Ready To Go

I don't know if they are a deterrent to rabbits but, I had to chime in because I love marigolds too. I had some in front of my tiger lilies which I shared a picture of with you in your discussion about lilies. My marigolds were in that picture too. We aren't allowed to do any outdoor watering in my area right now because of our drought so, the hubby and I are going on year two without doing any planting for spring and summer. We just let what comes in every year do their thing and that is it. We let the rain take care of them because, there are some rules we refuse to break as it will, in the end, hurt everyone. And, we will be sitting back in judgment of those that didn't care that what they are doing has resulted in the harm of themselves and everyone around them! Wow! Where did that high horse come from? LOL! Sorry! I take our drought very seriously and I have a neighbor across the street that totally ignores the state mandated water ban. But, whatever! When he can't flush his toilet and wash the dirt off of his body because there is no more water, as he spent it all on ground he wasn't supposed to be watering, well...who am I to say "Boo!" to him? LOL! Anyway, I do hope your marigolds do the trick. I love the cute little rabbit faces but, they can spell disaster for our beautiful landscaping! Sorry I went on that rant! I don't know what took over me! LOL! Can you plant a marigold in your garden, in my name so there is one out there somewhere, even if it can't be in my own yard? Please! LOL!

I had heard that 'wives tale' for years and always planted marigolds around my garden until about 5 years ago. I moved the location of my garden and had full view from my bedroom window. I had a border all the way around the garden of marigolds. Well, I happen to glance out my window one day and found 1 rabbit, 1 squirel, 1 chipmunk, and a bird all in my garden - except for the bird they all had to have crawled through the marigolds to get in - I haven't planted marigold since :)

Well, that's what I was told when I asked my dad and neighbor when I was a tyke. My dad and neighbor always bordered their gardens with Marigolds and they never had rabbits in their gardens. Guess I carried on the tradition cause I plant them as well. 'Cept I'll just take the seeds from last years plants and scatter them in a line around my garden. What comes up usually ends up being a very thick natural rabbit fence.

We used to plant them around our tomato plants as a bug deterrant, but I've never heard of them working for rabbits. I have rabbits around our house but they never bother my flower beds, of course I feed them lettuce, carrots, etc. so maybe they just aren't very hungry lol

I think thats right from what I remember that marigolds have a scent that rabbits do not like as I do not remember ever seeing rabbits around our flowers or our vegetables gardens. I can almost smell that odd rankish odor of marigolds. I think they are really so pretty but their odor sure is not that pretty. I remember my mom planting a border of marigolds around our vegetable patch also.

This was copied from the website of Gardening Tips by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona Keeping Rabbits Out of Your Garden If your trying to repel rabbits with mothballs, coyote urine, human hair, marigolds, or a myriad of other home remedies, give up! They just don't work. I have people come in the office and tell me that their remedy works just great. But then I've had ten others tell me they used the same remedy with no results. What is tried and true when it comes to keeping rabbits out of the garden is a physical barrier. Anything strong enough and high enough to keep rabbits from punching through or jumping over will work. I found this and didn't know if would be of any help to you or not, but a couple of other websites say about the same thing.. One of the sites say that rabbits like young marigold plants.. Good luck Grandpa

I'm not sure, but I have heard they are a good detterant for bugs. I heard that bugs don't like the smell or something like that and that if you plant them in your flower bed or around your garden, that it will help. I'm not sure how true it is, but it's what I heard.

I have never heard this- but maybe--- wouldn't you think the orange flowers might draw them thinking they are orange like carrots? :) I bet the taste nasty though- I think marigolds are one of the uglier flowers. Please let us know how you make out. I have no problems with rabbits eating my plants, flowers, or garden!

I have no idea whether marigolds work as a deterrent to the rabbits or not but at least they will look nice if they don't work - and if they do even better! lol xxx

I don't know if they do but I know one thing...I love marigolds because they bloom all summer and are so very hardy!

I have heard that, and it wouldn't hurt..Though the smell of marigolds are not really that great, they are pretty and might help protect your other flowers..

Marigolds are a terrific plant for deterring most kinds of bugs, but rabbits are something else. I think some one else already mentioned fox or coyote urine. When I worked in the garden center that is what we recommended as the most effective. We also carried some granular material that I can't remember the name of, but some customers said it didn't work.