Do rabbits and/or squirrels like onions?

I read one time that rabbits and squirrels won't bother onions. Is that true? Also, what about leafy veggies planted in containers on the patio? Should I protect them in some way from "predators?" or will they be reluctant to come that close to an area that we regularly use?

Peggy,

I can't speak about squirrels, but I know that rabbits don't bother my onions. We have a heavy population of cotton-tails and they seem to ignore my onions. That is the only section of my garden I don't have to fence. The rabbits "love" fresh pea sprouts, small lettuces, and other greens. I have a small-weave fence around the rest of my garden to at least discourage them from getting into the garden.

If you have containers that are elevated, they are probably safe from rabbits...but wouldn't be from squirrels. Around here, the rabbits come right up to our porch (as evidenced by the gift of pellets they leave behind in the grass). I don't think squirrels are much afraid of being around people, either. Good luck!

David

I plant onions and garlic among my tomato and Hosta plants to discourage varmits and it seems to work.
Vickie

Thank you all! I'm thinking humans are the only mammal that likes onions-?? I had a dog once that would eat anything, but she wouldn't touch onions!

Although squirrels won't eat onions (or daff bulbs either) they will dig them up and move/bury them if they seem to have the time on their hands/paws. I've had them do that. Go red tailed hawk, go!

Interesting. . .we will see!

Squirrels are the Simon Bar Sinisters or the rodent world. Always coming up with some demented plot to trip up us humans!

gohers love to eat mine. so frustrating

Gophers eat onions?

Better seasoned for gopher stew =8~O! Oh, nooooooo! LOL!

there does not seem to be much i can plant that they dont eat ! first time i noticed i went to see why my onion stalk (not sure if that is correct word) was tipping over, only to find that the gophers had eaten every part of the onion that was under ground.

I know the rose folks out in California have quite a time with the gophers......

Terri, I don't know about gopher stew, but I told the guys @ work I knew where they could do some good squirrel hunting! Also, I think rabbit stew is supposed to be good! They could take their pick in my yard! :)

I've seen robins pull up onions and then drop them. I think they are looking for nesting material - they probably think they are green sticks! LOL

Oh brother, I'm doomed. My backyard is a wildlife sanctuary!

Trust me. Proximity to your house offers no safety. The squirrels come right up on the deck. Last year a chipmunk went up to the hose for a drink while my husband was standing 2 feet away!

And in case you were wondering, yelling at squirrels has no effect either. It just makes you the crazy person in the neighborhood. :)

My little dog stays nice and slim chasing squirrels from the garden. I bet all those noises she makes in her sleep is her dreaming of chasing squrrels.

I have a screen porch and I kept sunflower seeds there to feed the birds. Those rotten squrrels tore a hole in the screen to get to the seeds.
Vickie

sadly, all of you talk about squirrels, rabbits and gophers (By the way we have recipes for them if needed), but what i face here is stray cats.

as far as yelling at squirrels, everyone knows in the neighborhood i'm nuts. the squirrels chatter back at me, next thing you know, i'm carrying a lengthy conversation with them.

wife thinks i'm nuts too. not too surprised, i hold conversations with our indoor cat (she thinks the cat and I are talking about her)

And she thinks YOU'RE nuts? LOL! You know, I have an indoor cat as well, and I used to own a pet-sitting service, so I know cats pretty well. I would think a cap gun (if they still make those-I'm giving away my age now!) would work wonders scaring away cats. Just a couple of times, I think, would do it. I'm scared to death of guns-even BB guns-but a cap gun I could handle (I think!). Just a thought!

the problem is i think they scout my place and send signals to the cats when they see my bedroom light go off for the night when i sleep. maybe they're cat ninjas.

LOL synsfun. A watergun is alot more fun than a cap gun.
I talk to my cats all the time. They mostly ignore me.One thinks I'm calling her beautiful names and will purr away while I talk.
Rabbit and squirrel stew is delicious.Anyone want a receipe?
I think you are right about the cats and squirrels talking about us.
Vickie

To scare the bejeepers out of a cat - beat a wooden spoon on a metal pan!

Ah, yessss! Hasenpfeffer! I really like it.