We built three raised beds this weekend using 4X4's and lined/sealed the bottom of them with 1/4" hardware cloth to deter the voles. We made them in funky shapes to make them interesting. It was incredibly hard work and I need a least another three-five beds ASAP. Despite the buckets of sweat, the challenging math for the corner angles and the sore backs, it was well worth the effort!!!
This photo is kinda dark but you can see the three beds:
You can see that the hosta are jam packed but since so many were destroyed and set back to almost nothing, it's like I'm starting from scratch with first and second year plants in some cases! Going forward I'll need MANY more beds but I'd rather do this than watch all of my hosta become vole food.
I've had this vole eaten Sagae for FIVE years! Doesn't look it, does it? Teeny little thing.
And... so much around the pond is in bloom it's looking great on the other side of the yard. Ok, so it's not a raised bed and has nothing to do with this post but there IS a hosta (or two) in this photo somewhere
Edited to add the photo of my original raised bed with a view of the hardware cloth that lines the bottom. The same stuff is attached to the bottom of the wooden ones too!
Compared to what they were growing in before they must think they have gone from rags to riches!