Robert Frost’s poem advises us that “fences make good neighbors”. This is especially important when your neighbors are of the furry foe to include deer and rabbits. These insurgents will infiltrate your garden and wreak havoc. Although they are super cute, these troublemakers must be kept out.
When designing your enclosure it is important to consider what types of animals may be attracted to your bounty. There are numerous fencing options online to fit your anti-critter needs. For example, to protect against deer, a fence with a 1.77 by 1.96 inch mesh will give you the most protection. However, it’s the height of the fence that really matters since deer can jump up to eight feet! A fence height of six to eight feet will protect against these air assaults.
Another common garden pest, rabbits, can be deterred by adding chicken wire to the bottom two feet of the fence. Chicken wire with 1/2- to 1-inch mesh is ideal however, any material that with a small grid will suffice. Because rabbits are known to tunnel underneath the fence, the chicken wire should extend at least six inches below the ground or be secured to the ground to keep the bottom edge tight. Instructions to create your own garden fortress and a few fence construction pictures are below.
Materials Needed:
- 6″ X 6″ treated wood posts
- Fencing
- Wire cutters
- Concrete
- Fence nails
- Post hole digger
- Fence stretcher
- Tape measure
- Garden gate
Assembly
- Determine the linear footage by measuring the length of the perimeter.
- Dig three foot holes for posts at corners and spaced eight feet apart on edges.
- Plumb and set posts in concrete.
- Nail horizontal support posts between vertical posts.
- Nail the fencing to from top to bottom of the the first post.
- Run the fencing along the length of the perimeter to opposite end.
- Use a fence stretcher to pull the fencing tight while nailing the fence from top to bottom of each post.
- Repeat steps 6 and 7 for each side of the enclosure.
- Install gate.
