Best Fence for a Vegetable Garden: Hog Wire, Welded Wire & Deer Fence Options
What Fence Actually Keeps Rabbits, Groundhogs, and Deer Out of Your Garden
A garden without a fence is a buffet for rabbits, deer, groundhogs, and other hungry visitors. The right garden fence keeps pests out while giving you easy access to tend your plants. Here is how to choose.
TL;DR
- The right fence depends on what you are keeping out. Rabbits need 2-foot mesh buried 6 inches underground. Deer need 7.5 to 8 feet of height.
- Hog wire panels with 2x2-inch mesh are the best all-around garden fence — they block small pests, support climbing vegetables as a trellis, and last decades.
- For deer, BarrierBoss deer fence panels are available up to 8 feet tall in heavy steel mesh.
- Always bury the bottom of garden fencing 6 to 12 inches underground to prevent burrowing. Install a gate at least 36 inches wide for wheelbarrow access.
- BarrierBoss ships factory-direct with a 40-year warranty and BarrierDirect delivery on our own trucks. Free shipping on orders $2,500 and above.
What Are You Keeping Out?
Rabbits
- 2-foot fence height
- 1x1 or 2x2-inch mesh
- Bury bottom 6 inches underground
Groundhogs
- 3-foot fence height
- Small mesh, tight spacing
- Bury 12 inches with L-footer
Deer
- 7.5 to 8-foot fence height
- Or double fence: two 4-foot fences spaced 4 feet apart
Raccoons and Opossums
- 4-foot fence height
- Add floppy top extension that bends outward
Best Garden Fence Materials
Hog Wire Panels — Best All-Around Choice
Hog wire panels with 2x2-inch mesh are the best all-around garden fence for most homeowners. They block rabbits and groundhogs, support climbing vegetables as a built-in trellis, and look attractive enough for a front-yard kitchen garden. The 6-gauge steel is permanent — you install it once and it lasts decades with zero maintenance. Train beans, peas, cucumbers, and tomatoes directly up the grid. No separate trellis structure required.
Deer Fence Panels — Best for Deer Country
For deer, height is everything. BarrierBoss deer fence panels are available up to 8 feet tall in heavy steel mesh. The mesh is designed to be visible enough that deer do not run through it while remaining subtle in appearance from a distance. For properties where deer pressure is constant, 8 feet is the reliable threshold. A double fence system (two 4-foot fences spaced 4 feet apart) can also work since deer are reluctant to jump into a confined space.
Hog Wire With Tighter Mesh — Best for Small Pest Exclusion
For gardens where rabbits, chipmunks, or small rodents are the primary threat, tighter mesh spacing matters more than height. BarrierBoss hog wire panels are available in multiple mesh sizes. Pair a smaller mesh option at the base with standard 2x4 or 4x4 mesh above for a cost-effective layered approach that handles both small and medium pests without a full solid-bottom fence.
Garden Fence Height Guide
| Garden Type | Primary Pest | Recommended Height | Mesh Size | Burial Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised beds | Rabbits, groundhogs | 2 to 3 feet | 1x1 or 2x2 inch | 6 inches |
| In-ground garden (general) | Rabbits, raccoons, groundhogs | 4 feet | 2x2 inch | 6 to 12 inches |
| In-ground garden (groundhog) | Groundhogs | 3 feet above ground | 2x2 inch | 12 inches with L-footer |
| Deer country | Deer | 7.5 to 8 feet | 4x4 inch or larger | 6 inches minimum |
Pro Tips for Garden Fencing
- Always bury the bottom 6 to 12 inches underground. Rabbits and groundhogs do not jump — they dig. Buried mesh stops that. For groundhogs specifically, bend the bottom 6 inches outward underground in an L-shape to prevent them from digging straight down along the fence line.
- Use hog wire panels as fence and trellis in one. The rigid 6-gauge grid supports the weight of beans, peas, cucumbers, and squash vines. Run the fence down the center of a bed and grow climbers on both sides for maximum use of vertical space.
- Install a gate wide enough for a wheelbarrow. At least 36 inches. You will regret a narrower gate the first time you try to move soil or compost in. BarrierBoss hog wire gates are available in matching finishes.
- Extend height with a floppy top for raccoons. A 12 to 18-inch extension of flexible mesh at the top of a 4-foot fence that bends outward under the animal's weight deters raccoons effectively without requiring a full 8-foot structure.
Why Hog Wire Beats Chicken Wire for Garden Fencing
Chicken wire is the traditional garden fence choice, but it sags, rusts, and fails within a few seasons. Standard chicken wire uses 20-gauge wire — thin enough to bend by hand. BarrierBoss hog wire uses 6-gauge steel, which is more than three times thicker. The welded intersections in hog wire panels prevent the mesh from stretching or distorting under pressure from animals pushing against it. Chicken wire that has been pushed and pulled by animals for a few seasons develops gaps and loose sections that become pest entry points. Hog wire stays rigid for decades. See shipping rates and delivery details.
Shop Garden-Ready Fencing
Factory-direct pricing, 40-year warranty, and BarrierDirect delivery on our own trucks with curbside unload. Browse hog wire panels for all-around garden use or deer fence panels for properties where height is the priority.
Shop These Products
Black Hog Wire Fence Panels
6-gauge welded wire, 2x2 to 4x4-inch mesh options. Blocks rabbits and groundhogs, doubles as a trellis for climbing vegetables. 40-year warranty.
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Deer Fence Panels
Up to 8 feet tall in heavy steel mesh. Designed to be visible enough that deer do not attempt to jump through, while remaining subtle in appearance.
See current pricing
Hog Wire Fence Gates
Matching walk gates in 6-gauge galvanized steel. Ready to hang with hardware included. Wide enough for wheelbarrow access.
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