Underground Barriers
Raised beds & planters
Line bottoms with 1/2–3/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth (or similar wire) before filling; overlap seams and fasten. Inspect and replace as needed over time.
Tree and shrub planting
Use wire baskets or cylinders of hardware cloth around root balls when planting. Leave ample room for root growth and remove/relieve constriction as plants mature.
Garden Wire Baskets
Wire baskets to protect young trees and shrubs from gopher damage. Various sizes available.
Perimeter barriers
For small beds, bury hardware cloth vertically ~24 inches deep with 6 inches bent outward at 90° to create a “J” barrier; extend 6–12 inches above grade where feasible.
Note: barriers can fail if gophers burrow below them.
Hardware Cloth (1/2–3/4")
Heavy-duty galvanized hardware cloth (wire mesh) for garden and pest control applications. 1/2" or 3/4" mesh size, 19 gauge wire.
Pros & cons
Barriers provide immediate plant protection without toxins but require labor/materials and periodic maintenance.