My wife desires a raised garden outside our yard in the greenbelt. We
plan to use the garden for vegetables. We aare debating the use of
landscape timbers, railroad ties, and just regular 2x12 lumber for the
edging. I am concerned about arsenic and coaltar used in the timbers and
railroad ties and want to use 2x12's with 4x4 posts to hold in place and
serve as anchors for fencing material to keep all of the deer out of it.
How high should we make the fence? She is concerned about deer jumping
into the garden, it is approx. 10feet x15 feet. I have proposed a 4-5 ft
tall fence, knowing that the deer could get in there if they desire, but
don't think they will. Does anyone have experience keeping deer out of
such a garden? Your comments on either subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Your wife's concerns are well founded. Deer can jump over any 6 foot fence. If
you have the money and want to use a great wood, cedar is the way to go. Use it
for the posts and the edging. It comes in all sizes. My personal favorite is
actual stone. You may be surprised to find out how inexpensive dry stack is.

If I had deer I'd fully enclose my vegetable garden by completely covering the
top with fence material.


On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 22:10:11 GMT, "coyote22(nospam)"
opined:

My wife desires a raised garden outside our yard in the greenbelt. We
plan to use the garden for vegetables. We aare debating the use of
landscape timbers, railroad ties, and just regular 2x12 lumber for the
edging. I am concerned about arsenic and coaltar used in the timbers and
railroad ties and want to use 2x12's with 4x4 posts to hold in place and
serve as anchors for fencing material to keep all of the deer out of it.
How high should we make the fence? She is concerned about deer jumping
into the garden, it is approx. 10feet x15 feet. I have proposed a 4-5 ft
tall fence, knowing that the deer could get in there if they desire, but
don't think they will. Does anyone have experience keeping deer out of
such a garden? Your comments on either subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

I'm doubtful that the deer will leap into a relatively small enclosed space
like this. I'd imagine a 6 foot (sturdy) fence to be adequate protection,
especially in addition to a 12 inch raised area. I'd also consider decoy
plantings (herbs) that deer don't like, around the perimeter.

Wood (particularly if not pressure-treated) will not last very long if used
to contain the raised bed. I'd opt for stone or some of those stacking
Windsor blocks (I've used them before). If you must use wood, line the
interior with plastic or paint it with water-resistant non-toxic paint
before putting the dirt in.

"coyote22(nospam)" wrote in message
...
My wife desires a raised garden outside our yard in the greenbelt. We
plan to use the garden for vegetables. We aare debating the use of
landscape timbers, railroad ties, and just regular 2x12 lumber for the
edging. I am concerned about arsenic and coaltar used in the timbers and
railroad ties and want to use 2x12's with 4x4 posts to hold in place and
serve as anchors for fencing material to keep all of the deer out of it.
How high should we make the fence? She is concerned about deer jumping
into the garden, it is approx. 10feet x15 feet. I have proposed a 4-5 ft
tall fence, knowing that the deer could get in there if they desire, but
don't think they will. Does anyone have experience keeping deer out of
such a garden? Your comments on either subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

I'm doubtful that the deer will leap into a relatively small enclosed space
like this. I'd imagine a 6 foot (sturdy) fence to be adequate protection,
especially in addition to a 12 inch raised area. I'd also consider decoy
plantings (herbs) that deer don't like, around the perimeter.

Wood (particularly if not pressure-treated) will not last very long if used
to contain the raised bed. I'd opt for stone or some of those stacking
Windsor blocks (I've used them before). If you must use wood, line the
interior with plastic or paint it with water-resistant non-toxic paint
before putting the dirt in.

"coyote22(nospam)" wrote in message
...
My wife desires a raised garden outside our yard in the greenbelt. We
plan to use the garden for vegetables. We aare debating the use of
landscape timbers, railroad ties, and just regular 2x12 lumber for the
edging. I am concerned about arsenic and coaltar used in the timbers and
railroad ties and want to use 2x12's with 4x4 posts to hold in place and
serve as anchors for fencing material to keep all of the deer out of it.
How high should we make the fence? She is concerned about deer jumping
into the garden, it is approx. 10feet x15 feet. I have proposed a 4-5 ft
tall fence, knowing that the deer could get in there if they desire, but
don't think they will. Does anyone have experience keeping deer out of
such a garden? Your comments on either subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

I'm doubtful that the deer will leap into a relatively small enclosed space
like this. I'd imagine a 6 foot (sturdy) fence to be adequate protection,
especially in addition to a 12 inch raised area. I'd also consider decoy
plantings (herbs) that deer don't like, around the perimeter.

