How to Perfectly Pest-Proof a Raised Bed

If you're dealing with digging pests like moles, voles, gophers, or rummaging pests like skunks and raccoons, or even birds and insects, we've got you covered. Join @jacquesinthegarden and I as we show you how to perfectly pest-proof the bottom of your bed, and build a frame to hold any time of top cover to your bed, like shade cloth, bird or insect netting, or frost cloth.
00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Leveling Soil
01:36 - Landscape Fabric
02:50 - Hardware Cloth
03:21 - Cardboard
04:44 - Top Frame
08:54 - Filling Bed With Soil
IN THIS VIDEO
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[@BensMusicDojo]

As a hillbilly who built his raised beds for free with large stones gathered from my property, I absolutely love Kevin’s methods for gardening with no expense spared!

[@gzartuche]

Started shopping the woods for stick that can be used for plants support and stakes

[@epicgardening]

Love that! We have some really interesting lower-cost tours coming up soon on the channel too :)

[@princesspink143]

I'd love to see your rock raised beds

[@mathgasm8484]

Good idea. I have 12.5 acres with lots of rocks.

[@hillbillyhullabaloo]

You sound like me 😂

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Personally this is too hard of labor and work for me. Totes are cheap and stop all kinds of critters, AND Here I started using Tulle, many years ago I found it at the fabric store analyzed it and knew it would work. Bird netting can kill birds, I found tulle the very very best, and SO CHEAP, and works great, cost next to nothing. Nice Video. 🙂

[@epicgardening]

Nothing wrong w/ that approach guys!

[@BritInvLvr]

And tulle is so fancy too! 😊

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

@@BritInvLvr I love it!!!

[@IntegrityandKarma]

Totes? Can you explain? I just bought sonic posts for voles 😬

[@pandorasgarden3369]

IntegrityandKarma anything mesh material.

[@juliemclaren2981]

The main (above ground) pests in my garden beds are deer, raccoons, rabbits, opossums, rats and mice. A more in-depth video on how to construct something to exclude these from the beds but still allow easy access would be very much appreciated. I don’t have the Birdies beds yet but ones constructed from wood planks and the concrete block corners sold at HD that you slide the planks into, which means there aren’t true “corners” to the beds (difficult to describe but if you know these blocks, you’ll understand). Many thanks for your great videos, I’m always learning something new from them.

[@09echols]

For digging pests I put garden stakes every couple of inches through the weed cloth.

[@rajillustration]

I had like 4 tomatoes eaten by voles a year back before we staple gunned metal mesh to the bottom of our raised bed--it was the only thing that worked. It's amazing how much food those little tiny voles will eat! XD

[@andreaworld4408]

I’m feeling very thankful I don’t need to worry about the ground digging pests you mentioned here in Queensland Australia. My garden pests are a few grubs, bugs, birds, and an occasional possum or rat, but mostly just ensuring my cat doesn’t treat the raised bed like a litter box. Looking forward to building a frame for some shade cloth.

[@kjrchannel1480]

I once had a inherited cat use a house plant for a litter box. I didn't see it in the act, but when you see potting soil out of the planter and soem piled up in the planter with buried evidence you know.

[@willsolarski8550]

Stapling hardware cloth to the bottom of my raised beds is literally what I did and it worked like a charm against the voles we have up here.

[@lgarden7086]

I added it to mine this year🤞the voles did a # on my root vegetables last year so I’m hoping this will work.

[@amybyte824]

Hardware cloth does contain lead in it, when I found this out I took it out of my raised bed over concrete and opted for a wood base to hold the soil in.

[@catherinefrasier4051]

I'm getting ready to set up my birdies. Your video is perfect timing. I couldn't decide how to put the layers down. Now I know exactly what to do. Thanks so much for all of your help!

[@pandabear797]

Just upgraded to these beds this planting season and love this framing idea just simply for the shade cloth. Thanks for sharing! :)

[@deans2790]

Perfect timing on this video! I just ordered my first ever Birdies raised bed from you this week!

[@redhandspunhandwoven6512]

Love this! I don't often get much from gardening videos after all these years, but this explanation re: setting up the frame is great & I have been passing the link around to those I have convinced to go with the metal beds. Of course, this will also work for wooden beds.

