You should enjoy the fruits of your gardening labor, not Bambi
Disney’s adorable cartoon Bambi may come to mind when you think of deer. If that’s the case, you may not think that you need a deer fence for garden protection. But once you have two months’ worth of gardening under your belt, Bambi starts looking a little less cute. One effective way to keep deer away from your garden and landscaping is to install a deer-proof garden fence.
From poly mesh garden fence kits to long-term wooden structures, here are a few of the pros and cons of the most common types of deer fencing for gardens.
A metal grid material is one of the most popular types of deer fencing for gardens. Because the grid allows deer to see through it to your tasty-looking plants, it needs to be taller than a deer can jump.
Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends that you install a metal fence that’s a minimum of 6.5 feet tall. However, since most deer can jump at least 7 feet high, many professionals recommend a fence height of 7.5 to 10 feet for a truly deer-proof fence. A good rule of thumb to follow is that the more see-through your fencing is, the taller it should be.
Additionally, you should make sure the posts you purchase are 18 to 24 inches taller than the actual fence height. Doing so will leave space for you to bury the posts and ensure they act as strong anchor points to hold the fencing in place in case the deer decide to test your handiwork.
If your budget is right, this type of fencing could be an ideal solution.
Durable: The metal lasts a long time, especially if it’s coated with polyethylene.
Unobstructed views: You can see through it.
Straightforward to install: Someone with the right tools can turn a small deer fence installation into a weekend DIY job. It’s often sold as a kit and can be put up temporarily for veggie-growing season.
Metal mesh has one major drawback.
Costly: Metal mesh, especially the invisible kind, can be expensive. Less expensive types offer a look that’s not for everyone and may obscure garden views.
Polypropylene mesh, often simply called “poly mesh,” is a grid-like, plastic material that you can attach to wooden or metal posts, similar to metal mesh fencing. Many people use poly mesh as a deer fence for garden safety, thanks to its affordability and ease of installation.
Poly mesh for a deer-proof fence should have openings no larger than two inches, or the deer may get trapped or injured. Follow the same height guidelines as those for metal mesh.
Poly mesh will be the right choice for many handy homeowners for a bunch of reasons.
Less expensive: It’s more budget-friendly than metal.
DIY-friendly: It’s often sold as a kit including posts, making it reasonably easy to DIY.
Convenient: It’s easy to set up and take down after the growing season.
Looks good: You have unobstructed garden views.
The biggest drawback: A determined deer won’t be kept from his snacks.
Less strength: It’s generally less durable than its metal cousin, and the price rises with its durability. Unless you spring for a polypropylene mesh that has a large breaking load (800 pounds or more), a deer can potentially bash through it.
Wood fencing can be effective because it obscures a deer’s view, and deer typically don’t like jumping into an area they can’t see. However, you’ll want this type of fence to have as few gaps as possible to be effective.
Wood fences are a stalwart classic for a reason.
Can be short: Wood fencing only needs to be about 5 feet tall to be effective since deer can’t see through and will be more hesitant to hurdle the fence.
Customizable: Wood is a beautiful, classic fence style that compliments any outdoor space. You can make it your own with a unique design, paint, or stain, and whatever gate latch type you like.
Privacy: A privacy fence can conceal your outdoor space.
They look amazing, but wood fences might not be worth the cost and effort for some.
Price: It can get costly if you have a large area to fence off.
Poor view: It can obscure your scenery.
Hard to build: You’ll need slightly advanced handyperson skills to install a wooden fence, so it’s not an easy DIY. If you’re not confident that you’ll be able to do it alone, call a privacy fence installer near you to take care of it.
High-maintenance: Wood fencing requires more maintenance in the long term than metal fencing, as it’s susceptible to rot and pest damage.
In terms of deer fencing, vinyl has similar pros and cons to wood, although, per square foot, vinyl fencing costs are lower.
This type of fence is effective at keeping out hungry deer and prying eyes.
Unique: Can be customized to your style.
Short: Height only needs to be about 5 feet to deter deer.
Seclusion: Provides privacy.
Budget-friendly: Generally more affordable than wooden fencing.
Low-maintenance: Upkeep and maintenance are minimal compared to wood.
This isn’t the best option to DIY if you’ve never built a fence before.
Views: Like most fences, it can block your view.
Hard to build: Building a vinyl fence may be more involved than a simple weekend DIY. You may want to call in a local fence installer or plan to dedicate several weekends to the job.
When considering a way to keep deer away, chain link fencing might not be the first thing you think of, but it can be effective as long as it’s tall enough. Don’t eliminate chain link fencing as an option because it doesn’t have the appeal of other fencing types. There are many modern styles available nowadays, including non-metal options that have an upgraded look you just might love.
This is a top option if you only need to protect your veggies.
Price point: Chain link fencing costs are fairly affordable.
Good view: It offers mostly unobstructed views.
Flexible: It’s good for sectioning off a part of your yard, such as a vegetable garden.
There are some hard-to-dismiss downsides, too.
Appearance: Not everyone likes the look of chain link.
Height: To be effective, it must be 8 feet tall.
Hard to build: The posts are typically large and made of metal that can look obtrusive and make it more difficult for a DIY installation, so you’ll probably want to hire a professional to tackle this deer fence.
