Seasonal Acres Good“ De-Fence”, Best Offense
and four to five feet apart. Deer have poor depth perception and are reluctant to jump into confined spaces.
• For Rabbits: A fence( or raised bed) that is two to three feet high is generally enough to prevent rabbits from hopping over it. The main concern with rabbits is digging, not jumping.
How deep should it go?
• For Rabbits and Armadillos: To stop burrowing animals, your fence needs to extend underground.( This is where you can use hardware cloth). A common method is to create an " L-shaped " barrier. Dig a trench about six to 12 inches deep along your fenceline. Install the fence and then bend the bottom 12 inches of the fencing outward, away from the garden, to form an L-shape at the bottom of the trench. When animals try to dig down, they will hit this underground
wire flap and be deterred. Bury the flap with soil to secure it. This technique is highly effective against both rabbits and armadillos.
Natural and Scent Repellents
Many animals, especially deer, have a sensitive sense of smell that you can use to your advantage.
If you’ re looking for an alternative or addition to a traditional fence, consider creating an aromatic barrier using fragrant plants. According to Ciondre Pinnock, owner of Full Cycle Yard Development & Maintenance, an aromatic“ fence” built with powerhouse plants can be highly effective, beautiful and more budget-friendly. Try planting these heavy hitters for your living aromatic fence:
• English Lavender: The gold standard for an aromatic shield. While people love its calming scent, deer and rabbits find its high concentration of essential oils overwhelming. It also helps mask the scent of your vegetables.
• Rosemary: Often called lavender’ s“ best friend,” rosemary thrives in the same conditions. Its woody stems provide structural height, and its aroma repels both insects and larger pests such as aphids and carrot flies.
• Sage: This hardy herb brings a beautiful graygreen texture and offers a robust scent that deters deer and cabbage moths.
Protecting your garden from wildlife doesn ' t have to be a losing battle. By identifying your local pests and building a smart fence tailored to their behavior, you can create a secure space for your plants to thrive. Combining the right materials with proper height, depth and a few extra deterrents will give you the peace of mind to enjoy the fruits and vegetables of your labor.
34 AcreageLife April 2026 AcreageLife. com