[@missu939]

OMG you literally did this video days after I put up my raised birdie beds. I searched all over your site and even reached out via email on your shopepicgardening site for instruction. I know it's probably just a coincidence, but seeing this up only days after I inquired makes me feel like you and your staff are really listening to the needs of your followers. Thank you so much for this video! Although I didn't get a chance to view it before my attempt, at least now I know I did it correctly (for the most part). I just didn't install the weed barrier, and probably should have tried to level a bit better. But hey I'm a beginner and you learn from your mistakes (LOL). I'm just thankful to see a step-by-step to keep those nasty gophers out of my beds, as they've taken over my entire back yard :(

[@stianbogevik3805]

"Deer and other flying pests" -Love it

[@jpv6060]

Looks good! Creative yet practical. Happy Gardening!

[@Brookeloun]

Asparagus has 10 ft plus roots. Don't use landscape fabric. Use cardboard

[@jessc4344]

Why shouldn't you use landscape fabric? Wouldn't the roots be able to pass through if needed? Or is it another reason?

[@PrincessTS01]

the hardware clother center overlap may still have the intrusion of gophers, saw them get through in a video from the next level garden homestead, i think the mesh overlap needs to be tied with a wire in a tight connection to prevent it be more aggressive with overlap and wire it up

[@moorechains]

Yep, or stake the overlapping sections like you do the landscape fabric

[@carolann1906]

Thank you. My Birdie project will be done right after seeing this video Kevin. I can't wait. Our Michigan weather is turning a weeeee bit better, so maybe this weekend 😊🌱🌱🌱

[@lynnlovessoil]

Working on installing my maker kit now. You guys make it look easy. It is easier with 2 people, but there is a learning curve.

[@FairyFrequency]

Awesome tips and tricks for raised bed gardening! Planning on implementing these techniques in our gardens this year ♡

[@toniasgarden3550]

I loved this video! It has given me more ideas and learning how to use the conduit with the brackets is very helpful!

[@johncaswell2648]

With 4 dogs and 6 foot privacy fence all around, I don't have to worry too much about most pests, because they're scared off by the dog's scent, so I just need to deal with cabbage whites. I'm putting everything they might want to go for as well as other things that don't need to be pollinated into the same bed so I can just make hoop covers with rebar and pvc pipe and bug nets since I don't have to worry about bees getting in to pollinate.

[@stormyweather8798]

I got no pollen and I hsve no bug net. We r getting very short on bees.

[@johncaswell2648]

@@stormyweather8798 If it wasn't clear from my initial description, nothing that goes under the bug net flowers anyway. Things like kale, brussel sprouts, carrots, asparagus, that don't produce fruit. I *want* the bees (or, more likely the case in my area, burrowing wasps) to be able to get at the flowering plants, which is why they're in other beds that don't get a net.

[@MaryJohanna]

I had the cabbage whites last season, thanks for the tip. I had read that they are territorial and won't go when they see other whites so I cut out some shaped white paper but still had some, maybe i cut out more and a little bigger but will apply your idea as well

[@JonShep93]

This frame is genius, definitely adopting when I put my next 4 beds in!

[@rockyusa2012]

Fantastic video Kevin and Jacques. Thanks so much. I was searching for a way to protect my metal beds from the squirrels groundhogs and chipmunks that climb on them. Love the conduit kit you showed. I will definitely build my frame for this year's garden. 👏👏👏

[@SowGrowandSustain]

Great information, love the idea! I installed the half inch mesh in the bottom of my asparagus bed and I’m regretting it. The roots didn’t grow down as far as I would have liked because of the mesh. I think it would be great for other kinds of vegetables but I prefer not to do it with my asparagus bed. Hopefully you have better luck!

[@lemonyskunkketts7781]

Using the shade cloth is a must for super hot grow zones.

[@des8265]

I follow you on ig and i came here to ask. please make more indoor plant content, my grandma passed away from cancer recently and she was a very proud plant mom. She’s had a golden pothos for 30 years! It’s older than me haha! I want to continue to take care of her plants and the replace the ones that died off during her sickness. She has an amaryllis, an aloe vera, and some bamboo that managed to stay alive. Your videos are very informative and joyful to watch. I want my own garden one day and it’s inspiring to watch you create and build, but one step at a time ❤️

[@star-b-qpodcast54]

Ahhhhh!!! This is the video I needed TODAY and here it is! Thank you!

[@diazgrows9165]

Appreciate the process you've shared. Great vid. Thank you!

[@Arcticstar0]

I need this video. Had a bush turkey dig out a foot of dirt with most of my plants a few weeks ago. It was one of those 78cm raised beds. Lost a bunch of my seedlings, but managed to save the tomato I over-wintered. There were many tears shed that day.

[@Carmen-ok]

Awesome prep work and set up. Built to last 😀

[@lenam2114]

I love the beautiful wall in the background

[@gregbishop4145]

Loving this. I’ve been trying to preplan for next winter to prepare against frost here in Florida.

