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Vegetable Gardening

Electric fence for veggie garden.

15 years ago

Strongly considering an electric fence for my garden this year. Last year was my first garden and I didn't have too many issues with animals.. Mostly things like chipmunks terrorized my tomatoes.. But, I didn't grow corn. I know if I do deer and coons will get it. A lot of wildlife in the area. (basically in an open field)

Its a small garden (maybe 1,500 sqft or so) I have AC electric at the site, and the 2mil elec fences are around $25 at Tractor Supply.. So, considering going for it.

I would just hate to go through the trouble of making a garden to see it destroyed.

The plan would be 3 strands. One very close to the ground. I would put plastic down below that strand to keep weeds from grounding it out. Then another strand about 8 inches off the ground, and another a few feet up to keep deer out.

I also plan to keep the fence turned on at all times once the seeds are planted. That will at least keep animals from trampling the little seedlings.

Sound good?

Anyone have pics of their setup?

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Comments (6)

anney
15 years ago
Tommy

Lots of people lament how high deer can leap over electric fences, and some other deer barrier arrangements are discussed lots of places on Garden Web. If you want to explore some of the discussions about what's worked for others before shelling out that money, the link below should help.

What sounds best and most economical to me are slanted fences, which apparently play havoc with the visual perceptions of deer. People have also had great success with two sets of fences separated by about six feet. A deer may leap over the first fence but cannot jump high over the next fence from the small space between the two fences.

Anyway, keeping deer out of gardens is a trial to many people!

Here is a link that might be useful: Deer Fences discussions
winchesterva
15 years ago
We installed electric fence last year with a similar setup you are proposing and found it was not enough. rabbits could get over the highest lower wire, as did a few ground hogs. So, we rewired it this year, here is a photo, looks like overkill, but I am determined to keep those critters out this year. We use a solor panel to power it.
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anney
15 years ago
winchesterva

LOL! That's one heckuva electric fence! The solar panel power sounds great!
winchesterva
15 years ago
Yep, when the critters ate more of my garden then I did, it was all out war, so.....the newly expanded fence.
steelshepherd
15 years ago
Deer? No sweat. Dogs and predator urine (ie. I pee in my garden)

Surely if the want in bad enough they'll come in anyhow. This is working so far though.
tomacco
15 years ago
Just put this 6 foot fence in after a deer ate my seedlings. Gonna take it to 8 feet with metal extensions.

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