Spring is almost here, and that means that many of us are itching to get back into the garden. Whether you’re planting flowers, herbs, or veggies and fruits, there’s something therapeutic about tending to the plants and watching them flourish — and there’s nothing more frustrating than watching the fruits of your labor get eaten by critters.
This year, you can stop deer, rabbits, and other animals from feasting on your garden. How? By putting a fence around your raised garden bed. This project is a simple and effective way to protect your plants and give them time and space to grow.
Why Does Your Raised Garden Bed Need a Fence?
One word: animals. Even those of us with urban gardens know that critters like squirrels, raccoons, and rabbits love to turn a garden into their own personal buffet. And if you live in a more rural area, you can expect larger animals like deer to nibble on your plants, too. Fencing keeps everyone out, leaving your garden safe and sound.
Building Your Fence
A garden fence can be a simple DIY project, but you’ll need to have the right tools to get the job done. Before you start any fencing project, make sure you have access to the tools listed below.
Required Tools & Materials
- Corner posts (size is up to you, though most people use 1×4 or 1×6)
- L brackets for corners
- Circular saw to trim boards
- Exterior screws and drill
- Wire garden fencing
- Wire cutters
- Heavy-duty staples and staple gun
- Level
- Tape measure
- Hinges for gate
- Latches for gate
Necessary Steps
- Start by measuring your raised garden bed. You’ll want to figure out the length of each side and the ideal height for your fence. In most cases, a 2- to 3-foot fence is sufficient for keeping animals out of your raised garden bed; however, if you live in an area with deer you might want to make the fence up to 5 feet high.
- Once you determine the height for your fence, it’s time to trim your cedar boards. Use your circular saw (remember: measure twice, cut once) to make your posts the right size to support your fence. We suggest making your fence posts about two inches taller than the fencing, as that allows you extra space to secure posts to the garden bed.
- Next, secure your fence posts to the garden bed itself. Line up your posts with the bottom of your raised bed and use your L brackets, drill, and screws to secure it. You’ll want to place a post on each corner of the bed, as well as an additional post on any long panels (over four feet).
- Once your fence posts are in place, measure out the perimeter of your garden bed. This will tell you how much wire fencing you’ll need around the bed. Unroll your wire garden fence and use wire cutters to trim the fence to the right size.
- Stretch this fencing along each side of the bed. You’ll want to use your level to make sure that your fence stays straight throughout this process. Then, use your staple gun to secure the fence in place along each post.
- If your fence is short enough that you can still reach your plants, congratulations — you’re done. However, if your fence is on the taller side (or if you want easier access to your plants), you will want to install a gate.
- To make your gate, cut a space in your fencing that’s wide enough for you (ideally, next to a fence post. Stretch a piece of fencing across two additional boards to make your gate, and then secure this gate to the post near the space you’ve made. Secure this gate with hinges on one side and with a closure on the other.
Once you’ve completed these steps, take a step back and pat yourself on the back. You now have a sturdy and effective garden fence that will keep your plants safe and sound all season long.
Of course, your fence may require maintenance throughout the year — especially if you have particularly daring animals in your area. But if you take care of it and use the right equipment, your garden fence should keep critters away from your flowers, herbs, and veggies.
At Red Brand, we’re proud to offer customers like you the best equipment for all your fencing projects. Whether you’re making a garden fence for your yard or a livestock fence for a herd of cattle, we can help you find the right materials and gear for your next project. Use our dealer and installer locator to get your next fence project started!