Deer Proofing the Raised Bed

This summer, inspired by ideas from the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, I decided to deer and bird proof my vegetable garden. The raised bed is already gopher proofed from below - protected with a hardware cloth mesh underground cage that prevents tunneling. Time to protect from the air.

Deer proof raised bed, with newly planted tomatoes in June

Using material on hand, I constructed a framework of wire tomato cages (some collapsed, others assembled). The deer and bird netting is draped over the sides and top, and secured into place with small plastic ties. On two sides, the netting is anchored into the soil with U-shaped sod nails used for irrigation, but can be rolled up for easy access for weeding (and hopefully harvesting). The results may not be glamorous, but seem to be effective.

Two months later and tomatoes are thriving

It has been two months, and no breaches in the netting security so far! The two cherry tomato plants purchased at the Merritt College Spring Plant Sale are thriving (they are kept watered via the drip irrigation system installed several years ago). The blossoms are just giving way to green cherry tomatoes, but need some heat to bring them into full ripeness.