Protect Your Garden Now with a Critter-Proof Raised Bed Before It’s Too Late!

There’s nothing more frustrating than waking up to find your garden destroyed by animals.

You’ve spent hours planting, watering, and caring for your plants, only to discover that rabbits, gophers, squirrels, or even the neighbor’s cat have turned your hard work into their personal eating spot.

It’s enough to make you want to scream.

Trust me, a lot of gardeners have been there, and everyone says it feels like a punch in the gut every time.

So, how do you stop them?

Well, building a critter-proof raised garden bed is one way to protect your plants.

This setup not only keeps your plants safe but also makes gardening more enjoyable.

Once you’ve got it set up, you won’t need to worry about animals eating your plants anymore.

Figuring Out Which Critters Are Causing Trouble

The first thing you’ll want to do is figure out which critters are causing the most damage.

It’s not always easy to tell right away, but once you do, it will help you plan more effectively.

For example, if you’re finding holes or tunnels in the soil, it’s likely gophers or moles.

If you notice your seedlings being chewed off or tomatoes disappearing overnight, you might be dealing with squirrels or rabbits.

Once you’ve identified your pests, it becomes much easier to come up with a solution.

Best Materials for Critter-Proof Raised Beds

I have compiled the best materials I’ve come across from online sources and many gardeners' experiences.

These are the commonly used materials that most people rely on to keep critters from munching on their gardens.

Take note, though, that these are just my recommendations—it’s still up to you to decide what works best for your garden.

So without further ado, let’s take a look!

Hardware Cloth

If you’re looking to keep critters out of your garden, I’d recommend starting with hardware cloth.

It’s a material I often suggest for lining the bottom of a raised bed because it’s tough, weather-resistant, and has small openings that prevent burrowing animals like gophers and moles.

It’s a reliable option that many gardeners trust.

Chicken Wire

For covering the sides or top of a bed, I recommend using chicken wire. It’s easy to work with and highly effective against rabbits and squirrels.

Cedar Wood or Galvanized Metal Panels

When it comes to building the frame, I’d personally recommend cedar wood or galvanized metal panels.

These materials hold up well to the elements and last longer, which is essential when you’re protecting your plants from both weather and animals.

And here’s something you might not have thought of: make sure your bed is at least two feet tall.

This height works well to keep smaller animals out and also saves your back—no more bending over every time you want to check on your plants!

Plastic Mesh or Garden Netting

For protecting plants from birds or smaller critters, plastic mesh or garden netting can work well.

It’s not as heavy-duty as some other options, but if secured properly, it can keep your plants safe with minimal effort.

Wire Fencing

Lastly, if you’re dealing with deer or larger animals, I’d suggest using welded wire fencing.

If you’re specifically worried about deer, check out our guide on how to build deer-proof raised garden beds.

Adding a slight outward curve at the top can also help prevent animals from climbing over.

Using these materials together can create a raised bed setup that’s tough to sneak into.

These methods have been proven effective by many gardeners, and I’d recommend giving them a try if critters are a constant problem in your garden.

Steps to Build a Critter-Proof Raised Garden Bed

Now that you have an idea of what to do or prepare, here is a general step-by-step guide to building a simple critter-proof raised bed.

This plan is a common and affordable design, but feel free to customize it based on your budget and preferences.

For now, let’s jump into how to build this one!

Step 1: Plan Where to Place Your Critter Proof Raised Bed

Before anything else, when you’re setting up your raised bed, take a moment to think about where it will be most effective.

For many gardeners, finding the right spot is half the battle.

You want your bed to get plenty of sunlight, but it also needs to be easily accessible for watering and maintenance.

It’s common to place a raised bed near the house or close to a water source.

I recommend positioning it on slightly higher ground, especially if you’re in an area where water tends to collect during rain.

Step 2: Decide on Which Material to Use 

After deciding on the location, the next step is choosing your materials.

Many people prefer building with wood, but you can also use other materials, like cinder blocks or metal, for a more modern look.

Either way, it’s important to ensure that the frame is durable.

Step 3: Build the Frame

Once you’ve chosen your location and materials, it’s time to assemble the frame.

If you’re using wood, measure and cut your boards to your desired length.

Most raised beds are around 4 feet wide and 6–8 feet long, but you can always adjust the dimensions based on your needs.

If you’re curious about the best sizes for different gardening needs, check out our guide on the best sizes for raised garden beds.

Once the pieces are cut, attach the corners using wood screws or nails. For extra stability, you can reinforce the corners with corner brackets.

If you decide to use cinder blocks, simply stack them into a rectangular shape. For me, this method is much quicker since there’s no cutting required.

A common tip is to make sure the frame is at least 18–24 inches high.

This height works well for most plants and, more importantly, makes it harder for animals to jump in.

