CritterGuard vs Cedar Picket Fence: Which Barrier Works?
By Greenes Fence Company: Cedar Raised Garden Beds ... | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: Comparisons
CritterGuard cedar fence panels snap into 2 ft raised beds for quick rabbit protection, while cedar picket fencing rolls out for larger garden borders. Here's how to choose.
Quick Answer
Choose CritterGuard cedar fence panels if you already own or plan to buy 2 ft wide Greenes cedar raised beds and want a push-in barrier that leaves 16.5 in of fence above the soil. Choose cedar picket fencing if you need to enclose a larger garden, walkway, or lawn border and want flexible 8 ft or 15 ft runs. CritterGuard wins on fast, bed-specific rabbit protection; cedar picket fencing wins on coverage and layout freedom.
How Each Barrier Handles Rabbits and Small Animals
Rabbits and other small animals usually enter a garden at ground level, so the first 12 to 18 inches of fence height matter most. CritterGuard panels are 23.5 in tall overall, and the stakes push 7 in into the soil, leaving 16.5 in of fence above the soil. That above-ground height is the number to compare against your local rabbit pressure. Cedar picket fencing is sold in different heights and lengths, so you can match the run to the animal you are excluding rather than fitting a fixed panel. Neither product is described as burying a bottom rail, so if you have diggers like groundhogs, plan to pin or trench the bottom edge yourself.
Installation: Push-In Panels vs Rolled Picket Runs
CritterGuard is designed to fit into 2 ft wide Greenes Fence Company cedar raised garden beds by pushing each fence between the posts. That makes it a bed accessory rather than a standalone fence line: if your beds are not 2 ft wide Greenes cedar beds, the panels will not lock in the same way. The cedar picket fence products use a cedar stake installation system and come as flexible runs, including an 8 ft x 16 in option and a rolled 15 ft x 2 ft two-pack. Flexible runs are easier to curve around a flower bed or follow a property line, but they need more staking decisions along the way.
Materials, Finish, and Long-Term Look
Both product families are built around cedar, which is naturally resistant to rot and insects. The CritterGuard panel is a functional barrier with a patent-pending design, not a decorative border, so expect it to read as garden protection rather than landscaping. The cedar picket fence is available in natural cedar or white with a water-based paint, and the lattice picket border fence adds a decorative lattice pattern for walkways and flower beds. If curb appeal matters as much as exclusion, the picket and lattice options give you more visual choice; if you mainly want to protect a raised bed, CritterGuard keeps the focus on function.
Trade-Offs to Weigh Before You Buy
- Bed fit vs freestanding coverage: CritterGuard only fits 2 ft wide Greenes cedar raised beds, so it is not a general-purpose fence. Cedar picket runs install anywhere you can drive a cedar stake. If your beds are not 2 ft wide Greenes cedar beds, skip CritterGuard and use picket fencing.
- Above-ground height vs run length: CritterGuard leaves 16.5 in above the soil. The 8 ft picket is 16 in tall, and the rolled picket is 2 ft tall. Taller fencing helps on sloped or uneven ground where animals can step up. For flat beds with average rabbit pressure, 16.5 in is usually enough; for slopes or taller animals, choose the 2 ft rolled picket.
- Speed vs layout freedom: CritterGuard pushes between posts with no trenching or staking beyond the bed. Picket fencing needs stakes spaced along the run, which takes longer but lets you curve around beds, paths, and trees. Buy CritterGuard for a fast bed upgrade; buy picket fencing when the border shape matters.
- Decorative finish vs pure function: CritterGuard is a patent-pending barrier with no decorative finish options in the catalog. Picket fencing comes in natural cedar or white, and the lattice picket border adds a patterned look. Choose picket or lattice if the fence is part of your landscape design.
Product Facts at a Glance
- CritterGuard® Cedar Fence 21.5 in x 23.5 in RC24CG: CritterGuard Cedar Fence panel measures 21.5 in long x 23.5 in tall; stakes push 7 in into the soil, leaving 16.5 in of fence above the soil, and the system fits into 2 ft wide Greenes cedar raised beds by pushing the fence between each post. The 16.5 in above-ground height is the real rabbit barrier, and the 2 ft bed fit means it is a raised-bed accessory rather than a freestanding fence.
- Cedar Wooden Garden Picket Fence in Natural Cedar or White with Cedar Stake Installation System 8 ft x 16 in RC28CS RC28WS: Cedar Wooden Garden Picket Fence is 8 ft x 16 in with a cedar stake installation system, made from 100% natural cedar, and available in natural cedar or white with water-based paint. An 8 ft run covers more ground than a single CritterGuard panel, and the 16 in height is comparable above-ground protection if you stake it fully.
- Natural Cedar Garden Picket Fence with Cedar Stake Installation System – 15 ft × 2 ft (Rolled) 2-Pack RC14CS-2PK: Natural Cedar Garden Picket Fence is a flexible 15 ft x 2 ft rolled run sold as a 2-pack, crafted from 100% natural cedar with a cedar stake installation system. The 2 ft height gives more clearance than a 16 in picket or a 16.5 in CritterGuard barrier, which helps with taller rabbits or uneven ground.
- Lattice Picket Border Fence 19.5 in x 19 in RC571: Lattice Picket Border Fence panel is 19.5 in x 19 in, self-staking, and intended for gardens, walkways, flower beds, and landscapes. This is the decorative option when you want a defined border rather than maximum exclusion height.
Which Barrier Fits Your Garden?
Best for
- Gardeners with 2 ft wide Greenes cedar raised beds who want fast rabbit protection
- Renters or beginners who want a push-in barrier with no trenching
- Small kitchen gardens where 16.5 in of above-ground height is enough
Not for
- Large garden perimeters or lawns that need long, continuous fence runs
- Beds that are not 2 ft wide Greenes cedar raised beds
- Gardeners who want a decorative white or lattice finish
