How to Build a Garden Fence: A Step-by-Step Guide
I’ve always loved gardening. There’s just something magical about planting seeds and watching them turn into delicious, edible treats using nothing but sunlight, soil, and water. Gardening was a big part of my childhood—my parents had a huge garden filled with tomatoes, strawberries, peas, potatoes, and even sweet corn some years.
It’s no surprise that having my own garden has always been a dream of mine. There’s something so therapeutic about tending to plants, watching them grow, and knowing you’re putting fresh food on your table. Plus, it’s a great way to save a bit of money. I love growing lots of peppers and tomatoes to freeze or turn into sauce, which I can enjoy all year long. And of course, I wanted to share this magic with my own kids someday.
I’m lucky to live in an area with rich black soil—courtesy of the ancient prairies and glaciers that shaped this land thousands of years ago. So, when we moved to our acreage, building a garden was one of the very first projects we tackled that spring.
From experience, I knew that rabbits were going to be my biggest challenge. There’s nothing worse than coming out in the morning to find your precious pepper plants chewed down to nubs!
Have you ever wandered out to your garden only to discover that rabbits or deer have turned it into their personal salad bar? You’re definitely not alone! These adorable critters can do serious damage to your veggies and flowers. But the good news is, building a simple garden fence is totally doable—and it’s the best way to keep your garden safe from unwanted visitors. In this guide, I’ll show you how to build a fence that’ll keep out rabbits, deer, and even a few snakes if that’s something you’re worried about. Let’s dive in!
Why You Need a Garden Fence
Rabbits and deer might be adorable, but they’re also garden destroyers. Rabbits especially love tender greens, while deer will munch on just about anything—tomatoes, roses, you name it. A sturdy fence keeps them out so you can actually enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of your labor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Fence
Materials You’ll Need
Here’s a quick list of everything you’ll want to have on hand:
- Work gloves – for safety and comfort
- Metal fencing (hardware cloth or welded wire) – 3 feet tall to keep out rabbits
- Pressure treated 4x4s – for fence posts, spaced every 6-8 feet
- Pressure treated 2x4s – for the top railing and baseboards
- Exterior wood screws – to secure the 2x4s to the posts
- U-staples or fencing staples – to attach the fencing
- Wire cutters – to trim the fencing
- Post hole digger or shovel – to dig holes for your posts
- Level and measuring tape – to keep everything straight and neat
1. Plan Your Layout
Start by mapping out your garden area and measuring the perimeter so you know how much fencing you’ll need. Think about what you’re planning to grow! For example, I wanted space for about 10 tomato plants, a dozen peppers, a row of peas, some zucchini, and a little extra for surprises. That helped me figure out how big to make the garden and, in turn, the fence.
We needed to do some prep work to the spot we wanted our garden, which included pulling out some shrubs and tilling a plot.
2. Dig a Perimeter Trench (Optional)
I’ll be real with you—another reason I wanted this fence was to keep snakes out. I recognize that snakes serve an important role in their ecosystem and have mostly learned to coexist with them on our property. That being said, they still creep me out, and I wanted my garden to be my happy place! So, we dug a shallow trench about 2-3 inches deep around the garden. This way, the baseboards of the fence could be buried a bit, hopefully stopping anything from slithering in. Would I consider it snake-proof? Probably not, but it does add some peace of mind. Bonus: this buried baseboard also makes mowing and trimming easier!
3. Dig Post Holes
Using a post hole digger or shovel, dig holes about 2 feet deep for your fence posts. Space the holes every 6-8 feet to give your fence the stability it needs.
4. Set the Posts
Cut your 4×4 posts to about 5 feet long and pop them into the holes. Fill in the holes with dirt (or use concrete for extra strength) and make sure each post is nice and straight with a level. If you use concrete, give it overnight to set.
6. Install the Rabbit-Proof Fencing
Starting at one corner, unroll your metal fencing and attach it to the posts using U-staples or fencing staples. Pull it tight as you go.
5. Add the Railing and Baseboards
This step is optional, but I highly recommend it. The top railing adds stability, and the baseboard helps keep critters from sneaking under. Cut your 2x4s to the right length and screw them in place at the top and bottom of the posts. For the baseboard, fill in the trench with dirt until the bottom half is covered.
Then you can attach the fence to the railing and baseboards. Make sure the bottom of the fence is tight against the baseboard so rabbits can’t sneak through. We wanted ours super tight, so we stapled it every few inches along the railing and posts.
7. Secure and Trim
Once the fencing is up, grab your wire cutters and trim any excess. Double-check for any gaps or loose edges where an animal could squeeze through.
8. Test for Gaps and Strength
Walk the fence line and push on it a bit to make sure it’s strong and secure. Look closely for any little gaps where a rabbit (or snake!) might find its way in.
We ended up adding a couple more posts on the ends to make it a little more stable.
Some Things to Consider:
- A 3-foot fence won’t keep out a really determined deer, but it does help. If deer are a major problem in your area, consider placing your garden close to your house or using deer deterrent sprays. I’ve personally had good luck with my 3-foot fence—deer usually skip the garden and go for my unfenced raspberry bushes instead.
- Consider how you plan to till your garden every year. You’ll want to be able to have access to your garden with whatever you use to till. We have a tiller that is small enough to be lifted over the fence.
- For our purposes (and because I wanted no gaps a snake could sneak through), we didn’t want or need a gate to access the garden. The fence is low enough that I can easily step over it. However, if you are short or mobility is an issue, a gate is something you’ll want to consider.
Pro Tips for Success:
✅ Use weather-resistant materials so your fence can stand up to the elements.
✅ If your yard isn’t level, stepped fencing can help follow the slope.
Final Thoughts:
Building a garden fence might feel like a big job, but once you get started, it’s really pretty straightforward. And trust me, the payoff is huge—no more rabbits nibbling your lettuce, no more deer sampling your sunflowers, and a lot more peace of mind. 🥕🦌
Got any questions about building a garden fence? Drop them in the comments below—I’d love to help out!
