The best fence for a vegetable garden is chicken wire or poultry netting, which can be supplemented with other materials such as chain link, welded or woven wire, electric, or hex netting.
Vegetable gardens can become a haven for animals such as deer and rabbits, but with proper fencing you can keep them away from your crops.
A fence should be high enough to deter jumping animals and strong enough to withstand chewing from sharp teeth. Furthermore, it should be capable of discouraging digging.
How to Build a Vegetable Garden Fence
Use Wooden Planks
Wooden planks are an excellent way to add height and security to a garden fence while offering strength and stability. They complement different landscaping ideas, coming in various shapes and sizes.
They’re accessible at local hardware stores or even for free if you take the time to research. Be sure to inspect the wood’s origin and age to avoid using treated or reclaimed wood that contains toxins which could harm or inhibit plants growing near it.
Create a Rock Wall
Constructing a rock wall for your vegetable garden fence is an attractive and practical way to add visual interest. Not only are these walls beautiful, but they can also aid with drainage and are long-lasting.
When building a wall, there are plenty of different rocks to choose from: large and small; flat, round, and irregularly shaped stones.
Use White Lattice
White lattice fencing is a great choice for vegetable garden fencing due to its affordability, ease of installation and aesthetic appeal. Not only does it keep out small animals and pests, but it also provides privacy while still allowing light into the plants inside.
A versatile fence like this one can serve a number of purposes, from delineating garden rooms to providing accents, creating shade, camouflaging utility areas and offering privacy.
Use Bushes
If you have plenty of backyard space, bushes make for an attractive vegetable garden fence idea. Wintergreen boxwood bushes are easy to trim and provide a stunning way to secure your plot of ground.
Vegetables that grow vertically, such as pole beans, cucumbers and squash can be trellised along this type of fence to save space and reduce pests. It’s an efficient way to maximize yield while decreasing space requirements.
Use Old Doors
Old doors for vegetable garden fences are an excellent way to give your backyard a rustic charm. Try searching rummage sales or junk yards for used doors that no longer function.
A well-constructed fence will enhance your garden and keep animals out. Deer especially enjoy eating vegetables, so you’ll want to find a tall enough fence that won’t give them an easy path over.
Use Wooden Planters
Vegetable garden fences are an efficient way to grow vertical vegetables such as cucumbers, pole beans, peas, squash and tomatoes while also eliminating pests from your plot.
Fencing that is already on your property can be used as a support for this type of raised bed gardening. If it is made of old wood, consider lining it with heavy plastic to prevent leaching of toxic chemicals.
Use Pallets
If you have a large garden area, pallets can be used to construct a fence around it. This is an efficient way to keep critters out and separate your plants from one another.
Pallets are often employed in the shipping industry, making them available at no cost. But before using them for your project, be sure to inspect them thoroughly for damage or chemical contamination that makes them unsuitable for gardening use.
Use Wire
If you’re searching for an economical and straightforward vegetable garden fence, wire may be your ideal material. This material is strong and comes in various sizes, weaves and finishes to suit any taste or budget.
You can use wire as a border for your garden, or to protect your vegetables from rabbits, deer and other animals that might pass through. Wire may even be employed in creating a trellis system for climbing vegetables such as cucumbers, beans and grapes.
Use Plastic Mesh
If you need a fence that will keep deer, rabbits and other small animals out of your garden, plastic mesh is an ideal option. Not only is this type of fencing user-friendly and low maintenance, but it’s also easy to set up with minimal effort required.
Chicken wire is also an effective way to keep rabbits and other pests away from young trees. While chicken wire will work for this purpose, it’s best to remove it as the tree matures.
Garden Fences: What’s Best?
The best fence for a vegetable garden depends on the type of animal you are trying to deter.
For example, if you are trying to keep out chickens, deer, raccoons, badgers, or rodents in rural areas, chicken wire or poultry netting is an excellent material for making a simple garden fence.
In urban areas, rabbits, cats, and dogs may be the problem animals that need to be kept out of the garden. In this case, plastic garden mesh fencing or bird netting/barrier can be used.
A combination of materials is often the best choice when making a fenced vegetable garden as it can meet multiple pest repellant criteria.
For instance, a combination of metal electrical conduit and bird netting can be used to create a 7-foot fence that won’t last more than a few years but is cheap and relatively easy to install.
Alternatively, metal fence panels can be used to create a tall and decorative enclosure without having to dig post holes and pour concrete.
How High Should a Vegetable Garden Fence Be?
A garden fence should be 2 to 3 feet tall to keep out most animals, but if larger animals such as deer are a threat, the fence should be 5 or more feet high. Garden fence posts should also be positioned no more than 6 feet apart for proper holding power.
The height of a vegetable garden fence should depend on the type of animals that are posing a threat to the garden. For most animals, a 2 to 3 foot (0.6 to 0.9 m) fence should be adequate.
However, if larger animals such as deer are trespassing onto the garden, a fence 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 m) tall is recommended. It is also important to consider the material and depth of the fence in order to make it effective. Additionally, local zoning restrictions may limit the height of the fence.