[@thomasmcgraw6629]

Perfect timing. Need to install my Birdies beds.

[@freedomthroughspirit]

Hoping I find a part 2 to this video (I'll hunt through more) to see how you secure the top, how to get in and out of it for plant care and watering, etc. Thanks.

[@alyxschwarz1030]

I'm looking for this too!

[@ramonalvarado9503]

Excellent video... thanks ... I am enjoying my 4 Birdy Beds I got from you..thanks.

[@bradmaas6875]

My .02, I would have put the hardware cloth down first, that way it keeps the chewers from getting to the cardboard and the weed cloth. I also used 1/2" PVC, heat formed, zip ties and netting on the top. Nice back wall

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Cool! This was really helpful and it think it would deter deer for sure and maybe even the chipmunks who seem to like devouring my garden. Thank for sharing!

[@grammaellen4984]

I use 2 layers of chicken wire on the bottom, a layer of weed fabric & 4 or 5 layers of cardboard. I do use Hugelkultur (sp) so my beds all start with logs & limbs then dead plants, weeds etc. grass clippings, then old potting soil etc. My problem is that although I can protect the bottom & put shade cloth or fabric over the top it seems that my major problem is wind. Many of my plants don't make it through the winds that we have in the Southeast panhandle of WV. I have tried a variety of things but many of the plants are not strong enough although they have been grown in my greenhouse with a fan on them from the beginning. If they make it initially they usually acclimate but its hard to get them strong enough to withstand the winds.

[@beybslifeintheus494]

Beautiful garden

[@oreettroll]

The MakerPipe stuff is great. I used some of their brackets to make a trellis tunnel spanning the walkway between 2 of my raised beds. This year I'm probably going to build a second one.

[@ROCKIN40]

Best I've found that lasts is ultra fine insect mesh or screen. Be sure to read reviews when shopping, check if it tears or shreds. Get the polyethylene comes in black or white.

[@susanc-c7817]

excellent information

[@mdgraller]

6:40 devastating combo; match made in heaven!

[@TnT_F0X]

I need to set up a greenhouse real soon, gonna do a 1' perimeter of hardware cloth in ground around it to keep pests out. Strawberries starting to flower, only another 6 weeks and pests will be after my fruits!

[@gemgenie06]

We have done this same idea this year but with different materials. Rather than metal poles we used the plastic coated Metal rods that come in a selection of lengths meaning it wont rust out as theres no metal making contact with moisture but it still retains rigidity they also have a sligtly rirged texture along the poles so it easy to string out additional lines for climbers. Then on the corners we have used "Build-a balls" which the rods simply slot into but they also have the benefit of creating a smooth corner so whatever covering material you use to cover with wont snag. Ours are currently covered with bird netting as we were having issues with blackbirds and starlings coming down and digging about in the areas i just sowed seed into and also with a local cat who decided my salad bed would make a great litter box :( Not any more kitty!! The 2m lengths have made an easy fruit cage and the shorter ones I have attached a willow concertina trellis as the back wall to grow peas up.

[@DevinTheGardener]

Love the content! Learned so much from you

[@heronhouse2018]

Your mural looks great! 🌞🌈🌻

[@debihediger4760]

Way to go guys, a lot of good information! Again thank you and I’m loving my for sale seed starting trays I am going to use them in fall as well I got them too late to do much for the summer.

[@debihediger4760]

For seed cell

[@Savage3OO6]

You need 1/4" hardware cloth for voles, the 1/2" will just make them chuckle manically as they gorge themselves on your sweet potatoes.

[@chrisvanderwoerd9932]

Thanks for the great tip on electrical conduit! I've been using pvc pipe, but it's a bit flimsy for my tomato trellises.

[@Vaerosi]

My raised beds are set up almost identically to this, even with the hardware cloth underneath because we have a mole problem around here. I bought PVC to build a cage like you did with the metal, but I'm wondering how best to add the cloth/wire to it, while still being able to easily access the bed. I was really looking forward to you explaining that in your video...but then it just ended. Help, haha!!

[@MyLoves]

I felt the same way! Step by step options for how to attach the shade cloth would be great!!

[@NaturallyUnbridled]

Helpful content. Thanks!

[@jackiehorsley9263]

that's a nice set

[@juliecolbourn8232]

Super interesting. Thanks

[@brittaniebrandt4390]

Please do a video on getting rid of Corn Borers!!!! I have such a terrible problem with them here in Oklahoma! And I love growing my own corn!

