DIY Raised Bed Garden Enclosure

5 Materials
$300
1 Day
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Our family's backyard plays host to eight or more deer on any given night. After watching our landscaping act as an all-you-care-to-eat buffet for years, I knew we would need a sturdy, deer proof enclosure for our recent vegetable garden expansion. Fencing the entire yard was not an option, and the materials for this project cost less than most of the deer fencing available online. Check out the photos, my comments in the discussion below, and the blog link for more information!

We used untreated pine for our enclosure, but you can go all out with cedar, or go green and use recycled or repurposed wood. Note: Avoid pressure-treated lumber if you are nervous about the chemicals coming in contact with the soil.
Here's our door during construction. This hinged door latches closed with a gate latch. We decided to use twine tied to the latch and looped into the enclosure so we wouldn't get stuck inside if the wind blew the door shut! :-)
We built this enclosure with lots of room to maneuver inside. We plan to maximize planting space by adding potted veggies and maybe some grow bags as well.
Here's the enclosure with our spring crop of lettuce and peas. We tied twine to the structure to create a lattice for the peas.
Here's the enclosure with our spring crop of lettuce and peas. We tied twine to the structure to create a lattice for the peas.

A photo from last summer.

Suggested materials:
  • Untreated pine
  • 3" Deck Screws
  • Plastic Mesh
See all materials
Becky - Clover and Thyme
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  3 questions
  • Ron Ron on Apr 30, 2016
    How high are the side - thanks!
  • Kelly Kelly on Apr 17, 2017

    Hi! Do you happen to have detailed instructions on how to build this?

  • Tim Morrison Tim Morrison on Apr 18, 2017

    directions in how to build it ?

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  • Elizabeth Sagarminaga Elizabeth Sagarminaga on Aug 12, 2015
    I admiring the dedication you put into your site and in depth information you provide. You have performed a fantastic job. I’ll definitely dig it and for my part suggest to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefiting from this site. I liked your deer fencing while I was touring andI can see how it protect your yard from wild animals. I would love to buildone. Thanks for nice job.
  • LadyOtheLake LadyOtheLake on Jul 23, 2019

    Ideal for me! We have deer, moose, raccoons, birds, and voles (maybe mesh placed underneath will help). Fighting w critters takes the joy out of gardening. Thanks! You’ve made it possible to try yet again!

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