What is the best way to "fence" (3) 2' x 4' metal oval raised garden beds to keep critters out?

[Zboltman]

I've serached the forum and other than a complete cage; found nothing that would apply to my situation.
Going to have 3 oval metal raised beds on the ground. About `18" apart. They are 18" high and will be at a right angle to the house wall with 1 foot space.
should I build a high fence around the whole thing with a gate or fence each one individually?
Could use chicken wire and stakes for individual; but it would make planting and weeding access difficult for elderly.
Could build a 4 foot fence around the whole thing with a small gate. alot of work, but better?
What wouold you do?

 

[Meadowlark]

First question: Do you have deer in the immediate vicinity?

If so, you will need something at or above 7 feet tall in my experience.

Forget about chicken wire...it is too flimsy, too quick to rust, and in general worthless against some tough critters. Consider hardware cloth or something comparable. I use hog panels with the narrow openings down.

I would trend towards one fence for all the beds with access gate(s)... but a picture of the area and location would help decide that. I would use treated 4x4x8 post anchored in small bag of concrete and cut to fit top of fence whatever you decide.

On mine for the garden, I lay a treated 1x6 board along the bottom edge of the fence and nail the fence to that...no penetration that way and it looks nice. I built that fence almost 1/2 century ago and it has never been breached.

Build it right and never worry about it again. Take shortcuts and pay for it later.

p.s. perfectly willing to post photo if desired...tomorrow.

 

[Zboltman]

First question: Do you have deer in the immediate vicinity?

If so, you will need something at or above 7 feet tall in my experience.

Forget about chicken wire...it is too flimsy, too quick to rust, and in general worthless against some tough critters. Consider hardware cloth or something comparable. I use hog panels with the narrow openings down.

I would trend towards one fence for all the beds with access gate(s)... but a picture of the area and location would help decide that. I would use treated 4x4x8 post anchored in small bag of concrete and cut to fit top of fence whatever you decide.

On mine for the garden, I lay a treated 1x6 board along the bottom edge of the fence and nail the fence to that...no penetration that way and it looks nice. I built that fence almost 1/2 century ago and it has never been breached.

Build it right and never worry about it again. Take shortcuts and pay for it later.

p.s. perfectly willing to post photo if desired...tomorrow.

Well, no dear, fortunatly. What we do have are squirrels, cats, raccoons, rats, opossums and the occasional skunk...
You are right about the chicken wire. Love the idea of the board at the bottom.