Hey everyone! I'm a first-time gardener based in Massachusetts and I'm currently working on setting up raised beds for my garden. I'm wondering what strategies you all use to keep pests at bay—especially bunnies, since I've heard they can be a big problem around here. I haven't encountered raccoons or deer yet, but I'm aware they might be lurking. Do you typically fence in your beds but leave the tops open, or do you cover the whole setup? Also, how much of an issue are birds for you? Do you just accept some losses or try to find ways to deter them? I'd love to see pictures of your setups if you have any! Thanks in advance for the help!
6 Answers
I had to go all out with a fencing solution for my 8x4 bed since rabbits were decimating everything. I repurposed an old dog kennel and even had to buy an extra set just to make sure I had enough space to get around and reach everything. On top of that, I added bird netting since squirrels were also a problem. It’s a hassle to keep everything covered, but if I don’t, my veggies are in serious trouble!
Birds are definitely a pain for me! I have found that using shade cloth does help to keep them away. It's a bit tricky to set up, but it really cuts down the thefts from my berry bushes!
I opted for a 5ft tall chicken wire fence around my garden which is reinforced by T posts. To keep the bunnies, woodchucks, and even deer out, I buried part of the fence to create a barrier. It’s 6ft tall with an outward-facing L at the bottom, which has worked out well since deer can jump, but they don't seem to bother my garden at all. I even use the fence to support some of my vining plants!
I just put chicken wire around my beds and used some cheap livestock fence posts to keep it up. It works pretty well, but if you're thinking long term, watch out for the orange snow fence because it blocks out sunlight and deteriorates over time.
I find it’s a lot easier to fence off the entire perimeter of the garden rather than just the beds. That way, you have a solid defense against all kinds of pests. Plus, it gives a nice clean look to the whole area!
For me, covering my seedlings with dollar store wire wastebaskets works wonders. I also deal with rats and birds that are sneaky enough to climb my trellis to munch on my tomatoes. Unfortunately, they can chew through organza bags, so I'm still on the lookout for a better solution. This year, I tried making hoops out of PVC and covered everything in mesh cloth to combat squash vine borer issues, but I'll have to hand pollinate my squash manually now. Just a heads-up, putting out used kitty litter can sometimes help scare off rats, along with shiny objects and even a hawk statue!
Wow, that sounds intense! I never thought about the kitty litter trick. I'll have to try that out!