[@ISusanna]

Thanks for sharing.

[@kjrchannel1480]

I have used a quality weed fabric in tat way for one of my beds because I have bindweed that always thinks they have the invitation to crash the party. I however find no need for cardboard in that case. Since worms can't get in. I put some worms I find around the yard in it.

[@joemacias2360]

Fabric will prevent earthworms and may hinder drainage. Hardware cloth is all you need to keep out gophers and moles.

[@lindseywest422]

If I use hardware cloth around the frame (to keep out rats and opossums) using zip ties, how would I access the food in my garden beds?

[@dianeallred9288]

My son built a door frame for my purpose

[@pandorasgarden3369]

Aha just shot a couple of squirrels. Digging up my Japanese wisteria. Couldn’t time it better thanks Kevin!

[@stargazer5073]

We used ground cover and wire mesh on the bottom.

[@SharonNailedIt]

You guys are so great thanks

[@dleustice4130]

Mosquito netting works great as a cover during warm weather. In the fall, I switch to greenhouse plastic.

[@wondernutts]

You are geniuses!!!

[@850beachmomrn]

I totally just did this! Exempt my order was different but same three layers! Yeah me lol

[@jawalker011]

“Deer or other flying pests?” Did you move up to the north pole?

[@virginiavictorygarden5342]

I was going to use chicken wire on the bottom of my raised beds. Going to see how much that hardware cloth costs. Great ideas!

[@robinlewisart_1997]

Awesome thank you. I used chicken wire gut your ideavis great too

[@yolo_burrito]

In South Florida we have torpedo grass. It goes through weed barrier with ease and invaded my old beds. My new beds were sunk about 10”-12” into the ground and I haven’t had an issue with the rhizomes.

[@thelazynortherngardener7607]

Thanks!!

[@etubeehanymansy]

كل عام وأنتم جميعا بخير وسلام هاني منسي كاتب، ناقد أدبي وفني، مدرب، معلم خبير لغة إنجليزية Great job

[@traceesidell8011]

Love this idea for a bed frame but would really appreciate a video on how to raccoon proof raised beds (I have two 8’ x 2’ beds) while still allowing for easy access

[@vladlozanov]

We add mint to every bed (grows year round up here in the Mountains of San Diego) and also and carcasses left over from when we process our livestock. This also work for our in ground trees. Mint and carcasses 👌🏽👌🏽.

[@vladlozanov]

I also add logs and natural debris to the bottom of the planters for two reasons, takes up space so lease wasted soil, and it feeds soil over time. Kinda like Hügelkultur

[@anthonyshea5946]

Next- how to grub proof potted berries!!

[@epicgardening]

Working on a grub video, actually!

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

They are saying that cooked insects are sustainable protein... Not sure if snacking on grubs is a good idea, tho.

[@BlushingRoseDiaries]

This will be very helpful. I’m tired of losing seedlings to birds

[@joshuahouse682]

This is the way

[@SandraPerez-tz3fw]

I'm just feeling proud of myself for knowing what hardware cloth is 😅 I have a balcony garden and I used it for my vines! But great video! I love getting ideas for my parents garden so neat to combine two beds together!

[@Alejandro-yy3hs]

How do you stop ants from living inside the bed?

[@anthonybernard4796]

Cayenne pepper

[@gr82bloved43]

Ugh! I can’t thank you enough! We just moved to Texas near a preserve and deer are everywhere- they eat everything! I was growing potatoes and this morning came out to water and found stubs - they jumped my six ft fence to get them 🤨

[@solarflare2137]

Haha. Up in Michigan, the deer have eaten my mother’s begonias every year for over a decade. They’ll generously leave the hostas for the bunnies to eat too

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

This is a bit much for me personally, and I wanted to use my raised bed to help develop better soil and invite the earthworms that are in the soil. So I just threw down cardboard on the patchy grass and went from there. For cover to deter raccoons and possums, I use landscape fabric weighted down with bricks and concrete blocks. Obviously nothing is planted while it's covered like that.

[@ethankaufman8577]

I didn't even use cardboard ony most recent beds, I went with hugel mounds. I used a shovel to cut the grass and weeds out of my paths and flipped them over upside down onto the bed, then covered with brush decomposing logs and woodchips, then I dug my paths out 2ft deep and dumped that dirt on top of the wood layer, then I topped with about a foot of compost and granite dust. I then back filled my pathways with mulch to test a technique Diego footer has talked about

[@ra2bk]

Think this video is specifically for people with serious pest problems. They mention they don't do this normally (during the part when discussing the landscape fabric).

