Protect Your Trees and Gardens From Animals with Fencing and a New Strategy

When living in the country, or in a place that has woods nearby, some home owners are haunted by the daily raids on their gardens and plants. Deer, cows, rabbits, cats, dogs – the never-ending stream of animals can wreak havoc on a person’s hard work and food supply. For some farmers, this is devastating, since they live off their crops.

Fencing is used as a technique to keep out animals but the fencing only works for some animals. A fence, for example, may keep a dog from using your apple tree for a bathroom but it usually won’t keep deer from leaping in and helping themselves.

A different approach to fencing can help you protect your gardens and fruits. Instead of standing the fencing up, lay it down. Most animals don’t like the feel of the fencing under their feet and will back away as soon as they step on it. You’ll no longer have trouble from escaped cows, wild deer, even rabbits.

Twelve or fourteen gauge fencing will work perfectly to protect your goods. These sizes hold up well and can be easily cut with wire cutters. Choose fencing that has harrow holes rather than wide openings within the fencing. If the holes are too large some animals will just step over the wiring and navigate through the holes.

Surround each tree with the fencing by cutting it to lengths and wiring them together. The fencing should come out far enough from each tree to prevent animals from reaching the limbs while standing outside of the fencing. Cut two pieces of fence and lay one piece on each side of the tree. Use wire to hook the two pieces together. Overlap fencing, when necessary. Sometimes when placing a piece of fence on each side, you’ll be left with a little pathway, between the fence pieces, that will still allow access for some animals.

Surround a garden area with about 5′ of fencing, all the way around. Cut four pieces of fencing – one for each side. Lay the fencing down on each side, then wire the corners together. This can be done for flower gardens or vegetable gardens.

The fencing can be walked on by the owner, so long as shoes are worn. You may need to remove the fencing, though, for future planting or harvesting. Store the fence pieces until needed again, then you can easily wire them back together.

Laying fencing on the ground is only practical if the area you’re wanting to protect is not huge. You’ll appreciate it, though, when you go to gather your goods and they’re still there!