How to Protect Your Raised Garden Bed from Pests and Animals
Home & Garden Insider
How to Protect Your Raised Garden Bed from Pests and Animals
Discover proven strategies to shield your raised garden bed from unwanted intruders, featuring practical advice from seasoned gardening experts. Learn how to combine physical barriers and natural deterrents to create a robust defense against pests and animals. This article provides a step-by-step guide rooted in expert knowledge to ensure your garden thrives, free from the disruption of pesky visitors.
- Install Chicken Wire at Bed Base
- Use Physical Barriers and Strategic Planting
- Combine Physical Barriers and Natural Deterrents
- Install Wire Mesh and Natural Deterrents
Install Chicken Wire at Bed Base
Hi Emily,
My name is Doug Kessinger. I represent Matt Smith (co-owner of Green Pest Management & pest control professional). Here is his brief response to your question about protecting raised garden beds:
"One of my top tips for protecting raised garden beds would be to put chicken wire on the base of the bed before you start putting the dirt in. Doing this will help with preventing gophers from coming up from the bottom. We have a lot of gophers in our field. Even with a large population of them around, they haven't got into my garden by using this tactic.
Here is the business website: www.greenpestmgmt.com.
A short bio about Matt if needed: Matt Smith has been working in the pest control industry since 2009. He is a co-owner of Green Pest Management which was started in 2014 in New Castle, Delaware. With his background and experience, he is knowledgeable about a variety of pests, pest activity, and ways of dealing with pests infesting homes & businesses.
Let me know if there's anything else you need. Thank you,
Doug Kessinger
Director of Marketing
Green Pest Management
Use Physical Barriers and Strategic Planting
One of the most effective ways I've found to protect a raised garden bed from pests and animals is using a combination of physical barriers and strategic planting. A sturdy mesh or fine chicken wire around the bed, ideally with a hinged or removable top, keeps out larger pests like rabbits and opossums while still allowing sunlight and rain to reach the plants. For burrowing pests like rodents, lining the bottom of the bed with hardware cloth before adding soil is a game changer. I've also used companion planting techniques, like surrounding vegetables with strong-scented herbs such as rosemary and basil, which naturally repel insects and some animals. This approach not only deters pests but also enhances plant health and flavor. Years of hands-on experience and my horticultural studies have reinforced how important it is to use a multi-layered defense instead of relying on just one method.
One client had ongoing issues with opossums devouring their leafy greens, despite trying different deterrents. Using my expertise, I designed a lightweight but sturdy frame covered with UV-resistant insect netting, which allowed airflow but kept the opossums out. I also introduced marigolds and chives to naturally ward off insects, reducing the need for chemical sprays. Within weeks, my client's garden was thriving, with no further losses to pests. My ability to assess garden environments and apply the right protective measures comes from over 15 years in the industry, and it's these tailored solutions that make the biggest difference.
Combine Physical Barriers and Natural Deterrents
My top tip for protecting a raised garden bed from pests and animals is to use a combination of physical barriers and natural deterrents. In my own garden, I've had great success with netting or chicken wire around the perimeter of the bed to keep out larger animals like rabbits and deer. I also use row covers for smaller pests like aphids or caterpillars. These covers allow sunlight and water to reach the plants while providing a protective shield from insects.
In addition to physical barriers, I've found that planting pest-repellent herbs like basil, mint, or marigolds around the edges of the bed helps keep insects at bay. The strong scents act as a natural deterrent. Another method that's worked well for me is sprinkling crushed eggshells around the base of the plants to deter snails and slugs. This combination has been incredibly effective in keeping my plants safe without using harsh chemicals.
Install Wire Mesh and Natural Deterrents
My top tip for protecting a raised garden bed from pests and animals is to install a simple wire mesh or hardware cloth barrier around and beneath the bed. This prevents burrowing pests like moles and rabbits from getting in while still allowing for proper drainage.
What has been most effective for me is using a combination of physical barriers and natural deterrents. I added a removable netting cover to keep deer and birds out, and I planted strong-scented herbs like mint and rosemary around the edges to deter smaller pests. This combination has significantly reduced damage while keeping the garden accessible for maintenance.
