Tuesday, May 7, 2013

RAISED BED GARDEN FENCE UNVEILING

So the garden fence, a year in the deciding, months in the planning, and a couple of weeks in the building, is finally complete.  We love it!  Hope I don't bore you to tears with all these pictures, but I figure you've all been along for the ride through all my fence decisions and garden planning and so here it is: 


Of course, you all remember when I built the beds back when it was cold. Then we had the dirt delivered to fill them.  Then I started planning the fence.  The first thing I had to do was plan the size, taking into account future expansion.  So I settled on 36' wide x 44' long, with two gates.


We had the contractor come out and set the four corner posts so that I could decide if I was happy with that spacing and size.  I was.  Of course, then it had to rain for a week, so things were delayed.



Finally the weather cleared up and he dug the holes for the fence posts.  Here they are put in the ground, again to give us an idea what it would look like, height, etc.




Next up, the posts were all set in concrete and the top railing was put on.  It was starting to come together!

Then came a decision. Did I want thin, ornate pickets, or something else?  You all know about my love of fences of all types.  I decided that thin pickets were just too 'formal' looking.  So I opted for this, a wider than normal fence picket, making it easy to replace/repair, spaced 2" apart.



More rain came the following week but finally, here it is.  Finished!!  I had to wait to take photos until after I mowed and edged so that it was looking it's best, ha. This is the view from just off the porch looking toward the garden.



This is standing inside by the front gate entrance looking toward the back gate.  Notice the vast large amounts of space I still have.  I've planned out the remaining raised beds, phase two this Fall, and phase three next Spring.



In this one, I am standing at the back corner looking toward the front.  You see those two poles at the front gate?  The contractor did those for me as a surprise, giving me a space to put a sign for my garden!



This is near the front corner, looking back toward the house so you can see where it is in relation to the house. I'll get my exercise going back and forth to the garden, that's for sure. 




Here is another angle looking toward the front.  You can see the six raised beds, safely encased in their new fenced home.







The view here is while standing over by the "nosey cows" fence, looking toward the back of the garden.





And this is it from the side, just a clean, long line of nice fence pickets.



This was a last minute decision when I was standing in the 'future' garden site.  I realized it would be nice to not have to walk all the way around the perimeter of the garden to go get a tool, or bring something in, etc.  So I made sure it had a back gate, and just located it opposite the front one.

Here is one of my favorite photos.  So much so, it is now my wallpaper on the computer at my office.

It's inside the garden of course, looking toward the back.  I can see my nosey cow friends, the blue sky, the wispy white clouds, the green grass and trees, the new fence...it's our own little piece of heaven, coming true.

41 comments:

  1. Stunning - absolutely stunning. Are you going to leave it natural, or paint it white like Southfork? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, Southfork, never thought about that. Honestly, I'm torn, I lean toward natural, but white could be cool too. Decisions decisions. I'll probably end up just leaving it natural this first growing season and might change things up next year. We'll see what happens. Thanks again for the kind words.

      Delete
  2. It's beautiful....and such a large area! What fun it will be to follow as you fill all those beds and add even more. I think the next thing you need to build is one of those high seats like lifeguards use at swimming pools. Put it smack dab in the middle of the garden, and make it so it rotates to take in all those breathtaking views. An umbrella and a cool drink finish that picture, LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bahahahaha! oh Annie's Granny is so right about the lifeguard seat...and i wouldn't be surprised if you actually got one - bahahahahah! i can just see you sitting up high in it with your binoculars and zinc on your nose keeping track of what's growing and nosey cows - bahahahahahah! oh man - too funny!

      your friend,
      kymber

      Delete
    2. Granny, you are more than just a master gardener and pretty face....that's brilliant! I need one of those. LOL.

      Kymber I could keep track of cows and the zombie apocalypse!

      Delete
  3. Very nice! Are the pickets close enough together that rascally rabbits can't get in?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are spaced at 2". I'm hoping they are, but I might be putting some chicken wire down along the bottom, just to be on the safe side.

      Delete
  4. It looks spectacular! I like the natural finish. I see someone asked about rabbits but here's another question are deer a problem where you are?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank YOU! Natural looks good doesn't it? Not much of a deer problem. 2nd Family has seen a few over the years, but they have dogs that chase deer and so I think they just sort of avoid the area now, several generations later, ha.

      Delete
  5. oh this is wonderful! if you have rabbit problems, just put chicken wire around the bottom on the inside. you have tons of room!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was thinking about that...I just just staple it? Or just put it in a trench in the ground? I'll have to do googling...

      Delete
  6. 1st Man - THAT fence is gorgeous! i love it just the way it is...but i like natural wood. however, if you decide that you want to paint it, i am sure that you will choose an awesome colour. just not John Deere green ok? bahahahahahah!

    really, tho, it looks fantastic and i know that you love it! great job, buddy!

    your friend,
    kymber

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK, FINE, no JD green, ha. I think it will stay natural, for now anyway. Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated.

