This month's topic for Garden Blogger's Design Workshop is one on which I could use some help. A garden needs some kind of enclosure, either a hedge, a wall or a fence as a background and frame for the garden. When I bought this property, I was looking for a fenced yard to keep my two dogs in. The fence is also very helpful in keeping critters like rabbits out. The old adage goes "Good fences make for good neighbors," but my fence isn't a good fence anymore.
The fence has not been replaced yet because I can't decide if we should try a fake wood fence or simply put up another wooden stockade fence.Most of the fences enclosing Squirrelhaven are not mine. The chainlink fence belongs to the homeowner's association on the other side.
Nearly all of the stockade fence backing the woodland garden belongs to the next-door neighbors, while the slatted fence belongs to the other neighbors.
So what I have is three different fences, one of which needs replacement.
The stockade fence was here when I bought the property. When I added a gate, I decided not to stain it so that it would blend in with the old fencing. As this photo shows,
the weathered fencing fades into the background during the summer. If the old fence were to be replaced with fake wood, it would not be as unobtrusive. However, the composite material fencing would last longer. I dread having new fencing installed, as some plants will be trodden on by the fence installers. Any replacement fencing would have to be solid, rather than slatted, to keep out the rabbits, who slip into the yard between the slats.
Another problem is the chainlink fence. To describe it as not attractive is a vast understatement. I have allowed a wild grape to grow on it to camouflage it during the growing season.
I would put a more appealing fence in front of it, but we enjoy the view of the pond. As a partial solution, I planted Thuja occidentalis at the south end of the fence, where screening is needed.
I just don't know what to do about the center section.
Eventually, all those Box Elder trees (Acer negundo) will be removed, as they are growing into the powerlines.So, should I replace the old stockade fence with a composite-based fence, or with more stockade fencing? Or should I get a better grade of wood fence and stain it dark gray? Should I put any sort of fencing in front of the chainlink fence or leave it as is? Any suggestions?
17 comments:
Hmmm...quite a dilemma. I'm curious if you've seen how the composite fence weathers over time? I haven't, but I've seen decking made from that composite material and it seems to look warped and powdery after a number of years. Of course, the newer composites are probably better. I think my preference (since it's not my money) would be to replace the existing stockade fence with a new wood stockade or board fence stained dark gray. I can see why you wouldn't want to block the view of the pond totally, but maybe you'd consider a gray-stained, wooden picket fence of the same height in front of it, perhaps with the tops of the pickets cut in the same style as the solid fence to tie the two fences together visually.
I wrote a post about this fence dilimma today too. You can read what I wrote at my blog.
I can tell you I don't like the shiny white plastic fences. It just looks tooo WHITE to me.
I would try to keep it all looking the same unless you can afford to plant some big plants to hide offending/different fence materials.
I have chain line too. I have planted vines to grow upon the chain link. They are slowly making it tolerable. I have no one to blame but me for the chain link. I consider it a lesson learned. No chain link from now on unless I can't afford wood and let the wood go natural.
I had the same stockade-falling-down-50 year old fence until last year when I replaced it with a lattice-topped cedar. Love it and it'll eventually turn gray so you don't have to stain it.
A good way to hide chain link is to either paint it black or construct some framed lattice panels and attach them with wire. Planting vines on the panels will soften the look.
No way, shape or form could anyone give me a composite fence. Like anything fake or plastic it's just plain butt ugly and I don't care how practical it is.
Nan Ondra - thanks for the warning about the composite materials. The more I read & think about it, the more convinced I am about going with real wood. I like the idea of putting a wood picket in front of the chainlink fence.
Lisa - I read your post & considered the photo of the white composite. I think I'll go with the wood.
Carolyn Gail - I don't think I can paint the chainlink because it's not mine. The suggestion about lattice panels in front definitely has merit. I'll be spending a lot of time this winter comparing costs & considering my options.
