Monday, February 13, 2012

FENCE STYLES FOR THE GARDEN DECISIONS DECISIONS

One problem we are running into is trying to determine the type of fence we should put around the garden.  It's going to be a more or less do it yourself kind of project, as long as having some expert friends help doesn't disqualify that description.  If it will ever stop raining on the weekends only rain during the week, I could get the garden spot cleared of brush and grass.  My thinking is that regardless of getting it cleared, we need a fence around the garden space sooner rather than later.  No point in having raised beds put in (have the wood for those all ready to go) and not be able to keep critters out.

So then I got online and started looking at fences for ideas (and inspiration!) and my mind is so confused right now.  There are just SO many ways to go.

Below are just a few pics I found, randomly sourced online:





As you can see, the more I find the more confused I get.  I like all of these, obviously each for a different reason.  My most favorite is the one above, a split rail.  It just LOOKS like a farm fence to me, but barring mesh of some sort, it's the least practical for keeping out animals.  I like the first couple because I've always thought a picket fence (painted or unpainted) is so pretty.  A lot of those have the wire mesh on the backside which keeps 'things' out.

Our animal problem is not really deer.  2nd Family just told me today that they have never had a problem with deer, but then again, their dogs could have something to do with that.  She said that deer might just hang around our direction since it's dog free, but they've only seen them up there a few times.  Most of the land around ours is just cattle crazing and not conducive to lots of deer.  As I posted Friday, rabbits are around, but again, 2nd Family said they haven't had rabbits in droves.  The main problems in their garden are opossums and raccoons.  She said they are very good climbers. 

We realize that nothing short of an enclosed box will keep everything out, but I'm not sure how elaborate we will have to go, or how elaborate we need to go.  I don't want something too 'temporary' because we won't be out there often enough to see how it works in action, so we'd rather set some posts in some quickrete and get something that's going to last more than a season or two.

Any thoughts?
Suggestions?
Websites you've see with great ideas?

25 comments:

  1. wyes the split rail is the nicest looking but it would only keep a horse or elephant in your garden.....(no good for chickens)

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    1. Yeah, I LOVE the split rail. Y'all aren't making this any easier, lol.

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  2. I like #5. Clean lines and chicken wire is reasonably priced!

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    1. Too funny, that's my favorite of the "big fences". I liked the clean lines and sort of "open" feel of it.

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  3. Oh boy. I'm no help. I like them all.
    I just know that deer WILL appear as soon as the food does. And so you better go TALL.
    I have 5 ft tall fencing with 2' poultry netting running around the base inside to keep out the rabbits. Buy now the darn turkeys have started flying in. It's never ending. Get a good dog. I can't because of travel, but really, it's the only way to keep the masses out!

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    1. I'm reasonably sure there are no turkey's here, but I was thinking either 4' or 5' if I went with tall. I so wish we could have a dog, but we aren't living out there full time and our house now is small and the yard is all concrete so it wouldn't be fair to a dog. Someday, we will. But until then, I'll have to be creative, ha.

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  4. Agree it should look nice, but in this instance, practicality is the number one priority if it's to keep your raised beds safe. There is nothing worse than seeing all your hard-grown veggies trampled and nibbled. Of course, if you do get dogs, then you may need to keep them out too if they're anything like mine!

    http://vonniethehappyhippy.blogspot.com/2011/11/puppies-seedlings-waste-of-time.html

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    1. Yes, I won't something that looks good but you're right, above all else it needs to be practical and keep things protected. Now I must say, those are some DARN cute pups you have there. I know they are bigger now, but wow, how could you be upset with those faces?? LOL!

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  5. Garden protection should be your #1 priority. A dog might help, but dogs dig and lay in the beds, too. I'd go for a pretty fence with a poultry netting backing on it. And bury the poultry netting a few inches under the fence, 'cause the critters will dig underneath. OR go for pretty, then fence in your planting beds like our friend EG did in his garden

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zmt2zy0K7c&feature=player_embedded#!

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    1. Leave it to Granny to push me back toward "pretty"!!!! After thinking tall, now I'm back to liking split rail or picket! ha.

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  6. I've always loved the split rail.

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  7. Happy Valentine's Day First and Second Man!! I hope you have a lovely dinner with a fabulous bottle of wine!

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    1. Awww, thanks for that!!! Not sure what's on the menu but I'll let you know! And same to you and hubbs!

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  8. Putting up fencing is such a pain! My advice is plan for the worst so you don't have to re-do the fence again. All it takes is one visit from a deer and you'll be screaming for taller fencing. If they're around, they'll eventually stop by for a snack.

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    1. Thanks for the words of advice. Yeah, I think it was Sue who told me once that 'if we build it, they will come', referring to deer and gardens. And like you said, I'd hate to go to all that work and then have it not be adequate...

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  9. I also like #5. It seems to prevent anything from getting in and stealing your goods. Some of these are really beautiful, but since you need protection from creatures, you may have to go with a sure thing. Also, would you be creating more than one space? You may one to start slow and see how it goes before you do too much and have to redo it all over again. Good luck.

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    1. Hello Andi! #5 seems to be popular. Yes, it looks like the best solution at getting stuff protected. I was going to start small, and probably will with the veggie garden beds themselves, but thought about just fencing in the entire space now, while we had the resources to do it, instead of expanding later on. It seems like a lot of work but I think it the long run, it will be ok, but who knows. I may create something small first. Hmm, an enclosed herb garden? Not sure. Good idea that's for sure! Thanks!

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  10. My first choice is white picket just because it is so dang pretty around a garden, but not the most practical. I have 6 ft chain link around my garden because it won't rot like wood or blow over (I am in the TX panhandle where the wind blows like crazy) and keeps pretty much everything out....but alas, it is not pretty nor charming like picket. It is pretty with morning glories growing all over it though. I have seen rabbits outside the fence but not inside. The only thing that has dug under so far has been box turtles! Can hardly wait to see what you put up. Whatever you choose, the garden inside will be beautiful.

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    1. Carol, you know, I didn't post a chain link fence pic but that's not because it wasn't on our list. Sure it's not charming, but it's probably ultimately the best solution. I'll keep that under consideration. Thanks about the garden comments, I sure hope you're right! Ha. Thanks for visiting and thanks for coming by, hope you'll be a regular visitor!!!

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  11. As much as I'd love to have pretty garden fence we were forced to use the 6 foot metal fencing to prevent deer from completely ravaging anything we plant. Unfortunately one of our neighbors feeds them so daily we see horde of 6 to 24 deers on our property :(

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  12. I love, love, love the white picket fence. I have the sturdy re-enforced posts with heavy gauge woven wire. Had to keep the garden safe from the chickens and the chickens safe from coyotes and dogs.

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  13. I love the 3 in the middle, especially the 2nd fence. I have a temporary fence up to keep the groundhogs out, which is not working so I had to use live traps. I trapped 7 last season. The picket fence, which I believe is called Williamsburg, is pretty too.

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    1. Hi and welcome!!! Picket fences are so pretty but not sure how practical they are, ha. Groundhogs? Holy cow glad we don't have to fight them too. Yeah, I really like the 2nd one in the middle too. We might end up with different fences in different areas, ha.

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