No Dig Fence Panels for Protection
While looking for solutions to prevent foxes from digging under my fence, I came across no dig fence panels. After losing my chickens to a fox, I noticed that the fence I installed had some spots where it was slightly lifted off the ground. I could see the leaves ruffled in two of those areas. I’m pretty sure the fox only needed to dig a little bit to get under the fence. Therefore, now I’m using no dig panels through the bottom of the wire fence and into the ground.
The principle of a no dig fence panel is that it’s made from fairly thin, but strong steel rods. These rods are connected to each other on one end, but not connected on the other end – kind of like a panel of skewers. They range from about 13″ long (i.e. the depth you can push them into the dirt) to about 24″ long. The wires are typically placed 1.25 to 2.5 inches apart. This ensures that when a predator digs into the no dig fence panels, they essentially run into steel bars.
Wide Availability
These are a great product and there are a number of manufacturers with different lengths and panel sizes. However, the panels are kind of expensive – $50 for 27 feet – especially if you have a 660 foot fence like me ($1,250 for total coverage – ouch). Therefore, I’ve been using the panels selectively in softer ground where there aren’t many tree roots. I also use them where there is a gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground.
Sometimes these panels are called no dig dog fence barriers, or a garden border fence, but the purpose is the same no matter what it’s called – preventing foxes from getting in, or preventing dogs from getting out.
No Dig Fence Panels for Decoration
Unfortunately, the term “no dig fence” is also used for decorative fences that don’t require digging to be installed. These fences do no prevent predators from digging under them. This type of fencing is purely decorative and just easy to install because you don’t need to dig.
Honestly, the only reason I’d use a decorative no dig fence would be as a trellis for vining plants, but sometimes this type of fence is also called a garden border fence.