[@timhazeltine3256]

@@ra2bk Yes. Here in Southern California, gophers are a serious problem. The metal mesh is usually efficacious in keeping them out of vegetable beds.

[@carolynwarfield1057]

Also, if you have ferocious weeds like Bermuda grass or bindweed, you literally cannot reuse the soil. The weed will come back if you leave so much as a .25" piece of stolon. It's rough.

[@AndiswaTshefu]

love it

[@garden_geek]

You just solved the only issue I have with my birdies beds - the inability to secure a trellis to it. I see a project in my future lol

[@VaultDwellerGal]

Awesome pest control methods! Let the rabbits wear glasses 🐰👓

[@dancharak6300]

Thanks for the video! Will worms still find your bed soil even with all that "flooring?" Love your channel. Thanks!

[@DarleneDeSilva]

How do you access your plants with all that covering. Do you attach it so it can easily be removed? Love the many ways you have thought about to keep all the animal and insect pressure at bay....nice job.

[@cassafrasskotter7238]

This has always been my issue. The fabrics are easy to remove but I had to use chicken wire for the squirrels, rabbits, raccoons... and was essentially locked out of my bed 🤣

[@pamelamanning99]

I'm concerned about the gaps at the bottom of the frame where it meets the prepared bottom surface. I see light coming through here and there. We have a huge vole problem and I know they would squeeze through those gaps. The wire cloth would have to fold up inside to make a kind of basket.

[@moorechains]

Drill holes into the bottom of the bed every 6in or so (if it's a metal bed) & zip tie or twist wire to lock the hardware cloth to the bed

[@freedomthroughspirit]

Yeah our voles are like that - it needs to be Fort Knox to keep them out. We have wood beds and I'm trying to think of a way they can't climb up the sides, perhaps wrap it in a slippery metal sheeting around the bed?

[@aimeekitty]

I’m curious, if you still need bees for pollination but need to avoid birds, I guess you use the bird net? I was unclear since you said something about flying bugs in that area of your video. Thanks!

[@AnaSilva95]

Great video! How about ants in containers, for example? I’m getting desperate to get rid of them

[@epicgardening]

We'll do a full video on ants - they deserve their own!

[@AnaSilva95]

@@epicgardening thank you!

[@bethnshermy]

Please!!!!!

[@sandracrandall4561]

Borax

[@Brookeloun]

look up borax and sugar for ants. it works

[@JamesJones-gj1ii]

I’d love to see you guys offer organic straw mulch (don’t care if it has seeds) and top covers for birdies beds.

[@llswink]

We have voles here by the hundreds! I have been using hardware cloth for the past 7 years. I would have noting to eat if not for that wire mesh barrier. My cats catch a lot of them, but there are just too many here in the south.

[@gurraglaa]

4:50 Flying deer?!? Damn, you've got it tough over there!

[@faylinameir]

After we had ground squirrels dig up our beds and such we dug them all up and put down cardboard and hardware cloth. Some beds got landscape clothes. We have 20 birdies beds so I figure if I spent that much on the beds the prep is important.

[@hotoven]

What are your thoughts about wicking beds? And will you be converting any of the raised beds to wicking beds? 😊 Perth, western Australia

[@earthisflat]

Ah what a relief, my cucumber seedlings was absolutely getting ravaged, at first i thought it was mice or rats but now im thinking its squirrels and was loosing my mind trying yo figure out how to combat it, guy at rhe nursery suggested coyote urine granules but those don't seem to be working, now after watching this and trying this method i feel like my cucs are gonna finally have a chance lol, thanks kevin 👍

[@hk.a.4818]

I really wanna make a raised bed but materials are pretty expensive over here. this is really helpful.

[@jdlflagstone6980]

Logs or rocks piled up to hold the soil is all you need. Raised beds don't have to be expensive, there are no good excuses 😉

[@dawkinswashere--tcg9199]

Thanks for sharing. Will be getting one of these beds soon to install in windy and hot OK. Love the idea for the frame install to use as a trellis and thinking about shade cloth as well but won't that also keep out the pollinators?

[@matthayes533]

I think capitalizing on the versatility of this setup is key. Different cloths for different needs.

[@lisachan8105]

I battle with mice & rats. I want to try this method with the metal cloth. QUESTION 🙋🏻‍♀️ is, how to create the opening in order to access the plans????? 🌱 do you creat a door? 🚪

[@tbarron1631]

For cardboard under the bed, I use the box that my Birdie's bed came in.

[@nicolasflores-santiago6187]

Stainless steel hardware cloth would be AMAZING!