Anyone who has a garden knows how frustrating it is to work day in and day out only to find that deer have eaten your tomatoes, nibbled on the squash and peas or ripped the bark off the trees.
Certainly, we’ve tried all sorts of methods to deter the deer, from human hair to Irish Spring soap, but to no avail.
After much research we decided that the best method would be to install a deer fence to enclose the garden.
When you garden in deer country, growing vegetables can be a real challenge.
To keep out high-jumping deer, many gardeners surround their crops with tall fences that have the look of a maximum-security prison.
However we wanted to keep our beautiful views as well as look good from the street.
Not only did it turn out beautiful, but we have succeeded in keeping the deer out of our vegetable garden!
Keep on scrolling for all the details for constructing your own deer fence.
In this post . . .
- How Tall Should a Deer Fence Be?
- What You’ll Need to Build a Deer Fence
- Determine Measurements
- Install Posts
- Install Footer and Top Rail
- Install the Hog Panels
- The Trellis
- Shop This Project
- Completed Deer Fence
How Tall Should a Deer Fence Be?
After trying many methods that claim to keep the deer out of our vegetable garden, last year we installed a fence around the perimeter of our garden.
It was a temporary fence, which was only 5 feet tall.
Clearly, it did not work!
They were still having a feast nightly in my garden.
Apparently deer can easily jump a 5 to 6 foot fence. To really keep the deer out, we would need an 8 foot fence.
With this in mind, I began to come up with our design.
Not only must it keep the deer out, but also it had to look good!
Once element I wanted to include on my fence was a trellis, as well as structure for supporting my grape vine.
This fence would also been seen from our front yard, so it needed curb appeal too.
Are you enjoying this idea?! Please pin it, save it for later and share it with a friend.
Sharing is caring!
What You’ll Need to Build a Deer Fence
To build your own deer fence you need some basic tool like a saw, drill, angle grinder and level.
We build our deer fence with pressure treated lumber and galvanized hog wire panels for durability, but you could also use cedar or redwood.
- 4x4x10 pressure treated posts
- concrete
- 2×4 pressure treated lumber
- galvanized hog wire
- 2×6 pressure treated lumber
- 2×2 boards
- deck screws
- drill
- saw
- angle grinder
- level
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links or referral links for your convenience. It is a way for this site to earn advertising commissions by advertising or linking to specific products and/or services. Click here to read myfull disclosure policy.
Determine Measurements
The first step is to plan how many linear feet of deer fencing you will need.
Plan post layout and determine how many posts you will need.
A distance laser meter would be perfect for measuring and determining placement of the post.
As you plan, consider gates as well.
We determined we would like 2 gates for our deer fence, one to enter from the backyard and one from the front yard.
Each section of fence will require 6 – 2×4 boards one for the footer, one for the top rail and the other 4 will be ripped down to enclose the 4 sides of the hog panels.
Most of these materials we picked up at our local Home Depot.
However, we purchased the hog wire panel was purchased from Tractor Supply Co.
It was considerable cheaper than the big box home improvement stores.
Install Posts
Using a post hole digger, we dug 2 feet deep holes for each post.
Then secure each post in place with concrete.
It took about 2/3’s of a 60lb. bag per post hole.
Pro tip: To keep the posts in a straight line, run a string from end to end for each side of the deer fence.
Align each post with the string.
Once all of the posts are installed and the concrete has cured, install the footer and top rail boards.
Measure the distance between each post and cut the 2×4 boards to length.
We installed our footer boards level and about 9″ from the ground.
The top rail board was installed 60″ above the footer board.
This is the height of the hog panel we used.
We installed our rails using our Kreg jig to create pocket holes for each screw.
The Kreg pocket hole jig has become one of our favorite tools.
I asked for the jig for Christmas and for our first project we made a farmhouse style bench.
If you don’t have access to a jig, you could also toenail them in or use brackets.
Install the Hog Panels
To enclose each hog panel section, we ripped 2×4 boards into 2 – 1 1/2″x 1 1/2″ pieces.