Wood (particularly if not pressure-treated) will not last very long if used
to contain the raised bed. I'd opt for stone or some of those stacking
Windsor blocks (I've used them before). If you must use wood, line the
interior with plastic or paint it with water-resistant non-toxic paint
before putting the dirt in.

"coyote22(nospam)" wrote in message
...
My wife desires a raised garden outside our yard in the greenbelt. We
plan to use the garden for vegetables. We aare debating the use of
landscape timbers, railroad ties, and just regular 2x12 lumber for the
edging. I am concerned about arsenic and coaltar used in the timbers and
railroad ties and want to use 2x12's with 4x4 posts to hold in place and
serve as anchors for fencing material to keep all of the deer out of it.
How high should we make the fence? She is concerned about deer jumping
into the garden, it is approx. 10feet x15 feet. I have proposed a 4-5 ft
tall fence, knowing that the deer could get in there if they desire, but
don't think they will. Does anyone have experience keeping deer out of
such a garden? Your comments on either subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

"coyote22(nospam)" wrote in message
...
My wife desires a raised garden outside our yard in the greenbelt. We
plan to use the garden for vegetables. We aare debating the use of
landscape timbers, railroad ties, and just regular 2x12 lumber for the
edging. I am concerned about arsenic and coaltar used in the timbers and
railroad ties and want to use 2x12's with 4x4 posts to hold in place and
serve as anchors for fencing material to keep all of the deer out of it.
How high should we make the fence? She is concerned about deer jumping
into the garden, it is approx. 10feet x15 feet. I have proposed a 4-5 ft
tall fence, knowing that the deer could get in there if they desire, but
don't think they will. Does anyone have experience keeping deer out of
such a garden? Your comments on either subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.


I've seen deer stand right next to a 6' fence and jump it from standing still.

If you use wood other than cedar or redwood you will have to protect it. Try
either spar marine varnish or one of the two part epoxies. Cover the wood
thoroughly before putting it together.


Tyler

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 22:10:11 GMT, "coyote22(nospam)"
wrote:

My wife desires a raised garden outside our yard in the greenbelt. We
plan to use the garden for vegetables. We aare debating the use of
landscape timbers, railroad ties, and just regular 2x12 lumber for the
edging. I am concerned about arsenic and coaltar used in the timbers and
railroad ties and want to use 2x12's with 4x4 posts to hold in place and
serve as anchors for fencing material to keep all of the deer out of it.
How high should we make the fence? She is concerned about deer jumping
into the garden, it is approx. 10feet x15 feet. I have proposed a 4-5 ft
tall fence, knowing that the deer could get in there if they desire, but
don't think they will. Does anyone have experience keeping deer out of
such a garden? Your comments on either subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Maybe you could apply another suggestion I saw recently (here or in
rec.gardens). Someone said deer won't walk on chicken wire laid flat
on the ground. Since you don't have a large garden, you might get
away with a "moat" of CW and a smaller fence?

I make no claims about the accuracy of the above claim, though.

Keith
For more info about the International Society of Arboriculture, please visit http://www.isa-arbor.com/home.asp.
For consumer info about tree care, visit http://www.treesaregood.com/

I had excellent luck keeping deer out of my garden by criss-crossing fat
plastic twine across the top. Because I didn't want to duck under the
"roof", I raised the twine over my head level by attaching green plastic
fake bamboo poles (cheap & light) to the fence posts, and then running the
twine in a zigzag between the tops of those. I also criss-crossed a few
strands around the sides as well, to discourage them from leaning in to
browse.

I confess it, wasn't pretty. But it was effective. I used orange plastic
twine because I had that, but it comes in colors that blend in...

"coyote22(nospam)" wrote in message
...
My wife desires a raised garden outside our yard in the greenbelt. We
plan to use the garden for vegetables. We aare debating the use of
landscape timbers, railroad ties, and just regular 2x12 lumber for the
edging. I am concerned about arsenic and coaltar used in the timbers and
railroad ties and want to use 2x12's with 4x4 posts to hold in place and
serve as anchors for fencing material to keep all of the deer out of it.
How high should we make the fence? She is concerned about deer jumping
into the garden, it is approx. 10feet x15 feet. I have proposed a 4-5 ft
tall fence, knowing that the deer could get in there if they desire, but
don't think they will. Does anyone have experience keeping deer out of
such a garden? Your comments on either subject would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.