
I grow Marigold tagetes (short and tall types) in my beds in hot full sun and have never had either infested with either pest. Our summers are hot and dry too with low humidity.
I've pulled off some thrip infested Brandywine leaves today though but are not near Marigold, but Calendula this year in a new bed.
In the other bed where I have both Marigold and Tomatoes plus Calendula the tomato plants have no thrips...have never had them. However this bed is also surrounded by lots of flowering perennials and annuals that attract a ton of beneficials to the area.

Cindy is right. Get a cat that likes to hunt.

We live in a "no fencing" subdivision, and rabbits killed hundreds of dollars of plants in my yard over and over, often the first morning after I planted them.

One cat stopped all that, as well as ridding us of chipmunks, skunk visits, and most of our squirrels. We let her have a couple of litters and kept Big Red, our current patrol cat.

He sleeps inside during the day, but goes out at dusk and stays out all night. Mama Cat retired to a neighbors house. Better food I guess.

My cat hates clay kitty litter so I have to use the pumice dirt we have here. I started dumping the cat box NEAR the back garden. Haven't made it all the way around it yet and plan to put in turkey wire on 3 sides. Rabbit and squirrel tracks are never where I have dumped the used dirt.

I just finished my owl house - a bird house for screech owls. They will populate in suburban areas, but generally cannot find the habitat. I'll keep you posted.

Revenge will be so sweet...

I have used Cayenne pepper to keep rabbits off my beans when they first come up. Just sprinkle it on when they just come up and after rains. After the plants are established, the rabbits seem to leave them alone. Just be sure to wash your hands afterwards before touching sensitive areas on your self. Eyes, nose and points South. I have also used dried blood as a deterent.
Bill

I don't have any veggies planted, but I can tell you, we have rabbits and I have caught them several times chewing up my marigolds. I planted 18 plants, half yellow and half gold and the rabbits are feasting on them. Every morning and every evening. I had dozens of blooms and almost all are gone now. When I run out there to scare them they just hop away but are back the next day. Apparently these Georgia rabbits love marigolds!

Years ago I planted some Marigold in my garden, for its claimed repellent role.

Guess what ? They were eaten by something. hahaha

Deterring rabbits is the easiest of them critters. All you need a 24" wide rabbit fence, partially inserted into the ground. Rabbits don't jump or climb. The worst is squirrels.

Sey

Thanks for the tip. I hate to use a fence because the marigolds are so visible from the street. But might have to.

Hawks like to raid bird feeders. They mostly pick off the morning doves.

If I catch a mouse in a trap, I put it on something high and in plain view of any eagle-eyed hawk. Hawks and owls will, unfortunately, also take beneficial toads and snakes.

I once inadvertently had a "snake house" in my back garden. I'd left a large black vinyl-poly commercial pot in a bare spot. The pot was facing up and filled half way with old, dried small branches, yanked weeds, a few 1 pound stones, and so on. Of course, it had the large drain holes at ground level. One hot day, I went to pick up the debris inside the large pot and was surprised to see that a huge garter snake was napping at the bottom, insulated from the sun by the dried layered debris. The stones had kept the wind from tossing the put about.

I left the snake there, but wondered what he'd been eating -- perhaps some pesky voles or mice. The UV light is hard on the poly pots, but I think I'd go find one to sacrifice and furnish it as described above.

I find that there are some plants rabbits can't resist, like beets, chard, parsley, etc. I grow those on the roof of my garage in containers. But they leave most stuff alone. I think it's because I don't try to keep a pristine back or side lawn. I let the clover, plantain, dandelion, etc. grow in the lawn at will, with only the front lawn kept weed-free to placate the neighborhood, and the rabbits prefer the grass and the weeds growing in it to what's in the veggie beds. There have been a ton of rabbits this year--I saw lots of babies and juveniles earlier in the season (they're all grown now) and up to 3 or 4 rabbits grazing on my tiny .25 acre yard at a time, yet not a single vegetable plant has been lost to them so far. I'm not saying they haven't taken the occasional bite out of something here or there, but nothing significant. I used to run out and try to scare them off until I realized they weren't doing anything bad. So now I just enjoy having them around.

So how much damage rabbits do probably have a lot to do with what's available to them. My parents used to live in one of those McMansion subdivisions with an overbearing HOA where everyone had impeccably manicured yards, and there were terrible issues with rabbits eating their ornamentals (they couldn't have a veggie garden). I imagine that people living in drier areas with less natural rabbit fodder would also have more problems.

I had heard that marigold would deter insects, so I planted one in each hole with my eggplant. My eggplant got flea beetles..marigolds were pristine! Maybe they only deter insects on themselves!