Rabbits!

I have consulted with the team who suggest you have a look at the RHS list of plants which deter rabbits. It is very comprehensive so should be a great help.

Myself and Maggie are fortunate not to have this problem. I’ve had a couple which have appeared several years ago but apart from munching on my tulips and leaving a huge hole nothing much since but I won’t mention our vole problem!

Rabbits apparently dislike strongly scented herbs such as rosemary, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano and mint. Hellebores, euphorbias, foxgloves, daffodils, onion and leeks. Some suggest doing a staggered row of plants around the perimeter of the garden but if your garden is large then this might not be possible and I know you said fencing wasn’t practical. Rabbits usually feed dawn and dusk and could be put off by motion activated sprinklers. These can work off a battery or connected to a hosepipe. I have had really good success in managing cats with this method and they do not harm the animals.

Vulnerable seedlings and young plants should be cloched and/or wire protected. Wire enclosures should be 3ft tall. Trees should be protected with tree guards.  Some people leave a delicacy of crops where they might feed and leave other plants alone. Ferns and ornamental grasses they tend to avoid.

I would try and see where they might be coming in and plug those areas with thorny shrubs such as berberis and pyrancantha etc. If you want to grow vegetables then onions, leeks and garlic are good to grow. Raised beds with netting as a defence for others.

It would be interesting to see what works for you and I wish you every happiness in your new plot.