Should you build a fence around your garden? What are the guidelines for building a fence? I’ll answer these questions and more.
In a perfect world, there would be no need for fences. However, in a world filled with rabbits, woodchucks, gophers, and deer, a fence is required. Otherwise, you may find that the garden you worked so hard to cultivate becomes as an all-you-can-eat buffet for woodland creatures big and small.
To prevent this from happening, you will need to surround your garden beds with fencing. Fortunately, garden fences aren’t too difficult to do to build. You can pick up wire mesh at your local home improvement or garden store. Choose mesh that has openings that are less than one-inch wide.
Bury the fencing at least a foot into the ground, to prevent animals from being able to burrow underneath it. You’ll want your fence to be somewhere between two and three feet high to prevent most small animals from entering your garden. If deer is a problem in your area, the fence will need to be extended to between seven and eight feet high.
As for cost, expect to pay somewhere around $1 per square foot of the mesh. You can also purchase garden systems or higher a handyman to put up the fencing for you, but this will also raise the cost.
If your fence is high, then make sure to include a door in your fencing so you can easily enter your garden to tend to it. This door will need to be secured. Otherwise you may as well hang a welcome sign over it for the more clever animals who may push the door in to enter.
Make sure to periodically check your fence to make sure that it continues to be secure.
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