      Delete
  7. It's spectacular....fine job !
    I love the dog-eared planks, and hopefully it keep all unwanted critters at bay.
    We have a deer problem, they would think nothing of jumping it, electric fences are a must in these parts :(
    Well done, it's lovely to look at.
    ~Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DOG EARED!!! That's the word, i couldn't remember what the contractor called it. Thanks. No deer problem thankfully. Thanks again.

      Delete
  8. I love the fence. Whitewash would look spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, now don't tempt me with white, I'm almost decided on natural! Ha. Thanks again for the comment, I appreciate it!

      Delete
  9. Who is the person from Decatur, AL? I live in Cullman.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not sure I can help you there. You probably saw over on the side bar someone else visiting from AL? Hope they come back too!!

      Delete
  10. Enjoy life and your new garden fence. it'll be interesting, I'm sure to watch for the coming blogs all about moles, caterpillars, birds, deer etc. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, too funny. You are probably right. Thanks for the well wishes too. You are very sweet!

      Delete
  11. 1st Man,

    Your garden beds and fence look amazing, I love the natural wood. Beautiful pictures!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thank you that means a lot especially coming from another Oklahoman! Even though I'm long transplanted, my farming roots (whatever they may be, ha) originated there with my family history!

      Delete
  12. Oh my Goodness! I LOVE your new fence! It looks great! And I can see why the last picture would be a favorite; it is AMAZING! Love watching your progress, and hope to soon be starting some REAL work with my place (and start my blog back up!) Great Stories, as always! Looking forward to the next post :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, thank you, Those are some nice compliments. Thanks again. Let us know when your blog is back up, we'll be there!!

      Delete
  13. I wish I had more open space in mine. I would put a very large built in potting bench structure, a patio with chairs, and I would have the cold frame and garden shed inside the fence as well as a table for seedlings.
    Nice job! Enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOOH, you are giving me some crazy ideas now. I designed the inside with fitting in remaining raised beds. Hmmm....of course I DO have room outside the fence for some of that, and with the back gate right there, I could put some of that right there too (Potting bench, etc). Thank you! You are smart, Alex. LOL! (couldn't resist). Seriously though, thanks, now my mind is planning!!

      Delete
  14. Beautiful! I love it. You will have so much fun working in there, and adding to it. How cool. I am just a bit jealous. But I'll get over it. Maybe. I look forward to seeing it grow and blossom and bear fruit. And lots of veggies too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, thanks so much. From your lips to God's ears as well! Fingers crossed. Thanks!!!

      Delete
  15. Wow, that is really sweet...very country looking as it serves a great purpose.
    Things are really coming along...what fun to watch :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Slowly but surely. It's a part time project, at least while we are at work during the week, then it's a full time job on the days off, ha. It does seem to fit in with the country huh? Thanks again!

      Delete
  16. It's perfect! Not that I'd expect anything less ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You make me blush. Your yard is so amazing, and you have bees and chickens and all the stuff we want. It means a lot that you took the time to say such kind words. :-)

      Delete
  17. Wow, that is impressive! And I think you did a super job of choosing the right scale for the pickets. Hard to envision ahead of time so special congratulations on that success!
    Fencing is always one of my toughest jobs, as the ground here is just rocks of all sizes, with a little dirt in between. I finally had to hire a fencer to help me last year, as what used to be "very very difficult" is now becoming a bit too much for my arthritis. That fencer was brilliant!!! Now I just have to save up for the next project...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, they did seem more substantial but not too out of place, if that makes sense. We have lots of clay soil so I think digging the holes was a bit difficult for the contractor but he was so awesome (a family friend), but it was something I didn't have in me since i have no knowledge of building anything like that. But who knows, maybe next time I can help/do more myself so that I can help reduce the cost. We'll definitely duplicate the fence elsewhere (future barn area, etc).

      Thank you again.

      Delete
  18. Beautiful fence - I never thought about pickets to keep the rabbits out. We are more concerned about the deer. We just fenced our lower garden/orchard area with 6 ft. tall cyclone fence panels. It looks like a fortress and we have huge peace of mind knowing that deer won't be getting in there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, whatever works right? Yeah, rabbits are the worst creatures we'll have. I think I'll be doing the chicken wire at the bottom edge too. Thankfully, knock on wood, no major deer problem here. I hope you have lots of fruit from your orchard!!!

      Delete
  19. Love, love, love the fence! I am drooling with envy...I have one raised bed, 8' by 4'. And no fence to keep the bunnies out. I can dream! :) Enjoy your oodles of fenced-in space. Can't wait to see it as it grows and evolves!
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, thank you so much. What a nice thing to say (and hello by the way!). I know I could get more in the 8 x 4's that we have but this first year is a test. Might go even more crazy next year. Thanks again for the comment and I'm off to visit your blog and drool over your recipes!

      Delete

Please leave us a comment! I have some comment moderation on and of course will approve your comment relatively quickly. We love feedback and hearing what others have to share with us all. Please know that I can't always reply to it right away, but ALL comments are read. I will reply just as soon as I can so be sure to come back and see my reply.

Now, let us hear from you!