Do you want to grow your own vegetables or create a private flower haven? Learning how to build an enclosed garden is a fantastic project that protects your plants and defines your space. This simple guide will walk you through the entire process, from planning to planting, in clear, manageable steps.
How To Build An Enclosed Garden
An enclosed garden, often called a fenced or walled garden, is simply a planting area surrounded by a barrier. This barrier can be a fence, trellis, hedge, or even a low wall. The enclosure serves many purposes: it keeps out pests like rabbits and deer, provides shelter from wind, adds privacy, and creates a beautiful, structured look for your yard.
Planning Your Enclosed Garden Space
Before you dig a single hole, some planning will save you time and effort. Start by choosing the right location. Most vegetables and flowers need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Watch your yard throughout the day to find the sunniest spot.
Next, consider the size. A good starter size is about 8 feet by 10 feet. This is large enough to grow a variety of plants but small enough to manage easily. Make sure you can reach the center from the sides to avoid stepping on your soil. Always check for underground utilities by calling 811 before you break ground.
Finally, think about access. You’ll need a gate or an opening wide enough for a wheelbarrow. Plan where it will go and how you will secure it.
Materials and Tools You’ll Need
Gathering your materials upfront makes the project smoother. The exact list depends on your chosen enclosure type, but here’s a general list.
- For the Enclosure: Fence panels and posts, wooden boards and stakes, wire mesh, or pre-made trellis panels.
- For the Gate: Hinges, a latch, and gate hardware.
- For Garden Beds (Optional): Lumber for raised beds (use untreated cedar or redwood for longevity), screws, corner brackets.
- Tools: Post hole digger, shovel, level, tape measure, drill, saw, hammer, staple gun (for wire mesh), work gloves, safety glasses.
- For Soil: Topsoil, compost, mulch.
Step 1: Preparing the Ground
Clear the area of any grass, weeds, or debris. You can do this by manually digging it up, using a sod cutter, or smothering it with cardboard for several weeks. Once cleared, loosen the soil with a shovel or a tiller to a depth of about 12 inches. This helps roots grow deeply and improves drainage.
If you’re building raised beds, you can skip the deep tilling and simply level the ground where the beds will sit. This is a great option if your native soil is poor or rocky.
Step 2: Installing the Enclosure
This is the core of the project. We’ll focus on a simple wooden post-and-board fence, a very common and effective choice.
Setting the Corner Posts
Start by marking the corners of your garden with stakes and string. Dig your corner post holes. They should be about 2 feet deep for a 6-foot tall post, ensuring stability. Place the post in the hole, use a level to make sure it’s perfectly vertical, and then temporarily brace it with scrap wood.
Adding Line Posts and Boards
Set intermediate posts every 6 to 8 feet along the string line. Once all posts are set and braced, mix and pour concrete into the holes. Let it cure for at least 24-48 hours as per the instructions. After the concrete is set, attach your horizontal boards or wire mesh to the posts using screws or a staple gun.
Building and Hanging the Gate
Construct a simple rectangular gate frame to fit your opening. Add a diagonal brace for support to prevent sagging. Attach your chosen gate material (like boards or mesh) to the frame. Finally, hang the gate using sturdy hinges and install a reliable latch.
Step 3: Creating the Planting Beds
Inside your new enclosure, you can plant directly in the ground or build raised beds. Raised beds warm up faster in spring and offer excellent drainage. To build them, construct simple rectangular frames from your lumber and secure the corners. Place them in your desired layout, leaving paths between them.
Fill your beds with a high-quality soil mix. A classic recipe is one-third topsoil, one-third compost, and one-third peat moss or coconut coir. This creates a nutrient-rich, fluffy soil that plants love. Don’t forget to water the soil thoroughly before you plant to settle it.
Step 4: Choosing and Planting
Now for the fun part! Choose plants suited to your sunlight conditions. For a sunny garden, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers are great. For shadier spots, try lettuce, spinach, or impatiens. Read plant tags for spacing requirements.
Arrange taller plants (like corn or pole beans) on the north side so they don’t shade shorter plants. Follow planting depth instructions on seed packets or plant pots. Gently water each plant in after placing it in the ground.
Step 5: Adding Finishing Touches
Spread a 2-3 inch layer of mulch, like wood chips or straw, around your plants. This supresses weeds, retains moisture, and regulates soil temperature. Install a simple watering system, like a soaker hose, to make irrigation easy. You can also add a bench, a small tool shed, or decorative elements like a bird bath to make the space your own.
Maintaining Your Enclosed Garden
Regular care keeps your garden thriving. Water deeply once or twice a week, rather than a little every day, to encourage deep roots. Check for pests regularly; your enclosure keeps out large animals, but insects can still be a issue. Hand-pick them or use organic solutions like neem oil.
Weed frequently when weeds are small. Feed your plants with an organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. And remember to harvest vegetables regularly to encourage more production.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Poor Sun Assessment: Not checking the sunlight pattern before building.
- Skimping on Post Depth: Setting fence posts too shallow, leading to a wobbly fence.
- Using Treated Wood: Using chemically-treated lumber for raised beds, which can leach into soil. Always use safe, rot-resistant wood.
- Overcrowding Plants: Ignoring spacing recommendations, which leads to competition and disease.
- Forgetting the Gate Latch: A gate that won’t stay closed is frustrating, especially if you have pets.
FAQ Section
What is the cheapest way to build a enclosed garden?
Using wire mesh or chicken wire attached to wooden stakes is very cost-effective. For a more natural look, planting a dense, thorny hedge like hawthorn can be a low-cost, long-term solution.
How tall should a garden enclosure be?
For deer, a fence needs to be at least 8 feet tall. For rabbits, 2-3 feet is sufficient if it’s also buried a few inches. For general privacy and wind protection, 5-6 feet is a common and effective height.
Can I build an enclosed garden on a slope?
Yes, but it requires extra planning. You’ll need to step your fence or build terraced raised beds to create level planting areas. This ensures water and soil don’t just run downhill.
Do I need to line my raised garden beds?
It’s not strictly necessary, but lining the bottom with hardware cloth can deter burrowing pests like gophers. Avoid using plastic liners, as they impede drainage and can cause root rot.
What are some good climbing plants for a garden enclosure?
If you use a trellis as part of your enclosure, consider growing climbing plants like pole beans, peas, cucumbers, morning glories, or clematis. They add beauty and maximize your growing space.
Building an enclosed garden is a rewarding project that pays off for seasons to come. With careful planning, basic tools, and these step-by-step instructions, you can create a beautiful and productive sanctuary in your own backyard. Take your time, enjoy the process, and soon you’ll be enjoying the fresh produce and serene beauty of your personal garden room.