Hi there! Thanks for visiting my blog! I updated it to include a link to this article for you! :-) I have to say I'm with everyone else here--if you can't paint the chain link, then lattic panels are a good option. As for the rest: I love cedar fences and even though people talk about the durablity of plastic, I don't think I could do it. Either way, your garden is just lovely!
~Angela :-)
I am an all natural sort so I would only have wood or bamboo. I do like the look of rock walls too.
The chain link is a trouble. I would do the lattice panels and lots of ivy. Thornadale stays green all year in my zone 6. Looking forward to seeing what you do.
Sherry
I was going to mention painting the chain link black or dark green. It fools the eye and makes it fade. Have you visited with the neighbors about it? They might also prefer to have it painted... so they can enjoy your flowers better! :-)
I'm on a local conservation board that had a similar situation with chain link on a pedestrian bridge in a scenic area. The chain link gets "in the way." It didn't get painted, but a local artist recommended (which is what we did) having thin Cor-ten steel cut in rather abstract tree shapes and fastened to the fencing. Cor-ten rusts almost immediately, a nice effect. It rusts but the rust doesn't run or stain, and the rusted steel doesn't weaken.
I don't know the cost of Cor-ten, but a couple of tree shapes might be nice.
Also, does your fence need to be tall? Perhaps a shorter one, similar to what you already have, would be less expensive. Do you dislike "slatted" fences?
I've heard that slatted fences take less wear and tear from the weather because they allow the breezes to travel through.
I'll be interested in what you decide! Thanks for letting us "help!" ;-)
I'm sorry I neglected to add that you have a lovely yard! :-)
Ah yes, the well know fence problems. First off: have you considered growing ivy up against that horrible (poor you) chain link fence? Are you allowed to do so as it would make a vast improvement.
Secondly: I'd go for a wooden fence. If you use hard wood it will last for a very, very long time and the wood will turn a soft grey and won't be obtrusive at all. That's what I have done too. ;-)
Good luck with finding the solution that works for you!
You know, sometimes procrastination pays off. I'm so glad we didn't do the fence last summer, as my husband was very tempted by the composite fencing. We're definitely going with wood.
Hi Cottage Magpie & Q, thanks for visiting & for the suggestions! I would love a rock wall, but rock is so expensive here in Northern Illinois, that would have to wait until I win the lottery.
Shady Gardener - I'm intrigued by the steel idea. My aunt is an artist so I could ask her for help in coming up with a design. I'll also ask about getting Cor-ten, as she knows some sculptors.
Yolanda Elizabet - I'm afraid of ivy, as I'm already fighting Vinca back there, but maybe a variegated form would be less agressive.
Sounds as though you've gotten great advice here! Aren't fellow bloggers great. I can't wait to see the new fence!
I can't wait to see the new fence either, hopefully within the next 12 months! It is wonderful how helpful other bloggers have been. Thanks everyone.
Our Home Owners Association doesn't allow chain link fences, which is probably a good thing, otherwise I might have another one, (my husband likes them).
Robin - I guess there are some positives to home owner's associations. I don't live in 1, as I'd never want to be a member of an association that would let in someone like me (old Groucho joke). This is the only chainlink fence in that neighborhood. There are no fences between the houses, & the fences along the rest of the property are wood. I still can't decide if that's a good thing or not.
What dilemmas! Wood seems the way to go, but consistency seems to be your overriding problem - three different fence types, yeesh. Makes you almost wish you lived in a prefab housing community where there's at least consistency standards.
I say get an inexpensive wood fence and get creative about ways to make it interesting - climbing plants, trellises, artwork, espaliers, painting/staining, mirrors and knockouts with stained glass or wrought iron are a few thoughts.
Hi, Jim, thanks for the input! Camoflage definitely sounds like a good option. I've asked my uncle, the former shop teacher, to make some kind of freestanding metal sculpture thing of my own design to go in front of the chain link fence in places. Now I just have to figure out what I want it to look like.
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