CritterGuard Fence Installation for Raised Beds
By Greenes Fence Company: Cedar Raised Garden Beds ... | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to quickly install a CritterGuard fence and trellis on your Greenes cedar raised bed. Step-by-step instructions to keep pests out and support climbing plants.
Quick answer
Installing a CritterGuard fence on a Greenes 4x8 cedar raised bed takes about 15 minutes and requires no tools beyond the fence panels themselves.
Why CritterGuard works without hardware
The CritterGuard fence system is designed to slip between the posts of your Greenes raised bed, so you don't need screws, brackets, or a drill. Each panel is 45 inches long and 23.5 inches tall, and the attached stakes push 7 inches into the soil, leaving 16.25 inches of barrier above ground. That height is enough to stop most rabbits and groundhogs without blocking your view of the garden.
One trade-off: the fence panels are sized specifically for Greenes 4x8 beds with standard post spacing. If your bed has non-standard post spacing, the panels may not fit snugly. Measure your post gaps before ordering to confirm compatibility.
Step-by-step installation
- Prepare the bed and panels: Remove any plants or mulch from the perimeter of your Greenes 4x8 cedar raised bed so you have clear access to the posts. Unpack the CritterGuard fence set and lay the panels on the ground near each side of the bed. A common mistake is trying to install the fence after plants have grown large—install it early in the season.
- Insert the first panel between two posts: Hold a panel vertically with the stakes pointing down. Position it between two adjacent posts on one long side of the bed. The panel should fit snugly between the posts without forcing. Gently push the stakes straight down into the soil until the bottom of the panel rests on the soil surface. If the soil is dry or hard, water it lightly an hour before installation to make pushing easier without bending the stakes.
- Continue around the entire bed: Repeat the process for each remaining panel, working your way around the bed. For a 4x8 bed, you will install two panels on each short side and four on each long side. Ensure each panel sits flush against the posts and the stakes are fully buried. Check that all panels are at the same height. If one panel sits higher, critters may squeeze underneath.
- Add a trellis for climbing plants (optional): If you want to support climbing plants, push a CritterGuard trellis between two posts on any side, or position it in the middle of the bed by pushing the stakes into the soil. For 2-foot-wide beds, the trellis can also serve as an additional pest barrier. Place the trellis where it won't shade shorter plants. A south-facing side works well for sun-loving vines.
Product facts
- CritterGuard® Cedar Fence Set for 4 ft x 8 ft Cedar Raised Bed RCCG8PK: The CritterGuard Fence Set for 4 ft x 8 ft beds includes eight 4-foot-long panels, each 45 inches long by 23.5 inches tall, with stakes that push 7 inches into the soil. You get enough panels to surround the entire bed in one purchase, and the 7-inch soil penetration keeps the fence stable even in loose garden soil.
CritterGuard® Cedar Fence Set for 4 ft x 8 ft Cedar Raised Bed RCCG8PK - CritterGuard® Cedar Trellis 46.5 in x 21.5 in RCCGT: The CritterGuard Trellis measures 21.5 inches wide by 46.5 inches tall and fits between posts or in the middle of the bed, and can also block critters in 2-foot-wide beds. Use it to support climbing vegetables like cucumbers or beans while doubling as a pest barrier in narrower beds.
CritterGuard® Cedar Trellis 46.5 in x 21.5 in RCCGT
