This may be a little more elaborate than what you need, but we recently built a "roof" for our raised garden bed with hinged doors for easy access:

How to Build a (Covered) Raised Garden Bed

yes, a little too involved for me! but looks great! I was thinking of a hoop enclosure. I found some rebar but how do I make it removable? As I need to tend to the garden from time to time

Depending on the size of the garden a 5ft high fence may not be high enuff.

that's why I think a hoop enclosure might be the way to go. Deer wont get be able to get through it since it is a full enclosure. If I can figure out how to make it removable, it would be perfect. my garden is 4 foot x 4 foot. so 4 pieces of rebar, then 2 10 foot pieces of 3/4" PVC pipe. Maybe connect them together somehow? then chicken wire over them

I can't picture the project as the parameters are set. Not the parameters of the garden itself, the parameters of the project. Is this as big a garden as you'll ever grow there? Will you ever expand?

I have no desire to take the wind out of your sails, but 'gating' a 4' x 4' space is a lot of work, and a potentially perpetual 'impediment'. It may keep the deer out, but it's going to keep you out also. You may find that in a month or 2 of opening your enclosure, that you've spent a lot of time, energy, and resources on something you won't enjoy.

So, let's explore the parameters... why so small? Is it space in the yard? Finances? Not enough free time? HOA issues?

Were it me, and there were no exigent reasons to limit the fencing to the 4' sq., I would expand my vision and fence the area away from the sq. This way, all you would need is a 'man gate'. Your energies would go into building a 'proper' fence, with a proper gate and you won't have the future frustrations. You would also have the option of later expanding without having to spend time on a contraption for each bed... again though, assuming the limits are not for 'good' reason.

I really just want a small garden - as I don't have the time to do a big garden. it is mostly herbs with one big tomato plant and some pepper plants. as to the other poster. exactly why I made the post! trying to figure out how to fence it while also being able to get in it? in reality I would also just spray water through the fence. Again, trying to figure out how to make the hoop idea easily removable so I could get to it.

Yeah, hopefully someone can help you, but going by your feedback, it's not space that's at issue for you, rather it seems you have an outline of a concept and you're trying to make it work. That's okay, from experience, I would do it differently, but that's variety.

The only help I can offer is for you to just consider building a fence 3' - 4' out from each side of your square. You can make it smaller if you wish, but 3' - 4' gives you plenty of room to move around. No special designs or carpentry skills required, and it serves the purpose, deer defeated!

In any case, Good luck!

I used two pieces of wood and sandwiched them between the chicken wire and drilled screws to hold it together. Then just used some wire that was used to hold the chicken wire rolled up and hooked it on the fence post and looped it over the door to hold it and have not had any issues. It's cheap and simple.

edit :

what it looks like when open, I just let it curl open

my fence is about 5ft tall the grow boxes are 8' X 4' and 4' X 4'

Certainly there is nothing wrong with a small garden. I don't have any experience with a hoop house and for spraying water thru a fence? First spraying water can lead to other problems esp. mildews etc. from getting the leaves wet. Lifting or accessing a hoop house I think will be more troubles than it is worth for long season crops.

I am for moving the fence farther away from the bed frame but I prefer at least 4 ft. Some feel they can make do with less - so kneel down and work the bed to see just how much room you will need then add a foot as it will get crowded fast..

Do you compost or will you? I have recently moved my compost pile into my garden area 1.) to make it easier, and 2.) soil any worms or composted minerals, etc. are in the soil where I am actively growing plants.

Keep a mulched area at least 4ft away from your bed frame as the roots from your plants will travel well beyond the bed frame and will not have to compete with grass or other weeds for water and other minerals.

For other ways to keep deer away - have you considered a dog?

If you still need a gate I am willing to bet that Home Depot or Lowes will have something.

Agree with others that a gate isn't your primary issue but if that is all you are interested in then just take 1 of the re-rod pieces that are as tall as your fence and tie-wrap your chicken wire to it. So now it it fixed on the one corner fence post and wrapped around the piece of re-rod on the other end. To close the "gate" just pull the piece of re-rod over to the next corner post and tie it to it with a piece of cord or something that you can easily untie and open to get into the garden. In other words, your "gate" is one side of the fence.

If you decide to build a hoop cover then just hinge it to one side of the bed and flip it open to access the bed.

FYI - deer don't even slow down when it comes to jumping a 5' fence or crashing through it for that matter. Been there and done that. :) For only a 4x4' bed fencing is a lot of work for very little return. Consider one of the sprayed deer repellents instead or better yet, growing in containers instead close to the house.

Dave

When I started my garden about 16 years ago, I was very gung-ho and planted a bunch of herbs in a 3x3 raised bed!

It turned into a JUNGLE of herbs that I didn't really know about!

I ended up giving the plants away to any who would dig them out on FREECYCLE.

I now do my herbs in containers in a very pretty and controlled herb garden!

There is still some lemon verbena that has taken over the origional bed and is spreading to other areas! GRRRRR!

Of course, in OH you probably freeze which means you have to re-plant each year! Nancy