Step 4: Line the Bottom with Wire Mesh

We all know one of the biggest frustrations gardeners face is dealing with burrowing critters.

That’s why lining the bottom of your bed with wire mesh has become standard advice.

To prevent this problem, it’s important to line the bottom of your raised bed with wire mesh.

I recommend using hardware cloth because it’s more durable and finer than chicken wire, which helps keep out smaller animals.

Here’s what to do: lay the mesh on the bottom of the bed and use wire cutters to trim it to fit.

Once it’s cut, secure the edges with a staple gun, or use wire ties if you’re working with cinder blocks.

Be sure to check for any gaps along the edges, as even small openings can let critters in.

Once the mesh is in place, you’ll feel confident that those underground invaders won’t be able to get through.

Step 5: Install a Cover

You know how frustrating it can be if you’ve ever had a bird or squirrel snatch your tomatoes or seedlings.

That’s why many gardeners recommend installing some sort of cover.

One easy option is to use PVC pipes to create a frame over the bed.

These pipes are flexible and easy to work with, making them a great choice for creating a simple arch.

Once the frame is in place, drape garden netting or mesh over it. Secure the netting with zip ties or clothespins to keep it tight and in place.

The mesh should be snug enough to prevent animals from sneaking underneath, but loose enough to allow your plants to grow freely.

Step 6: Add a Fence or Barrier (Optional!)

If you’re in an area where larger animals like deer or dogs might be a problem, adding a fence around your raised bed is a great idea.

First, make sure the fence is tall enough to keep out bigger animals.

A 3–4-foot-tall fence should be sufficient, but if you’re dealing with deer or other larger animals, you might want to make it even taller.

To ensure animals can’t dig under the fence, bury the bottom 6–8 inches into the soil.

This will stop them from tunneling underneath.

If you want to keep climbing critters out as well, consider angling the top of the fence outward, as I mentioned earlier. This will make it more difficult for raccoons or squirrels to scale.

It might sound like a bit of extra work, but trust me, it’s worth it to avoid a garden disaster.

Alternative Solutions to Keep Critters Out of Your Garden Beds

There are actually several natural methods you can use to prevent critters from invading your garden. Here are some of them:

Using Natural Repellents

Scent Deterrents

A great way to keep critters out is by using scents they dislike. Many animals, like rabbits, deer, and squirrels, can’t stand strong smells.

For example, garlic, chili powder, and peppermint oil are all scents that tend to send animals running.

You can sprinkle garlic powder or chili flakes around your garden, or mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water and spray it on plants and soil.

Predator Urine

This may sound a bit unusual, but predator urine (such as from foxes or coyotes) is a surprisingly effective repellent.

The scent of a predator in the area signals danger to animals like deer, rabbits, and raccoons, causing them to steer clear of your garden.

You can purchase predator urine at garden centers or online. It’s typically applied by sprinkling it around the perimeter of your raised bed or garden area.

Homemade Sprays

If you like to make things yourself, you can create a critter-repelling spray using garlic, onion, and cayenne pepper.

This combination works well because the strong smell and spice can deter animals.

To make the spray, blend a few garlic cloves, a small onion, and some cayenne pepper with water. Then strain the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle.

You can spray it around your garden or directly on the plants themselves.

Companion Planting

Did you know that some plants can actually help keep critters away?

If you do, then it’s time to apply this knowledge in your garden.

If not, I’ll give you even better examples.

For instance, planting marigolds near your vegetables (like tomatoes or cucumbers) can keep pests like aphids and nematodes away.

Herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme can also help keep insects, like mosquitoes, out of your garden with their strong scent.

Garlic and onions (which you might already be using) can also help keep critters away while adding flavor to your meals.

These are just some of the plants you can grow alongside others to keep critters out of your garden.

For a full list of plants that thrive in raised beds and can help you get the most out of your space, check out our guide on the best plants to grow in raised garden beds.

Clean Your Garden

Critters like to hide in clutter, so it’s important to clear away any debris, such as leaves, branches, or tall grass, that might provide them with a place to hide or build a nest.

A well-maintained garden with no hiding spots is much less inviting for animals to visit.

You should also regularly check for any burrows or nests around your garden.

If you spot any, seal them up—especially in the fall or early spring when animals are looking for warm, safe spots.

In the end…

Building a critter-proof raised garden does take some time and effort (but trust me, it’s worth it!).

The time you spend setting it up will save you a lot of frustration down the road.

Once you’ve got your barriers in place and everything is secure, you can finally sit back and enjoy your garden.

No more stressing about critters munching on your plants or digging them up.

With a critter-proof raised garden bed, you can grow the plants you’ve always wanted and, best of all, enjoy the fruits of your labor without constant worry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)