Garden Fence Calculator
Plan rodent and deer garden protection with welded wire rolls, posts, and subterranean L-shaped anti-burrow aprons.
Garden fence & pest barrier
Enter your measurements and the result updates as you type.
Overview
Gardens face pests from above and below: deer jump over low perimeters while rabbits, groundhogs, and voles burrow underneath. A true pest-proof garden fence combines vertical height with a buried underground apron.
This calculator sizes perimeter welded wire rolls, posts, and underground L-skirt aprons to protect vegetable beds and fruit trees completely.
Common mistakes
- Stopping wire mesh at ground level without an underground apron, allowing rabbits and groundhogs to burrow under in minutes.
- Using plastic netting that rodents easily chew through within days of planting.
- Building garden fences 5 to 6 feet high for deer, which is high enough to attract deer but low enough for them to clear easily (aim for 4ft for small pests or 8ft for deer).
- Using wide 2x4 mesh near the ground where baby rabbits squeeze straight through.
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Related reading
In-depth guides
Frequently asked questions
What is a garden fence apron and why is it needed?
An apron is wire mesh that bends 90 degrees at ground level and extends 6 to 12 inches outward underground. Animals attempting to burrow hit the wire barrier and stop.
What mesh size keeps rabbits and rodents out of gardens?
Use 1/2-inch or 1-inch galvanized hardware cloth on the bottom 2 feet of the fence to stop small bunnies, groundhogs, and voles.
How tall must a garden fence be to stop deer?
To reliably exclude white-tailed deer, a vertical garden fence must be at least 8 feet (96 inches) tall. A 6-foot fence can be jumped by adult deer.
How many rolls of wire are needed for a 120-foot garden perimeter?
A 120-foot perimeter requires two 100-foot rolls of wire mesh, leaving 80 feet of excess for patching, gates, or compost bin enclosures.
Can you use steel T-posts for garden fencing?
Yes. Green powder-coated steel T-posts or U-channel metal posts blend into garden landscapes and install quickly without digging concrete holes.
How deep should a garden fence apron be buried?
Bury the L-apron 2 to 6 inches beneath turf, mulch, or gravel. You can also lay it flat on the surface and pin it with stakes; grass grows through within weeks.
How wide should a garden entrance gate be?
Make garden walk gates at least 36 to 48 inches wide so you can comfortably push a loaded wheelbarrow or garden cart through.
What wire coating lasts longest in garden soil?
Galvanized-after-welding (GAW) or black PVC-coated welded wire lasts 15 to 20 years in wet garden soil without rusting.