fencing on the cheap

[Elijah Gunn]

I'm going to start a big garden this year and will need to fence it off. There are lots of deer around so I need to protect it. As usual not much money to work with. Been looking around the web to try and get some ideas but not having much luck. One idea I had was to try and get some used utility poles to use as fenceposts( at least for the corners) but then I found out about all the chemicals they are treated with so I probably dont want to use them now.
I know deer can jump up to 8ft. but my neighbors aren't having too much loss from them,and their garden fencing is around 4ft. I'd like to be at at least 6ft. because my place is closest to the woods where the the deer live. Another tactic my neighbors use is to plant things that the deer are not that interested in. I will also do that. I do not want to use repellants because I want to be able to shoot and eat some of these deer.So, I want them around... just stay out of the garden!
I haven't measured it but it is probably 30x60ft. My basic idea to fence it has been...
1.do my own labor.
2.find cheap(but durable) material to use for posts.
3.get used woven wire ,or buy new.( 6ft. tall preferred.)
4.have the corner posts,and at the halfway points of all four sides have posts that are 8ft.tall so that in case the deer become a problem I can run some wire around the top and hopefully dissuade them.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Mark

[Graybeard]

Used cross ties are cheap. I have them at 50' intervals on my fences and use 6.5' metal t-posts at 10' intervals.

If you have cedars back in your woods you could make excellent posts from them. I did that for my fence that separates my yard from the orchard and used 10' 5/4" decking boards for the look I wanted there. If no cedars you could still cut saplings and use them but they won't last nearly as long as cedar. I'd not worry about the small amount of stuff that might still leach from a crosstie as long as they've been on the ground before being pulled up.

For fencing the cheapest stuff is likely the plastic netting stuff sold to keep deer out. It won't last forever but can be had in bright colors they will definitely see. You aren't gonna stop a deer with a 6' fence if it wants on the other side. Even an 8' is no sure stop to one if they want to be on the other side badly enough. Still if you get something that limits their vision of the other side and is higher than their head they are very reluctant to jump it.

[jvs]

Two things that I know works when it comes to hungry deer is Netting, which is available to cherry growers for birds, or a well-placed barking dog.  Deer won't mess with either one. 

A fence has to be about 10 feet high to prevent deer from jumping it.  One hunting season not long ago, I witnessed a deer jump a deer fence that was 10 feet high.  He didnt quite make it completely over the top and he tumbled to the other side, but he made it over.  Obviously deer raiding a garden aren't in a panic mode, but it is possible to scale high fences when they deem it necessary. 

Blood Meal from you local plant nursery may work also.  I know the smell of blood keeps rabbits out.

[montveil]

If you want to exclude der your fence will have to be 8 feet high.
I use an electric fence with excellent results.
You did not mention the gardens size as it makes a difference in costs

[Elijah Gunn]

Thanks for the replies. I will consider all, and keep looking,asking around. The kids have been wanting a dog,maybe go with a shorter fence and keep the dog near the garden.
 Regards, Mark

[jvs]

Put two 4x4x8 Posts about 50 feet apart (or as long as your garden).  Attach a heavy gauge wire to the top of both posts.  Attach your dog to the wire, with his coop somewhere along the length.  He will have a run and hopefully you will have a secure garden.

Deer usually avoid dogs and what the dog thinks is his territory.