Fencing Garden w/ Tractor Access

[TheSpoon]

Looking for ideas for fencing a "large" garden.

We whipped up a semi-temporary 50'x40' garden and surrounded it with 6' field fencing w/ T-posts since we have plenty of deer (and other garden-eating wildlife on our 10 acres). Our only access was through a 4' opening between the posts where we just rolled the fencing back and secured with clips when we weren't out there. I hadn't needed tractor access prior since I broke up the ground and tilled prior to putting up the fence. However, since the garden was a success this year, we're looking to build on it, which includes using the tractor (LS XR4046) for more of the tasks, tilling/weeding especially. So I'm curious what others do to have "easy" tractor access to their garden, while still keeping animals out?

Reference:

 

[Gunny]

I don't know how it would work with the fence you have, but I use electric fence and set it up so that the ends can be detached from the sides of the garden and laid back over to the side. That lets me till through front to back, then I just haul the fence back and hook it up.

 

[KennyG]

In your last picture it looks like you have some "fence panels". For this application, I think I would just space a couple of posts for a panel and wire that in place. A swinging gate is too much work.

 

[Mendonsy]

I used one of the gates fromTSC for my wife's garden and made a wooden walkway gate.

 

[Stimw]

I have 40' X 100' garden AND Deer.
I had some old chainlink gates that I put on the end of the side.
I didn't put them on the end because of having horses in the pasture.
I can get in with my 3510 Branson but when it's time to change crops other crops growing are in the way.
And I loose about 10' at the end for room to maneuver.
I have an old Crapsman Garden tractor and was just today looking at how I can mount an old tiller to the back of it so I can get in around other still growing crops. ???

 

[TheSpoon]

I don't know how it would work with the fence you have, but I use electric fence and set it up so that the ends can be detached from the sides of the garden and laid back over to the side. That lets me till through front to back, then I just haul the fence back and hook it up.

I might have to think about that after the garden gets moved. Going with a narrower, longer garden (say 20'x100') I could make 2 runs front to back and not lose any space in the garden turning around. This space lost has been my "big" concern.

 

[TheSpoon]

In your last picture it looks like you have some "fence panels". For this application, I think I would just space a couple of posts for a panel and wire that in place. A swinging gate is too much work.

I do have a few cattle panels, however, they are only 4' tall, and my concern is that the deer will attempt to jump over them (it's also what we use for our beans and other climbers in the garden) and still eat up everything. The 6' fence appears to have done the job in not allowing that this year.

 

[TheSpoon]

I have 40' X 100' garden AND Deer.
I had some old chainlink gates that I put on the end of the side.
I didn't put them on the end because of having horses in the pasture.
I can get in with my 3510 Branson but when it's time to change crops other crops growing are in the way.
And I loose about 10' at the end for room to maneuver.
I have an old Crapsman Garden tractor and was just today looking at how I can mount an old tiller to the back of it so I can get in around other still growing crops. ???

The "losing the space at the end to maneuver" is my concern and the current issue with the garden as to why I don't already own a tiller for the tractor. I used my neighbors walk-behind tiller this year, but would like to get away from asking him to borrow it 2 or 3 times a year (I don't like being dependant on others). We have a... craftsman garden tractor also that I purchased last year that I could see about getting a tiller for also if it comes to it, but I'd get a lot more use out of one for my LS instead.

 

[TractorGuy]

I am planning to start a garden next year. I was thinking about using the plastic post for electric fence and just do a few strands of hot wire around it. I could easily pull a post or two and make and opening for the tractor.

Step-In Poly Fence Post, 48 in. - For Life Out Here

 

[CobyRupert]

I might have to think about that after the garden gets moved. Going with a narrower, longer garden (say 20'x100') I could make 2 runs front to back and not lose any space in the garden turning around. This space lost has been my "big" concern.

Comparing size of garden to size of tractor I don't see how you can turn around (or weed). Seems like if you want to till with your tractor, make the area rectangular like you mention, with one of the short sides of the fence (and posts) easily removable.

 

[kevin37b]

Set up a food plot so they stay out of the garden ?

 

[TheSpoon]

Set up a food plot so they stay out of the garden ?

I'm a hunter, so there are plans for a food plot or 2, but not near the garden. We are planning a small orchard in the general area also, so there week be a more accessible for source for them, but I've seen as many as 12 doe/fawn at one time so I don't think leaving the garden unprotected would be a possibility. Time will tell though I suppose.

 

[kenacp]

The deer in my area laugh at a 6" fence. I had to add two strands of barb wire on top to finally keep them out.

 

[beowulf]

I doubt a 6 foot fence will keep deer out. But if 6' will do it, then regarding a gate, use a fence panel hung as high as the rest of the fence - put in a couple of wood posts with heavy duty eye hooks and hang it on those- easy to lift off for access. The span will have to be reduced a bit though - wide enough for a tractor and short enough to be able to hang a cut down panel. May also be able to add a rebar at the top of the panel to stiffen it a bit.

 

[bcp]

I read about a gardener who kept out deer with a 4ft fence. He added sticks, at about 2ft intervals, that went up to about 7 feet. This fooled the deer who could have jumped between but didn't.

Like the red lines on this panel.



Bruce

 

[Mendonsy]

The deer in my area laugh at a 6" fence. I had to add two strands of barb wire on top to finally keep them out.

YEP! That's why all my fence has electric around the top. I have found that once the deer get zapped by that white tape they never go near it again. I can even put up the white tape without electric in some cases and get away with it.

 

[CCWKen]

Solve your problem by getting a walk-behind tiller. People around here would laugh at you for trying to take a tractor into a small garden. The exercise will do you good too.

 

[oldballs]

Solve your problem by getting a walk-behind tiller. People around here would laugh at you for trying to take a tractor into a small garden. The exercise will do you good too.

Ditto here. My garden layout was based on a walk behind tiller in a 50 x 100 plot. When I moved up to a CUT tractor with implements, I had to remove one end of the fence each season in order to work it with the Kubota. That really is a PITA but works for me since that chore is easier than using the walk behind tiller. Gardening with a "tractor" introduces all kinds of complications however.

P.S. I'll be 84 yo in a couple weeks..........is that an excuse to play with my Kubota in the dirt.

The first picture shows tilling with the walk behind.....the second one shows learning with the Kubota.:confused2:

 

[Gary Fowler]

I used one of the gates fromTSC for my wife's garden and made a wooden walkway gate.
View attachment 487915

I did the same thing using a 16 foot tubular gate and attached net wire fencing to it. I first put in a 4 foot wide wooden gate for access but now that I put in the 16 foot gate, I don't use the man gate.
It all depends on how much you want to spend to have a gate.

 

[TheSpoon]

Solve your problem by getting a walk-behind tiller. People around here would laugh at you for trying to take a tractor into a small garden. The exercise will do you good too.

We've discussed it, however, I think in the long run having the tiller will be more useful. Outside of the yearly garden work (which could expand once my kids enter school), there are a few food plots I want to do, and our front lawn needs to be torn up, leveled and restarted (about an acre).