Grow a Healthy Vegetable Garden

To keep critters at bay, Nolan installed a 4-foot-high fence around his garden with wire mesh between the rails. But he readily admits that isn't what keeps deer from feasting inside—the credit goes to Cargo, the family's Labradoodle. If you don't have a dog and live where deer are an issue, you'll need a taller fence, 6 to 8 feet high. A fence 2 to 3 feet high with wire mesh to the ground will keep out rabbits.

Shown: Cargo, the family dog, makes sure deer don't jump over the 4-foot fence.