How to Install an Underground Electric Fence for Your Garden

Installing an underground electric fence around your garden can be a great way to keep rabbits, deer, and other animals from damaging your plants without unsightly above ground fencing. With proper planning and preparation, installing an underground fence can be a straightforward do-it-yourself project. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install an underground electric fence for your garden.

Choosing an Underground Fence System

The first step is selecting the right underground fence system for your needs. There are a few main considerations when choosing a system:

Size of area to enclose - Measure the perimeter of the area you want to fence and make sure to get a system that can cover the required distance. Most systems can enclose 1-5 acres.
Power source - Underground fence systems are powered either by batteries or by plugging into an outlet. Battery powered systems offer more flexibility in placement while plug-in systems provide consistent power.
Number of dogs - If fencing multiple dogs, look for systems that support more than one collar. Make sure the collar sizes accommodate your dogs.
Extra accessories - Some systems come with extras like lightning protection, remote training collars, and wire splices for easier installation. Decide if these add-ons are worthwhile for you.

I went with the Extreme Dog Fence Maxsys Elite system since it could enclose up to 5 acres and came with lightning protection and an extra collar. This provided flexibility for my 1 acre garden and for walking my dogs on the rest of my property.

Planning the Layout

Once you've selected your underground fence system, the next step is planning where you will place the wire. Consider the following when designing your layout:

Mark the boundaries you want to enclose and make sure you have enough wire length.
Bury the wire in a continuous loop around the perimeter. The wire must form a complete loop for the system to work.
Avoid making sharp 90 degree angles that could weaken the signal. Go with smooth arcs instead.
Place the wire at least 5 feet away from physical boundaries like gardens and trees to avoid interference.
If there are any gates or openings, plan where you will interrupt the loop to allow access. The system will come with wire splices to reconnect the loop.

I sketched out a rounded rectangular layout keeping the wire 5 feet from my garden beds and leaving a 10 foot opening for my gate. Measuring the layout showed I would need 500 feet of wire, well within my system's capacity.

Gathering Supplies

Before installation, make sure you have all the required supplies on hand:

Wire or cable - This is usually 20-22 gauge insulated wire. Always use the specific wire that came with your system.
Wire splicing supplies - Your kit should include waterproof splices. Heat shrink tubing also helps make secure connections.
Stakes - You'll need non-conductive stakes to hold the wire in place while burying. Fiberglass rods work well.
Shovel - Choose a sturdy shovel to dig the trench for burying the wire.
PVC piping (optional) - For crossing driveways or pathways, running the wire through PVC piping lets you bury the wire without actually trenching through those areas.
Voltmeter - Used to check wire continuity during installation. This ensures there are no gaps or breaks.
Wire strippers - Used for stripping back the insulation when splicing wires.
Safety gear - Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the wire.

Make sure you have all these supplies ready to go before starting the installation.

Installing the Wire

With your layout planned and supplies gathered, you're ready to start installing the fence wire:

Step 1: Stake Down the Wire

Begin by staking down the wire along your planned boundaries using the non-conductive stakes. This will hold the wire in place while you bury it.
Leave 3-6 inches of slack between each stake to allow for minor adjustments.
Use stakes every 5-10 feet along straight sections and more frequently around curves.

Step 2. Dig the Trench

Once staked down, use a shovel to dig a trench following the path of the wire.
The trench should be at least 3-6 inches deep and 2-3 inches wide.
Go over the entire loop, digging the trench carefully along the staked wire.

Step 3. Place the Wire in the Trench

Start at your transmitter location and run the wire into the trench, placing it at the bottom.
Keep some slack in the wire within the trench for expansion/contraction.
Use PVC piping to run wire under any pathways, taking care to completely seal the ends.

Step 4. Splice and Reconnect the Loop

When you reach your planned opening, use a splice to disconnect the loop.
Pass the wire through the opening back to the transmitter.
After reconnecting at the transmitter, run wire back through the opening and use a waterproof splice to complete the loop.
Avoid kinks or sharp bends which could damage the wire when reconnecting the loop.

Step 5. Check Continuity

Use a voltmeter to check that current flows smoothly through the entire wire loop with no gaps or damage.
Fix any issues before burying the wire to get the system working properly.

Step 6. Bury the Wire

Once continuity is confirmed, backfill the trench fully with dirt, careful not to damage or dislodge the wire.
Pack down the dirt firmly to prevent settling later on. Grass and plants will regrow over the trench.
The wire should now form a complete buried loop around your garden!

Installing the Transmitter

After the boundary wire is successfully installed underground, the next step is setting up the system transmitter:

Place the transmitter box in a protected indoor location like a garage or basement.
Position it centrally within your buried wire loop for optimal signal transmission.
For a battery powered unit, insert a fully charged battery and follow instructions to sync it with the collar.
For a plug-in unit, connect the power adapter and plug it into a nearby 120V outlet.
Adjust any settings like boundary width and correction level according to your training approach.
Test that the collar emits a warning tone when crossed over the buried wire. Your system is now up and running!

Proper transmitter setup and testing ensures your dogs will receive a clear signal when they reach the underground boundary.

Training Your Dog on the Underground Fence

The final key step is training your dog to understand and respect the fence boundary:

Start by showing your dog where the boundary line is and associating it with the correction tone. Reward them for retreating back into the safe zone.
Gradually increase distraction levels during training sessions to proof obedience. Have friends approach from outside or throw toys to simulate real-world conditions.
Monitor your dog closely during initial sessions. Safely contain them using a leash if needed until they demonstrate understanding of the boundary.
Be consistent with enforcing and respecting the boundary yourself to prevent confusion. Never allow your dog to wander past the underground fence.
Advanced systems include a remote training collar which can deliver vibrations or static corrections for stubborn dogs requiring extra reinforcement.

Take 1-2 weeks to thoroughly train your pet. Their comfort and obedience around the underground fence will ensure effective protection for your garden.

Troubleshooting an Underground Fence

Despite best installation efforts, issues can arise with underground fence systems. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:

Check status lights on the transmitter - Solid lights indicate everything is working. Flashing means there is a break in the loop or power issue.
Test boundary width by crossing over wire in multiple spots - Irregular widths can indicate signal inconsistency.
Locate wire splice failures with a continuity tester. Reset any failed splices.
Replace transmitter batteries annually to maintain optimal power.
Examine wire insulation and replace any damaged sections prone to grounding out.
Eliminate nearby interference like satellite dishes, power lines, or large metal objects which could disrupt signals.
Re-train dogs having difficulty respecting the boundary as a short term solution. Long term, inspect the system for any issues.

With regular maintenance and testing, an underground fence system should provide years of reliable service in keeping garden destroyers out of your planting beds!

Conclusion

Installing your own underground electric fence can be a very fulfilling DIY project that pays dividends in the form of a completely protected garden. By planning carefully, gathering the right supplies, trenching and burying the wire properly, setting up the transmitter, and training your dogs, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your flowers and vegetables are safe from critters. Remember to regularly maintain and test your underground fence to keep it functioning optimally year after year. Your garden will thrive and your pets will have full run of the yard thanks to the freedom an underground electric fence provides.