Most of the time, you probably enjoy the sight of wildlife strolling through your backyard. But in your garden? That's another story. If you have any number of creatures turning your gorgeous garden into a buffet, you've come to the right place. Learn how to keep animals out of a vegetable garden by making it as inaccessible or unappealing as possible so they simply find their dinner elsewhere.

Identify Your Unwelcome Guest

Common veggie garden invaders include wildlife such as rabbits, deer, moles, raccoons or birds; pets like wandering cats and curious dogs; and rodents like mice or rats. Insect damage is another possibility. But if you suspect an animal and you've never seen the culprit, use these clues to figure out who's to blame:

• Damage location: If the tops of your plants have gone missing, it's likely a bird, deer or another tall animal. If the damage is within a couple of feet of the ground, put your money on rabbits or groundhogs. If it's at the ground level or beneath, your prime suspects are moles, voles or other small rodents.

• Damage type: Deer bites tend to leave rough edges, while rabbits tend to make a cleaner cut. Burrowing and digging rodents are more likely to push plants up by the roots. Birds may pluck off produce from the tops of plants.

• Evidence: And by evidence, we mean droppings. Tell-tale round rabbit droppings, larger deer droppings or smaller rodent droppings can help you zero in on who's to blame.

Once you have a good idea of whodunit, it's time to take the appropriate action.

Install Fencing

When determining how to keep animals out of a vegetable garden, one of the most logical and effective ways is to construct a physical barrier. Depending on your budget, needs and potential homeowner's association restrictions, possible materials include chicken wire, hardware cloth, plastic fencing, sturdy mesh netting or traditional metal fencing.

When determining how tall to build your fence, it all comes down to the animal you're trying to deter.

• To keep out digging animals, dig a hole 2 to 3 feet deep around the perimeter of your garden and line it with wire mesh, then cover it with soil.

• For rabbits, rodents and smaller animals, construct a fence at least 2 feet tall using metal or plastic fencing or chicken wire. Ensure the spaces are no more than a 1/2 inch wide, or add an extra layer of mesh netting. Otherwise, smaller animals may be able to squeeze through.

• To stop deer, you need a tall fence — make that a really tall fence. It needs to be at least 8 feet tall for a hungry deer to take it seriously. Anything shorter than that, and they may attempt to jump over the top or stick their noses just far enough in to grab a snack.

You can also consider building a complete enclosure that includes a fenced roof. Regardless of your fencing approach, ensure you can easily access all of your plants. For large or tall fences, this may mean creating a door or gate you open only when you're working.

Lay Netting

If your primary invaders are attacking plants from the top, you can gently lay bird netting over your plants and affix it to poles or stakes in the ground. However, you'll need to regularly remove this net to water, weed and harvest. Despite its on-again, off-again nature, netting can be a great short-term solution that may encourage birds and deer to move on.

Build a Raised Bed

Another way to outsmart unwitting animals? Keep plants out of their reach. While this won't work for hungry deer or animals that can jump or climb, a raised bed is an excellent way to keep your garden safe (and save your back and knees while you work). You can either construct one yourself or purchase a pre-made raised bed kit. And if you have a patio or porch, tall containers can accomplish the same goal; 2 feet should be high enough to keep most rabbits out.

Use Repellent Spray

The goal of repellent sprays is to make your garden taste or smell bad enough that it sends potential snackers packing. Common taste repellents include rotten eggs, capsaicin (hot pepper), garlic and castor oil. Odor repellents include things that not only smell bad but may also suggest the presence of another animal, such as urine or blood. Luckily, you don't have to mix your own concoction — pre-made repellent sprays are easy to come by.

Always read and follow label directions carefully — especially to ensure they won't impact the taste of the veggies you've worked so hard to grow. Also, note that you must reapply sprays regularly, especially after heavy rainfall.

Plant Foods Animals Don't Like

Turn would-be garden thieves into picky toddlers at the dinner table by filling the perimeter of your garden with a host of their least favorite foods. While the hungriest animals may forge ahead and eat anyway, the following plants commonly stop deer in their tracks and are likely to deter other would-be diners as well.

Vegetables

• Asparagus

• Carrots

• Cucumbers

• Eggplant

• Fennel

• Garlic

• Leeks

• Onions

• Peppers

• Rhubarb

• Tomatoes

Herbs

• Chives

• Dill

• Lavender

• Lemon balm

• Mint

• Parsley

• Rosemary

• Sage

• Tarragon

• Thyme

When considering which plants need the most protection, gardeners widely regard the following as wildlife favorites:

• Beans

• Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower

• Most fruit

• Leafy greens such as lettuce, kale, spinach and chard

• Sweet corn

Surround Your Garden With Deterring Plants

If you have the space, another strategy worth trying is to conceal your garden behind beautiful yet unpalatable plants. Exactly what to plant will depend on where you live, but generally, look for plants with thick, textured or spiky leaves or a strong odor. Native plants often stand up to animals better than others. Shop deer resistant-perennials, or check with your local Extension office for recommendations.

Keep a Lid on Compost

If you have a compost bin, do your best to mask its smell, which can serve as an odiferous dinner bell for animals like raccoons and rodents. An animal-free composting zone means having a well-composed compost pile and using a composter that helps combat odor.

Try a Scare Tactic (But Keep Your Expectations Low)

Desperate gardeners may try a host of other animal deterrents to keep their vegetables safe, such as:

• Hanging pie pans or metal cans that bang together

• Motion-activated sprinklers

• Mylar tape streamers that shine and make noise in the wind

• Scare-eye balloons that resemble an angry animal

• Scarecrows

• Ultrasonic frequency devices

However, over time, animals may become used to these devices and decide to visit your garden anyway. If you try one of these tactics, use it alongside another strategy and know that your success may be short-lived.

Be Realistic

Enjoying a lush, vibrant landscape teeming with wildlife is one of the best parts of homeownership. Despite your best efforts, the occasional critter may find its way into your veggie patch, especially if you live in a rural or heavily wooded area. Just do your best, and know that gardening is a lifelong journey — with many twists and turns!

Now you know how to keep animals out of a vegetable garden. Whether you've already been hit by a four-legged bandit or are just looking for ways to keep your precious produce safe, implementing any of the strategies recommended here can help ensure you don't miss out on a single bite of your bounty.

Protect your hard work this season by using safe, effective pest repellents.