spacing thought

TightenUp · August 1, 2014

have a fence along eastern edge of property. plan on adding 2 3x16ft beds running north to south.

how much room between beds? how much room between bed and fences to walk? basically what dimensions should the fence be? thinking 12x20? make sense?

JamesL · August 1, 2014

How tall is the fence on the east exterior line?
I would go for 3 ft. walkways so you could run a wheelbarrow down them without issue.
2 1/2 ft. would be minimum no?

habitat_gardener · August 1, 2014

Will the beds be adjacent on the short end or the long side? I'd guess the main issue would be the fence height.

At one of the community gardens, the paths between some plots are excessively narrow, with hardly enough room to maneuver -- something like 15-18 inches! There's no leeway for overgrown plants, and barely enough room to get by if the beds on both sides are fully planted (but as in most community gardens around here, that's not often a problem because the space is paid for but not used). It's much easier to plant and harvest where the beds are 2.5-3 ft. apart.

I've tried configurations in my own plots where I maximized growing space and minimized path space, and in the end, that turned out to be a false economy. It was too difficult to get hoses through the jungle, and picking tomatoes was like playing the game Twister.

Salsacharley · August 1, 2014

I don't know if I am understanding your plan, but here's my take on what I think you are considering.

If your 12 x 20 ft dimensions are for a fence around your two 3 x 16 ft beds inside your eastern fence it will leave you only 2 feet on the ends and 3 ft isles lengthwise if the beds are side-by-side as opposed to end to end. Your 3 ft isles would probably be good, but only 2 feet on the ends will be tight as mentioned above.

Also, your bed next to the east fence will be in morning shade until the sun clears the fence (assuming the fence is made of solid material). Depending on how high that east fence is, your bed will be in shade since it is only 3 ft from the east fence.

Charley

Quote:

Originally Posted by TightenUp

have a fence along eastern edge of property. plan on adding 2 3x16ft beds running north to south.

how much room between beds? how much room between bed and fences to walk? basically what dimensions should the fence be? thinking 12x20? make sense?

TightenUp · August 1, 2014

Sounds like 2.5-3 feet spacing is better than the 2 i was thinking of going with. space for a wheel barrow is a good idea too.

next question is minimum fence height to keep deer out?

easttx_hippie · August 3, 2014

minimum fence height to keep deer out?

Around here I'd start with ten feet. Anything shorter they can clear from a stop. Give them a running start and they can almost fly.

kath · August 3, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by TightenUp

Sounds like 2.5-3 feet spacing is better than the 2 i was thinking of going with. space for a wheel barrow is a good idea too.

next question is minimum fence height to keep deer out?

We have deer browsing along the exterior of our now 60' x 60' see-through fence daily. It is only 7' tall and they have never jumped it in the 18 yrs. it's been there. I've read that they are less likely to jump a solid fence because they can't see what's on the other side and that they are also less likely to jump into a small space. Jm2c.

greyghost · August 4, 2014

Jeff,
Take a look at a thread started by RebelRidin in this same forum--scroll way down--called Raised Bed Garden Conversion, especially the later photos.
Photos take you through the whole process; his final garden of beds is
absolutely beautiful! Maybe you'll find some design ideas that will be useful.

I have a 4' fence that kept deer out for years. In the last couple of years, I
extended it by using zip ties that hold 1" x 1" stakes to the t-posts. I cut strips
of deer fencing 3" wide and secured to the extensions with more zip ties. The
strip also runs across the top of the gate. It's kept them out--so far.

My neighbor does basically the same thing but uses electric fencing at the top
with great success. Sometimes, we divide a pasture with electric wire and
the horse is terrified of it. However, deer have taken it down several times
(I know it's not the horse as he rotates between pastures and hasn't been in
there when the damage happens). I'm a little afraid to rely on a couple of electric strands to keep the deer out.

Darlene

joseph · August 4, 2014

'Deer fences' as we call them around here are 8 feet tall woven wire. They are designed to contain mule deer, antelope, elk, and moose. Our mule deer bound right over 6 foot tall chain link fences.

August 1, 2014	#1
TightenUp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jersey Posts: 1,183	spacing thought have a fence along eastern edge of property. plan on adding 2 3x16ft beds running north to south. how much room between beds? how much room between bed and fences to walk? basically what dimensions should the fence be? thinking 12x20? make sense? __________________

August 1, 2014	#5
TightenUp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jersey Posts: 1,183	Sounds like 2.5-3 feet spacing is better than the 2 i was thinking of going with. space for a wheel barrow is a good idea too. next question is minimum fence height to keep deer out? __________________

August 1, 2014	#2
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	How tall is the fence on the east exterior line? I would go for 3 ft. walkways so you could run a wheelbarrow down them without issue. 2 1/2 ft. would be minimum no?

August 1, 2014	#3
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,540	Will the beds be adjacent on the short end or the long side? I'd guess the main issue would be the fence height. At one of the community gardens, the paths between some plots are excessively narrow, with hardly enough room to maneuver -- something like 15-18 inches! There's no leeway for overgrown plants, and barely enough room to get by if the beds on both sides are fully planted (but as in most community gardens around here, that's not often a problem because the space is paid for but not used). It's much easier to plant and harvest where the beds are 2.5-3 ft. apart. I've tried configurations in my own plots where I maximized growing space and minimized path space, and in the end, that turned out to be a false economy. It was too difficult to get hoses through the jungle, and picking tomatoes was like playing the game Twister.

August 3, 2014	#6
easttx_hippie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Piney Wood Hills Posts: 423	minimum fence height to keep deer out? Around here I'd start with ten feet. Anything shorter they can clear from a stop. Give them a running start and they can almost fly.

August 4, 2014	#8
greyghost Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: southeastern PA Posts: 760	Jeff, Take a look at a thread started by RebelRidin in this same forum--scroll way down--called Raised Bed Garden Conversion, especially the later photos. Photos take you through the whole process; his final garden of beds is absolutely beautiful! Maybe you'll find some design ideas that will be useful. I have a 4' fence that kept deer out for years. In the last couple of years, I extended it by using zip ties that hold 1" x 1" stakes to the t-posts. I cut strips of deer fencing 3" wide and secured to the extensions with more zip ties. The strip also runs across the top of the gate. It's kept them out--so far. My neighbor does basically the same thing but uses electric fencing at the top with great success. Sometimes, we divide a pasture with electric wire and the horse is terrified of it. However, deer have taken it down several times (I know it's not the horse as he rotates between pastures and hasn't been in there when the damage happens). I'm a little afraid to rely on a couple of electric strands to keep the deer out. Darlene

August 4, 2014	#9
joseph Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cache Valley, N/E of The Great Salt Lake Posts: 1,244	'Deer fences' as we call them around here are 8 feet tall woven wire. They are designed to contain mule deer, antelope, elk, and moose. Our mule deer bound right over 6 foot tall chain link fences.