Deer Proof Raised Garden Bed – Free DIY Plans

If you want to learn more about how to build a deer proof garden bed you have to take a close look over the free plans in the article. If you live in wilderness, a deer proof raised garden bed is necessary, so you can protect the vegetables. The garden bed in enclosed with hard mesh netting, so the plans can get a lot of natural light but be still protected from the predators. This garden bed is super easy to build, but it features a sturdy structure and a neat appearance. More furniture plans HERE.

If you want to get the job done in a professional manner, we recommend you to plan everything with attention, as to prevent costly mistakes and to build a professional garden bench. Invest in high quality materials, such as cedar, pine or redwood, as the structure will be exposed to all kinds of weather. Apply a few coats of paint over the components, to enhance their appearance and to protect them from bad weather.

Deer Proof Raised Garden Bed – Free DIY Plans

Building a deer proof garden bed

Materials

• 1 – 6 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 94 1/2″ long BASE
• 2 – 6 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 50 1/2″ long BASE
• 3 – 6 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 60″ long POSTS
• 4 – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 96″ long, 2 pieces – 46 1/2″ long TOP
• 5 – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 42″ long, 2 pieces – 37″ long, 1 piece – 53 3/4″ long 4xDOOR

• 6 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 6′
• 6 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 6′
• 6 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8′
• 3 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8′
• 11 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8′
• 50 pieces of 1 5/8″ screws
• 200 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
• 200 pieces of 3 1/2″ screws
• wood glue, stain/paint
• 8 pieces of hinges
• 4 pieces of latch

Tools

• Hammer, Tape measure, Carpentry square
• Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander, Router
• Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses, Respiratory Mask

Time

• One day

STEP 1:

Building the frames

The first step of the project is to build the raised garden bed. Therefore, assemble the frames using 2×6 lumber. Drill pilot holes and insert 3 1/2″ screws to assemble the frames. Align the edges flush and check if the corners are square.

STEP 2:

Building the posts

Build the posts from 4×4 lumber. Make notches to the top of the 4 posts, as shown in the diagram. Set the saw at 3/4″ and then make parallel cuts inside the marked areas. Remove the excess material with a hammer and clean the recess with a chisel.

Raised garden bed

Fit the posts to the corners of the raised garden bed. Plumb the posts with a spirit level and leave no gaps between the frames. Drill pilot holes through the frames and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the posts.

STEP 3:

Fitting the top slats

Fit the 1×4 boards to the top of the posts. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock them to the posts. Use at least 2 screws for each joint.

STEP 4:

Fitting the mesh

Next, attach the hardware cloth to the exterior of the fencing. Staple the cloths to the posts every 6″. Make sure you use tin snips to cut the panels before attaching them into place tightly.

STEP 5:

Building the doors

Use 2×2 lumber for the door frame. Cut the components at the dimensions shown in the illustrations. Drill pilot holes through the top and bottom components and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the vertical posts. Use 2×2 lumber for the diagonal braces. Make the angle cuts and then fit them to the door frame. Make sure the corners are square. Attach the hardware cloth to the door frame and staple it into place.

STEP 6:

Fitting the doors

Fit the doors to the front and back of the raised garden bed. Use hinges to lock the doors to the posts. Use latches to keep the doors locked.

STEP 7:

DIY Deer Proof Raised Garden Bed Plans

I recommend you to check if the components are locked into place properly and structure is rigid enough. Make sure there are no protruding screws or sharp edges. Fill the holes with wood putty and then smooth the surface with sandpaper. You can adjust the size of the raised garden bed to suit your needs,

STEP 8:

Deer Proof Raised Garden Bed Plans

PRO TIP: Apply several coats of paint or stain over the components, in order to protect them from decay. Check out the rest of the project to learn more about building garden projects.

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