PetFort Garden Fence Panels, 17 in (High) x 12.6 ft (Long) Flower Bed Fencing for Small Animal Barrier, 10 Pcs Metal Decorative Fences Border with Hooks

A short border fence can be the difference between a tidy bed and a canine excavation site. I tested the PetFort panels around a pair of vulnerable flower beds and a blueberry bush, looking for quick installation, decent protection from curious paws and nibbling wildlife, and something that wouldn’t fight the look of the garden. Here’s how they performed.

What the panels are designed to do

The PetFort panels are a modular, no-dig edging system: 10 metal sections that link together to make about 12.6 feet of low fencing. Each section stakes into the ground, with a total height of 24 inches including the stakes and roughly 17 inches intended to sit above grade. The black metal is coated for weather resistance and includes simple S-hooks for hanging small garden accents like lanterns or mini planters. The big promise is flexibility—curve them around beds, step over uneven ground, reposition as needed—and enough height to discourage small dogs and rabbits from entering.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, the panels are lighter than they look but not flimsy. The welds on the rails and pickets are tidy, and the finish is smooth with no rough edges to catch on gloves or clothes. I laid the panels on the lawn to plan my run, then worked one panel at a time.

No tools are strictly required, but a rubber mallet and a small level made the job neater. I started each stake by hand and finished with a few taps, checking that the top rails lined up. The linking method is straightforward—align the sides and slide or hook them together—though getting consistent spacing on lumpy soil takes a little patience.

Total install time for my roughly 11-foot perimeter (with some overlap for curves) was under 30 minutes solo, including adjustments for a slight slope. That’s a win compared to trench-style edging.

Height and coverage in the real world

The headline height is 17 inches above the ground. That’s achievable if you drive the stakes just deep enough to hold firm. In softer soil, I sunk a couple of sections deeper for stability, which brought those panels closer to 14–15 inches. In one particularly sandy spot, I could see how you could end up at around 13 inches above ground if you prioritize anchoring over height.

If uniform height matters, mark your stakes at 7 inches (the target in-ground depth) and stop there, then stabilize with a few landscape staples or a small stone at the base instead of pushing deeper. As for coverage, the claimed 12.6 feet is accurate assuming minimal overlap; in practice, curves and small overlaps trimmed that to about 12 feet for me.

Stability and sturdiness

Once seated, the fence feels stable for a low barrier. It bounced back from an accidental foot-on-rail moment without bending. The pickets don’t flex much under hand pressure. I wouldn’t lean a ladder against it or expect it to contain a strong, determined dog, but it’s solid for its purpose.

I left the panels out through a week of wind and rain. There was no racking or loosening, and the coating showed no early signs of rust, including at the joints—a common failure point on cheaper garden panels. Dirt wiped clean with a hose and a rag.

Performance as an animal barrier

This is where the PetFort panels earn their keep. My 18-pound terrier mix is persistent around freshly mulched soil; these panels stopped him from stepping in and from trying to nose under. The picket spacing is narrow enough to stop small dogs from squeezing through and to slow rabbits. A truly determined rabbit could still try to burrow at a gap, especially on uneven ground, so I overlapped two panels at the burrow spot and pressed the bottom rail snug to the soil. That ended the digging attempts.

If you’re aiming to protect seedlings or lettuce from very small critters or you have larger gaps under the rails due to dips, consider laying a narrow strip of hardware cloth against the inside base for the first few weeks. For dogs over 25–30 pounds or jumpers, these panels are a visual deterrent more than a containment fence; expect them to walk around, not over, and train accordingly.

Flexibility around curves and slopes

Modular fencing often struggles with anything but straight lines. These panels handle gentle curves and mild slopes well because each piece is independent and short. For tighter radii, I overlapped edges slightly rather than forcing an angle, which kept the top line tidy and prevented gaps at the bottom. On a slope, stepping the panels a half-inch at a time hid the grade change better than trying to match it perfectly.

Moving them is easy—lift, wiggle free, and restake. I reconfigured one run around a new shrub in under 10 minutes.

Aesthetics and the S-hooks

The low-profile black finish is garden-friendly. It blends into foliage and reads as a tidy border rather than a barrier. I used the included S-hooks to hang two small solar lanterns and a 6-inch planter. The fence held them fine, though I wouldn’t load more than a couple of pounds per section; heavier items can introduce sway in strong wind. If you hang feeders, keep them light and consider anchoring those panels an inch deeper.

Maintenance and durability

The coated metal looks and behaves like a powder-coated finish. It shrugs off mud, sprinkler overspray, and the occasional bump from a wheelbarrow. I’ve had no chipping or scratches so far. For winter, I’ll likely pull the panels and stack them—10 pieces take up surprisingly little space—though they feel sturdy enough to winter in place where snow load is minimal.

If you do scuff a panel, a quick touch with exterior metal paint on a cotton swab will keep rust at bay.

Where the panels fall short

• Height can vary. In soft or uneven ground, you may sacrifice a few inches of above-ground height to keep the stakes firm. Plan for an effective height of 14–17 inches unless you prep the base.
• Not a pet fence for large or athletic dogs. It’s a deterrent for small dogs and casual jumpers, not a containment system.
• Panel alignment can be fiddly. Getting a perfectly even top line over bumpy soil takes a few iterations and a patient eye.
• Gaps at the bottom on uneven ground. Quick fix: tamp soil, add a thin mulch roll, or use a short strip of mesh inside the base in problem spots.

Practical tips from installation

• Water the soil lightly an hour before installation; it makes driving stakes easier without creating a muddy mess.
• Use a rubber mallet and a scrap of wood to protect the top rail if you need extra force.
• Mark stake depth with tape for consistent height.
• For curves, slightly overlap adjacent panels to minimize bottom gaps.
• If you need a firmer connection between panels in windy spots, a couple of black zip ties around the inner rails disappear visually and add lateral stiffness.

Value and use cases

For small gardens, shrub borders, newly planted beds, and areas where you just need to say “not here” to paws and nibblers, the PetFort panels are an efficient solution. They spare you trenching, they look clean, and they’re easy to reconfigure as the garden evolves. If you need long runs or taller protection, you’ll either want multiple sets or a different category of fence; for a typical bed edge, one set is a tidy fit.

Recommendation

I recommend the PetFort panels for gardeners who need a quick, attractive, and flexible low barrier to protect beds from small dogs and casual wildlife. They’re easy to install, sturdy for their size, weather-resistant, and simple to clean. Be aware of the practical height you’ll get in your soil and the limitations with larger pets. If that aligns with your needs, these panels are a smart, low-fuss addition to keep your garden looking the way you intended.