Gaston Fence can help keep kids and pets out of the vegetable patch. They can also prevent unwelcome visitors like raccoons, skunks, and rabbits from stepping on and eating growing vegetables.
Choose a dark color for your garden fence to make the planting pop. Try an ombre effect or mix and match different shades for a more subtle look.
Growing your vegetables, fruits and flowers offers numerous benefits, including nutritional value and a beautiful addition to the yard. But a garden fence is also essential in protecting your plants from wild animals and pests that are looking for a snack. There is nothing more frustrating than working on your tomato or green bean patch and waking up the next morning to find it decimated by hungry deer, groundhogs, rabbits or raccoons. A sturdy, tall garden fence helps to deter these types of intruders.
Many types of fencing can help deter animals, but the type of protection you need depends on what you are trying to protect your plants from. If your problem is squirrels, a wooden or chicken wire fence with a small mesh size will help keep them out of the garden. If the threat is more from burrowing animals such as gophers, woodchucks, moles, skunks and armadillos, then you will need to bury the bottom of your fence several inches underground. For example, burying the bottom of a 6 inch wide barrier will keep these animals from digging their way in as they will quickly give up before reaching your plants.
Another common cause of animal intrusion is a gate that does not close properly or has gaps in the bottom. Make sure that your gate is a good height, can be secured and has a latch that will not easily slip open during strong winds.
Preparing the area, digging and setting fence posts properly is crucial for the longevity of your garden fence. Ensure that the posts are deep enough to prevent animal burrowing underneath them and are set in concrete or gravel. The use of a post level will help to make sure that the posts are straight and will not move over time. Regularly inspect your fence for any damage and make the necessary repairs. Also, regularly trim any vegetation that comes into contact with the fence to avoid moisture buildup or rot. You may want to add additional deterrents such as motion-activated sprinklers or natural repellents to further prevent unwanted wildlife from accessing your garden.
A garden fence offers a deterrent to pests that threaten the health of your plants. It’s frustrating to put so much time and effort into your vegetable or flower gardens only to have them eaten away by critters. There are many repellents you can use, but nothing works better than a strong fence.
Before you install a fence, identify the main problem animals in your yard or garden. You can walk the perimeter and look for animal tracks or even set up a game camera to get an idea of what the main problem is in your garden. You also want to consider what type of animals you’re dealing with. For example, a two or three-foot-tall fence is great for keeping out groundhogs and rabbits, but it’s not likely to stop a deer.
To keep most common wildlife out of your garden, you can build a fence made from 2×6 boards nailed together and buried along the ground around the perimeter of your garden area. You can then attach chicken wire to the inside of these boards, which will thwart most predators that try to dig under it. For larger animals, you can bury galvanized wire mesh on the inside of the fence that will stymie deer, goats and other large wildlife that might attempt to forage in your garden.
If you’re dealing with a problem with smaller pests, such as squirrels, skunks and rabbits, simply installing a narrow strip of hardware cloth on the outside of the fence will discourage them from digging under it. For raccoons and woodchucks that can tunnel, you can use PVC-coated wire buried under the surface of the soil to stymie them.
You can purchase pre-built wooden garden fences at most home improvement stores, but if you’re a handy do-it-yourselfer, you can build one yourself. For this project, you’ll need the following materials:
Privacy is one of the main reasons homeowners seek garden fence ideas. Whether it’s to block out the view of neighbouring properties or create a private secluded space for relaxing and entertaining, there are plenty of ways to achieve a garden fence with privacy.
Horizontal slatted fence panels are increasingly popular in modern gardens due to their fuss-free design and increased privacy compared to vertical slats. They can be painted with a wide variety of colours and are ideal for climbing plants too. If you want a softer look that blends into the garden, try planting shrubs and flowering plants over the top of the fence instead.
For a low budget solution to garden privacy, consider bamboo screens. These tall poles are tightly fashioned together to create a wall that might not be as sturdy as masonry or composite fencing but is far more cost effective. It doesn’t offer as much privacy as a solid garden fence, but you can grow rapidly-growing vines and shrubs over the base to increase seclusion.
Alternatively, you could use a chain link fence to screen compost bins or recycling waste. While this is not as secure as a solid wall, it’s much cheaper and can be dressed with colourful tin can flower pot hangers to boost the kerb appeal.
A simple trellis can also be used to add a bit of privacy to a seating area or hide unsightly features such as a compost heap or shed. This works well for small urban gardens where a garden building might not fit.
An evergreen hedge is one of the best garden privacy fence ideas. The dense foliage helps to keep people and pets out while still allowing light to filter through the plantings behind. Evergreens come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tiniest alpines to tall hedging varieties such as the ‘Chanticleer’ pictured here.
In a garden that’s not quite large enough for a summerhouse, hide it in the corner of the yard where it would be least overlooked. This will make a seating area feel more like a secluded garden room.
Aside from protecting plants, a garden fence also provides a unique aesthetic. Depending on the materials and design, you can create a style that blends seamlessly into your front garden or stands out as a statement piece. The options are endless, from traditional wood to contemporary metal, and from simple two-panel statement fences to elaborate trellis designs.
The most important consideration is the material that best suits your needs. Different materials offer varying levels of durability, resistance to weather conditions and maintenance requirements. You should consider the style of your home and garden when deciding on a fence material, as well as any regulations and restrictions that may apply.
Wooden garden fences are a popular choice for their natural look and versatility. They blend well with a variety of garden styles and can be stained or painted to suit your preferences. Wood fences can be spruced up with decorative elements like latticework or ornamental posts and caps, adding to the overall aesthetic of your garden.
If you opt for a wooden fence, make sure to choose a weather-resistant paint, which will provide extra protection against the elements. This will prevent the wood from becoming rotted or damaged by moisture, sun exposure and insects.
Alternatively, you can opt for a vinyl garden fence. This is a more modern option that offers the same visual appeal as wood with less maintenance. Vinyl is a durable material that resists rot, pests and harsh weather conditions, and it comes in a range of colors to match your home and garden.
Another way to improve the aesthetic of a garden fence is by incorporating climbers into its design. Whether it’s a beautiful vine or a delicate flower, these will give your fence a more natural and organic appearance. They will also add extra shade and help to keep the wind off your plants.
The color of your garden fence is an important consideration. It can have a huge impact on the atmosphere of your garden, from creating a calming and serene environment to infusing it with energy and vibrancy. To help you find the perfect color for your fence, use the color wheel to identify complementary or analogous colors that work well together.