Deer fencing (8-foot or double-fence barrier)

Deer can devastate a garden overnight and are one of the most challenging pests to exclude because they can jump up to 8 feet high. The most reliable deer solution is a physical fence at least 8 feet tall around the garden perimeter. Use welded wire fencing, deer netting (polypropylene mesh), or hardware cloth attached to wooden or metal posts. Black polypropylene deer netting ($30-60 for 100 feet x 7.5 feet) is nearly invisible and less visually intrusive than wire fencing. For shorter fences, the double-fence technique works: install two parallel 4-foot fences spaced 4-5 feet apart. Deer will not jump a barrier they cannot clear in a single bound if they cannot gauge the landing distance. This requires more ground space but avoids tall fencing. Electric fence with polytape ($80-150 for a garden-sized charger and supplies) is another effective option; bait the polytape with peanut butter to train deer to avoid it. For individual raised beds without perimeter fencing, hardware cloth cages (4-5 feet tall, open top) deter casual browsing but determined deer will reach over. Motion-activated sprinklers ($25-40, Orbit Yard Enforcer) provide supplemental deterrence.