Do you’ve a beautiful garden that you've worked hard to nurture, only to have it destroyed by pesky deer? Protecting your garden from these hungry intruders is essential if you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor. The first step is to determine the spacing between your posts, which will depend on the type of fencing material you choose. For lightweight deer netting, you can space your posts about 20 feet apart, while heavier materials like metal fences require supports placed approximately 15 feet apart. Once you’ve determined the appropriate spacing, it's time to install your supports and unroll your fencing. Attach the fencing using your preferred method, ensuring a secure and impenetrable barrier to keep those deer at bay.
Will a Fence Keep Deer Out?
When considering how to build a deer fence around a garden, it’s important to understand whether or not a fence will actually keep deer out. While short fences measuring around 4 feet may be effective at reducing damage in small areas or around individual trees or shrubs, a truly “deer proof” fence will need to be at least 8 feet tall to be effective long-term. Additionally, the material used to construct the fence should be strong and impenetrable, such as welded wire or chain link.
In addition to height, the material used for the fence is also crucial. Deer can easily push through or squeeze between flimsy or weak materials, so it’s vital to use a strong and impenetrable material like welded wire or chain link. These materials are much harder for deer to manipulate or damage, ensuring that your fence remains effective in keeping them out. It’s also important to secure the bottom of the fence to prevent deer from sneaking under it.
Different Types of Materials That Can Be Used to Construct a Deer Fence and Their Pros and Cons.
When building a deer fence around a garden, there are various materials that can be used, each with it’s own advantages and disadvantages. One common option is chain-link fencing, which is durable and provides good visibility, but it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing choice. Another option is woven wire fencing, which offers excellent strength and durability, but it can be expensive and time-consuming to install. Electric fencing is another popular choice, as it’s often effective in deterring deer, but it requires regular maintenance and may not be suitable for all garden settings. Lastly, there are mesh deer fences, which are lightweight, easy to install, and can blend well with the surroundings, but they may not be as durable as other options. Consider your specific needs, budget, and desired aesthetic when choosing the materials for your deer fence.
In addition to physical barriers, there are several other methods you can employ to deter deer from feasting on your vegetable plants. By utilizing a combination of these techniques, you can create a garden environment that’s less attractive to these curious creatures.
How Do I Keep Deer Away From My Vegetable Plants?
Physical barriers are perhaps the most effective method you can use to keep deer at bay and protect your precious vegetable plants. Installing fences around your garden is a practical solution. Opt for tall fences to deter these nimble creatures from leaping over with ease. Plastic netting, chicken wire, or even wooden picket fences are popular choices. Ensure that the fence is at least 8 feet in height. Remember, deer are skilled jumpers, so the taller the barrier, the better.
If you find it challenging to construct a full-fledged fence, plastic netting can be an alternative. Stretch it around your garden area, making sure it’s high enough to hinder the deers access. Netting can be easily attached to stakes or posts, creating a temporary but effective barrier. Chicken wire is also an affordable option that can be wrapped around specific garden beds or used to create a larger enclosure.
For smaller plants, consider employing covers such as floating row covers or individual cloches. This approach provides a physical barrier between hungry deer and your delicate crops. Floating row covers, made of lightweight fabric, can be draped over plants and secured at the base. These covers allow sunlight and watering to reach your plants while deterring deer.
When it comes to shorter crops like lettuce, squash, or bush beans, covers work especially well. A simple cover can be made from chicken wire or plastic netting shaped into a dome over the plants. This prevents deer from nibbling on the leaves while still allowing air and moisture to circulate.
While physical barriers are effective, it’s important to note that no method is foolproof. Deer are determined creatures and may find ways to breach your defenses. Therefore, it’s advisable to combine barriers with other preventative measures such as using deer-repellent sprays or plants with strong odors that deter deer. Regularly monitoring your garden for signs of deer activity and promptly addressing any breaches in your barriers will also help ensure the success of your deer deterrent measures.
Source: How to Keep Deer Out of a Garden | Bonnie Plants
One of the biggest challenges for gardeners is keeping critters out of their gardens. While wooden privacy fences can successfully deter deer, additional measures are required to keep rabbits out. Raccoons, on the other hand, can easily climb over wooden fences, making them less efficient for this purpose. However, installing metal mesh buried beneath the wooden fence can prevent rabbit intrusions, albeit at a higher cost. Alternatively, poly deer fences offer a more affordable option, but electric fences remain the most effective solution against various garden pests.
What Is the Best Fence to Keep Critters Out of Garden?
When it comes to keeping critters out of your garden, there are various types of fences that can be effective. One option is a wooden privacy fence, which can help keep deer out of your garden. Deer are known for their ability to jump over many types of fences, but a tall and sturdy wooden fence can deter them from entering your garden and munching on your plants.
To ensure maximum protection, you can also consider burying a metal mesh underneath the wood fence. This will help prevent rabbits from burrowing their way into your garden. By creating a physical barrier underground, you can effectively block their access and protect your plants from their nibbling tendencies.
However, while wooden privacy fences are quite effective in keeping out deer and rabbits, they may not be sufficient to deter raccoons. Raccoons are agile climbers and can easily scale over a wooden fence. If raccoons are a frequent visitor to your garden, you may need to consider alternative options.
While wooden fences can provide a great aesthetic appeal and sturdy structure, they can also be quite expensive. If budget is a concern, a less expensive option to consider is a poly deer fence.
However, poly deer fences may not provide the same level of effectiveness as electric fences. Electric fences are designed to give animals a harmless but memorable shock if they attempt to breach the boundary. This makes them highly effective in deterring not only deer, rabbits, and raccoons but also other critters like squirrels and groundhogs.
When it comes to building a deer fence around your garden, the options to consider include wooden privacy fences, adding metal mesh for rabbit deterrence, and poly deer fences.
When it comes to deer-proofing your property, natural fencing options can provide an effective and aesthetically pleasing solution. Sagebrush and Russian olive are both examples of plants that deer typically avoid, making them ideal choices for living deer barriers. Another popular option is the Osage orange tree, renowned for it’s ability to deter both deer and livestock. Known by various names like horse apple, hedge apple, or bois D’arc, this tree has been used for centuries as a reliable natural fence against unwanted wildlife.
What Is a Natural Fence for Deer?
When it comes to protecting your garden from deer, a natural fence can be an effective solution. One option is to utilize plants that deer typically avoid as living barriers. Sagebrush and Russian olive are two examples of such plants, as they aren’t usually eaten by deer. By strategically planting these species around your garden, you can create a deterrent that diverts deer away from your precious plants.
Another plant that can be used to build a natural deer fence is the Osage orange. Also known as horse apple, hedge apple, or bois Darc, this tree has been used for centuries as a barrier against both deer and livestock. It’s thorny branches and dense foliage make it difficult for deer to penetrate, providing an effective deterrent.
To build a deer fence using Osage orange, it’s recommended to plant the trees in a double-row configuration. This maximizes the density of the barrier and ensures that it remains effective in keeping deer out. The trees should be planted close together, approximately 4-6 feet apart, to create a solid wall of foliage. To further enhance the effectiveness of the fence, it’s recommended to prune the branches regularly to maintain density and height.
Conclusion
By strategically placing the supports and unrolling the fencing, you can easily construct an effective barrier. Whether you choose zip ties, staples, or any other attachment method, ensure it’s secure to withstand the persistent efforts of deer.