Secure one of the ripped 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ boards to the footer rail and one to the top rail board, aligned with the outer edge of the 2×4.
Cut 2 more 1 1/2″x1 1/2″ boards to fit between the footer and top rail for each side post, aligning with outer edge.
Secure with deck screws.
Cut hog wire panel to fit the opening.
We cut our panels with an angle grinder.
Place hog wire panel into position against the 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ boards.
Once the hog wire panel is in position, place the remaining 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ boards against the hog wire panel, sandwiching the wire panel between the 2 boards.
Secure in place to the header and footer 2×4 boards with deck screws.
We used pressure treated lumber for this deer fence, hoping that it will last for years to come.
Of course redwood or cedar can also be used.
We did not stain our wood, but if using other lumber you may want to stain the wood before installation of the hog wire panels.
Let’s stay connected! Follow us on social media!
The Trellis
To complete our 8 foot height requirement for our deer fence we decided to install a trellis.
Not only would this create that 8 foot barrier for the deer, but it also adds beauty to the fence.
In addition, I have been wanting a place to grow wisteria and this will provide the perfect trellis for it.
To create the trellis we install 2×6 boards on each side of the 4×4 posts.
Also, I wanted a decorative cut at the end of the 2×6 boards.
So, we used a plate to create an arc and traced that onto the lumber.
Then cut out the arc with a jigsaw.
We then used this board as a template for the remaining boards. They were then secured to the 4×4 posts with deck screws.
For the top of the trellis we cut 2×2 boards to 24″.
We then determined their placement on top of the 2- 2×6 boards.
To prevent the wood from splitting, we pre-drilled holes in each 2×2 board where it would attach to the 2×6 boards.
Each board was drilled with 2 holes.
By pre-drilling the holes, it make it quick and easy to install the trellis.
Shop This Project
Completed Deer Fence
Ah, we love our deer fence!
Not only has it prevented the deer from munching my veggies, but it has created a beautiful spot to enjoy my garden.
I love that we are still able to enjoy the view, as we can see directly through the fence.
And soon the Wisteria will be draping over the trellis.
A few weeks back I wrote a post aboutslugs in my garden.
If you are struggling with slugs or snails, you’ll want to see my natural way to keep them from munching my strawberries and tomatoes.
And I’m happy to report that I’m still enjoying my juicy fresh strawberries. Yum!
For more backyard ideas, check out ourDIY Paver Patio.
And30 Inexpensive and Easy Backyard Patio Ideas on a Budget.
If your yard is situated on a slope, check outHow to Install Stone Stepsfor less than $100.
So can you see a deer fence for your garden in your future?
If you have questions or comments about building a deer fence for your yard, drop us a comment below.
We’d love to hear from you!
We hope you found some inspiration here today!
Thank you for spending a little time with us.
Did you enjoy this post?! PleasePINit and share with your friends!
Sharing is caring!
If you’re new here, WELCOME! We love having new readers and friends!
You can learn more about ushere.
We love to hear from you!
Let’s stay connected! Subscribe to our free newsletter so you don’t miss any inspiration for your home.
PleasePINand save for later, and share with your friends! Sharing helps grow our following!
Thanks for stopping by and as always here at Sunny Side Design
WE HOPE TO BRING YOUR HOME TO THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET!
Retailers We Love
- Anthropologie
- Birch Lane
- Crate & Barrel
- Joss and Main
- Lampsplus
- Mark & Graham
- One Kings Lane
- Pottery Barn
- Rejuvenation
- Serena & Lily
- Wayfair
- West Elm
- Williams Sonoma
- World Market
Be sure to follow us onPinterestfor even more home decor and DIY ideas.
To see what we are working on before it’s on our blog, follow us onInstagram.
You will also find our video tutorials on ourYouTube channel.
$5 Hutch Top Repurposed to an Attractive French Inspired Cabinet
How to Make a Pottery Barn Color Block Vase Dupe
How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink
How to Make Simple Custom DIY Drawer Dividers