To visually trick deer into thinking the fence is taller than it is, avoid using a top rail.
Liquid fencing isn’t technically a fence, but in many cases, it can work just as well. You can apply deer repellent to garden borders and even directly on your plants as a deterrent, much like soap can repel bugs and critters in your garden. It contains substances that taste or smell bad to deer but aren’t harmful to your precious plants.
You don’t need walls for an effective barrier, and here’s why.
Simple: It’s very easy to apply.
Convenient: The solution is readily available.
Safe: It’s harmless to plants, pets, and animals when used per manufacturers’ instructions.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a permanent or fool-proof solution.
Short-term: It doesn’t offer a long-term solution for keeping deer out of a garden. Reapplication is necessary, especially after periods of heavy rain.
Can be ineffective: If a deer is hungry enough, it’ll ignore the repellent and make a meal of your garden anyway.
Note that this is not an ideal or reliable method for deterring deer, and we don’t recommend it. Electric deer fencing consists of low wires that emit a mild electrical shock. The idea is to deter deer by giving them a mild shock that, well, shocks them but doesn’t injure them.
The most effective way to use electric deer fencing is to place it around plants you wish to keep deer away from or near common deer paths rather than trying to keep them out of your entire yard.
Visually, this might be your preferred option.
Relatively unobtrusive: It can be nearly invisible in your landscaping and keep your views uninterrupted.
Electric fencing isn’t for everyone, and it must be installed correctly to avoid harm to yourself, your property, and any animals in the area.
Not foolproof: It relies on deer responding to the shock. Some deer will ignore a pain response or adapt to it, rendering it ineffective.
Electricity: This option requires a power source, which may be a challenge.
Not DIYable: Typically, a licensed pro must install this fence type.
Warning: Poor grounding, faulty wiring, and incorrect measurements can all quickly lead to project failure and potentially cause harm to yourself and others, including deer, due to electric shock.
Deer fencing for a garden or yard isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Some options might work better than others. It’s important to think about your unique needs before making your final decision. Are you limited by budget or fence height? Are deer your only pests? Here are some things to consider.
Zoning regulations can limit fence height, which can reduce the effectiveness of certain types of deer fences. Check with your contractor so you can choose the option that works best with any local height restrictions.
If you’re installing a deer fence for your garden or yard on a budget, choose wallet-friendly options, like polypropylene mesh or metal chain link. Also, don’t DIY if you’re not 100% confident. You could end up spending more money in the long run if something goes wrong than you would have by hiring a pro in the first place.
Looking for high durability? Go for a metal fence coated with polyethylene, a vinyl privacy fence, or a fence made from composite wood. Always look for the highest durability materials within your budget and avoid those that don’t have the strength to keep out deer, like chicken wire.
Sometimes it feels like the whole forest is treating your garden as an all-you-can-eat buffet. If you’re dealing with more than just deer, you might want to consider additional pest prevention.
Fences with very small openings or no openings can prevent mice and rodents. Adding wire mesh in a trench at the base of your fence can also prevent burrowing pests from reaching your garden.
Setting up fencing is one of those tasks where a homeowner can save quite a bit by tackling it as a DIY, but only if they’re comfortable with working with the materials. Some deer fencing options, such as metal mesh or poly mesh, are sold as DIY kits at the local hardware store and include straightforward instructions for installation on your own.
Other fencing options, such as electric, vinyl, or chain link fencing, are more advanced, and a homeowner may be better off hiring a local fence installation company.
The installation cost for deer fencing depends on what type of fencing the homeowner chooses. Many factors influence the fence's cost, including material, number of linear feet, number of gates and posts needed, and labor costs. For example, wood fencing costs an average of $17 to $50 per linear foot, while aluminum fencing can cost $17 to $90 per linear foot.
Sophie Yalkezian, Amber Guetebier, and Mariel Loveland contributed to this piece.
The truth is, there really is no such thing as a 100% deer-proof plant. Deer will decimate even the prickliest flora if they’re hungry enough. However, there are plenty of beautiful plants that deer don’t necessarily enjoy. These include thistles, wisteria vines, sword ferns, and beautyberries.
Deer are herbivores, and they love vegetable gardens as much as Peter Rabbit. If you don’t want to fence in your entire property, consider creating an attractive raised-bed veggie garden with mesh fencing around it to keep out deer and other critters.
Fencing is one of the most effective ways to keep deer out of your garden, but there are other ways to keep deer away. You could put together a homemade deer repellent mixture using household items that deers hate. Mix hot sauce, garlic powder, liquid dish soap, and water in a spray bottle and spray it onto your plants. It won’t harm your garden or any animals but it will deter deer from chowing down. You can also plant your garden strategically by creating a perimeter of plants that deers don’t like to eat, herbs like oregano, mint, sage, and thyme.
Deer rely on scent to tell them what’s safe and unsafe, so effective deer repellents have to be pungent. Make your own natural repellent by combining a beaten egg, one tablespoon of cooking oil, one tablespoon of dish soap, and a half cup of milk. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray around your garden, avoiding anything you will want to eat later. This stinky repellent will ward off any deer that want to make your produce their next meal. But keep in mind that if your windows are nearby, the scent may waft over.
