CritterGuard Cedar Fence on a 4x8 Bed: Setup and Pest FAQ
By Greenes Fence Company: Cedar Raised Garden Beds ... | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: How-to Guides
Answers to the setup and pest questions people ask most about the CritterGuard cedar fence system on a 4x8 raised bed, including fence height, placement, and upkeep.
Quick answer
The CritterGuard cedar fence system is a cedar barrier that attaches to your raised bed to discourage animals from digging or climbing into the soil. On a 4x8 bed, install it around the full perimeter before filling with soil, and check it after storms or seasonal changes.
What the CritterGuard fence does and does not cover
A cedar fence pest barrier works by adding a physical deterrent at the bed edge. It is most useful against animals that enter from ground level, such as digging or burrowing pests. It is not a roof, so it will not stop birds or squirrels that drop in from above, and it does not replace netting or row cover for flying insects.
Because the barrier is made of cedar, it fits the same untreated, rot-resistant material as the Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed with CritterGuard Cedar Fence System 4 ft x 8 ft x 14 in (3/4 in Thick) RC489614CG. That matching construction keeps the bed visually consistent and avoids mixing treated lumber with untreated cedar.
Why setup order matters on a 4x8 bed
The 4x8 footprint is large enough that reaching the center after assembly becomes awkward. Attaching the fence panels while the bed is still empty and accessible is easier than leaning over a filled bed. It also lets you confirm the panels sit squarely before soil presses against the sides.
If you plan to expand the bed later, note that the Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed with CritterGuard Cedar Fence System 4 ft x 8 ft x 14 in (3/4 in Thick) RC489614CG is described as expandable. Decide whether the fence should run around the current footprint only or be planned for a future addition, because moving an installed fence is more work than placing it once.
CritterGuard fence questions answered
- How tall should the critter guard fence be?
- The fence height is determined by the CritterGuard system you pair with your bed; the RC489614CG listing does not state a separate fence height, so confirm the panel height on the product page before ordering. Choose a height that matches the animals you actually see, since a taller barrier is more effective against jumpers but also blocks more of your view. Measure the animals you see, not the ones you fear, before choosing a height.
- Where exactly does the fence attach?
- Attach the CritterGuard panels to the outside of the bed frame around the full perimeter, following the routed corner posts as your reference points. Keep the bottom edge in contact with the ground or buried slightly so digging animals cannot push under it. A gap at the bottom defeats the barrier faster than a short fence does.
- Can I install it after the bed is already filled?
- Yes, but it is harder. Empty the bed partway or work from the outside so you are not leaning over soil to reach the far panels. If the bed is full, attach the fence before the next planting season rather than mid-season. Plan the install around a bed-empty window if you can.
- Does the fence need maintenance?
- Cedar weathers naturally, but check the fence after storms and at the start of each season for loose fasteners or panels that have shifted. Re-seat any panel that has lifted off the ground, since a small gap is where animals get in. A five-minute seasonal check prevents most failures.
- Will the fence stop deer?
- A low bed-mounted fence is not a deer barrier. Deer browse from above, so the CritterGuard fence is aimed at ground-level animal protection, not deer exclusion. If deer are your main problem, plan a separate taller fence around the garden area. Match the barrier to the animal, not the other way around.
- What does the RC489614CG setup involve?
- The Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed with CritterGuard Cedar Fence System 4 ft x 8 ft x 14 in (3/4 in Thick) RC489614CG is described as tool-free and easy to assemble, with routed corner posts and sanded 3/4 in. boards. Set up the bed frame first, then add the CritterGuard fence around the perimeter before filling with soil. Frame first, fence second, soil last.
Product facts
- Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed with CritterGuard® Cedar Fence System 4 ft x 8 ft x 14 in (3/4 in Thick) RC489614CG: The bed is made in the USA from untreated, naturally rot-resistant cedar with sanded 3/4 in. thick boards and routed corner posts. Untreated cedar is a sensible choice around edible plants, and the thicker boards and routed posts give the fence a solid frame to attach to.
Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed with CritterGuard® Cedar Fence System 4 ft x 8 ft x 14 in (3/4 in Thick) RC489614CG
