The Garden was Cleared-Now what? Our Fence Journey

Over the winter of 2023, I knew our first big spring project would be the garden—specifically, getting it fenced before planting anything. So I did what most people do: I scrolled Pinterest, saved dreamy garden inspo, and started hunting down fence options that wouldn’t blow our entire budget.

Why We Needed a Fence (Like, ASAP)

Growing and eventually living on a rural property has its perks—but also its wildlife. We’ve seen deer, birds, a bobcat, and even a bear on our land. So a sturdy garden fence wasn’t optional—it was essential. I wasn’t planting a single seed until we had some serious protection in place.

Fence Goals: Functional > Fancy

Here’s what we wanted from our fence setup:

• Tall enough to keep deer out
  We planned to leave enough space around the perimeter for tractors and four-wheelers, which meant deer would have a good running start. So height was non-negotiable.

• No electricity required
  Our property doesn’t have utilities yet, so an electric fence (even solar-powered) felt like too much of a hassle.

• Access with equipment
  We wanted large gates to bring in equipment easily—no squeezing through tiny spaces with a tractor, dump trailer of compost or rototiller attached to the tractor.

Pinterest vs. Reality

I’ll be honest—Pinterest wasn’t super helpful. The gardens were gorgeous, but most of the fences looked like they cost thousands upon thousands and probably took all summer to build. That wasn’t our path. I’d rather spend time and money on plants and fruit trees than on a picture-perfect fence.

First Attempt: Black Plastic Deer Fence

After a lot of searching, I landed on an 8-foot black plastic deer fence. I liked the idea of metal for durability, but for our 97' x 64' garden, again it would’ve cost thousands. So plastic it was.

We used T-posts and zip-tied the fence to each one. Honestly? It worked surprisingly well through the growing season. The black color blended nicely into the landscape—it wasn’t an eyesore at all.

Winter, though? A different story.
The wind tore it down in several places. It was disheartening to see all our hard work flapping in the breeze. So… back to the drawing board.

Round Two: Metal Livestock Panels (Kinda)

We found 4-foot tall metal livestock fencing online—affordable and sturdy. The idea was to stack two rows to create an 8-foot barrier. In theory, it was great.

In reality? Not so much.
The bottom half (with smaller mesh squares) stayed nice and tight. But the top section was a floppy mess. No matter how we pulled, strapped, or adjusted, it wouldn’t stay taut. And because we used T-posts (not concrete-set posts), we couldn’t get the tension we really needed.

Eventually, I gave up on “perfect” and aimed for “done.”

We ended up reusing the black plastic fence on the outside of the metal panels, hoping the metal would provide support and keep it from whipping in the wind again this winter.

DIY Gates: Simple & Affordable

For gates, I built two 10-foot-wide frames out of PVC pipe, then zip-tied the plastic fence to them. I made hinges using heavy-duty zip ties on one side—and it worked! The whole thing is light enough for me to move, and I built it solo. Major win.

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Final Thoughts

This garden fence wasn’t glamorous. It’s not going viral on Pinterest. But it got the job done with a blend of budget-friendliness, function, and lessons learned along the way. And that’s exactly the kind of homesteading I want to share here—realistic, resourceful, and honest.

Got questions about our setup or looking for DIY fence tips? Drop a comment or reach out—I’m always happy to share what worked (and what didn’t).