How to Install Wire Deer Fencing

Deer fencing is the easiest and most animal-friendly way to keep deer away from your vegetable garden. Follow these steps to install wire deer fencing.

Step 1 - Decide Where to Place the Fence

Use established trees as a way to hide the wire deer fencing. Wire fencing, although necessary to protect your garden, can be a bit of an eye sore. If you strategically place the fence around already established trees, you can use nature to hide some of the wire.

Trees, if they're large enough, can act as another deer deterrent. Deer sometimes jump and can scale even a high fence. Trees make the jump appear more daunting. Tall trees can also be used in place of posts if you don't mind slightly injuring the tree to attach the fencing to it.

Measure the area where you'd like the fence. Take this information to your nearest home hardware store to figure out precisely how many posts, how many feet of eight-foot fencing, how many feet of fence wire, and other materials you'll need. Spend a little extra money on quality wire fencing. Choose something that's UV-proof, corrosion-proof and sturdy. The fence will look better and last longer, making the extra money spent a wise investment.

Step 2 - Dig the Posts

Use a pole digger, either manual or automatic, to dig a hole for each post. Posts should go six feet apart and four feet into the ground so they rise eight-feet above the ground. You can use wood or metal posts. Wood posts may blend better into a woodsy background, but metal posts won't ever get damaged by termites or carpenter ants, both common in the outdoors. The decision is yours based on your needs. Pack the ground around each post tightly. This should be enough to hold the wire securely.

Step 3 - Clear Low-lying Brush

Clear away any bushes, long grass or any other natural debris away from where the fence will be directly put. You only need to clear enough ground to allow the fence to lay flat and not be warped by low-lying brush. Leave any other debris to keep that natural look. Dig a narrow half-inch to one-inch deep trench where the bottom of the fence will sit so it sits directly on the ground.

Step 4 - Install the Fence

Wrap one end of the roll of deer fence around one of the posts. Attach the fence to the post using wire or heavy-duty plastic zip ties. Continue unrolling the fence and wrapping each section around the poles and trees around the perimeter of the vegetable garden to be protected. When attaching the fence to the posts, tie the wire or plastic in three to four inch sections.

Once all the fencing is installed, make sure it doesn't contain twists, gaps or buckles. Fix any by adjusting the ties.

Step 5 - Tack Down the Bottom

With hammer, tack down hooked ground stakes every five feet to help with any sagging or movement over time.

Step 6 - Create White Warning Strips

Cut the heavy-duty white garbage bags into two-inch strips. Tie to the fence at four feet from the bottom and ten feet apart. This will warn the deer and reduce the chance of any running into the fence and hurting themselves.