For some, a garden fence is there to serve a simple security purpose. While a fence is unlikely to keep hungry little critters out of the fruits and vegetables, it can still provide that physical border to set your garden apart. There’s no need to put up a fence that’s an eyesore, especially if the location you’re placing the fence in is visible to others in the neighborhood.
Luckily, there are as many different types of fencing to keep your garden safe as there are people, with an almost endless amount of variety. Let’s look at some of the kinds of garden fencing that you can use that will not only provide some security for your garden but will also add to the curb appeal of your home. Also, consider your garden set up when choosing a fence. A bigger garden would require a more robust fence, however, a smaller garden may require something more whimsical.
White Picket Fence
We’ll start with a classic. For decades, a home with a white picket fence was the dream of people everywhere. While dreams may have changed, there’s still a certain charm in placing a white picket fence on your property, especially if it’s visible to others.
Those classic good looks come with a cost, though, upkeep. A white picket fence requires time to keep it clean, painted, and fresh looking, and that’s not counting replacing the inevitable broken or damaged picket.
One of those possible maintenance issues can be avoided, though. While it’s a classic look, there’s no reason a picket fence must be white, and another, easier to maintain, color can still add a beautiful touch to your garden area.
Stone Wall
There’s a lot to be said for the simplicity of a stone wall. A well-built stone wall requires no mortar or posts, and while this may sound like a wall that would be easy to topple, nothing could be further from the truth.
A properly constructed stone wall will most likely outlive you…and your grandchildren.
Brick Fence
While this isn’t a stone wall, a brick fence is another excellent option when placing a fence around your garden. If you can find old bricks that someone doesn’t want, you can build this type of fence for the cost of the mortar and time.
A brick fence doesn’t have to be a solid wall; spacing the bricks as you place them to leave gaps can provide some visibility while keeping things secure. The size of the gaps is up to you and can easily be made as large as a single brick.
Of course, you can also make a solid wall instead of a gapped brick fence, but this will have a higher cost and take more time to build.
Bamboo Fence
Bamboo is another option that is very low maintenance, and it has the bonus of being inexpensive compared to other types of fencing. If you live in an area that has too much bamboo, you may even be able to get the bamboo for your garden fence for free. If you’re looking for inspiration on what a bamboo fence could bring to your garden, check out Bamboo Import’s site for some bamboo fencing ideas.
Bamboo is a durable material, and if you construct a bamboo fence well, it will stand up to a lot of punishment, even with no paint or coating. You can buy bamboo fence panels that are already put together, but if you’re willing to put in the work to tie the bamboo together correctly, you can have a beautiful garden fence for minimal cost.
Iron Fence
This may sound like more trouble than you want, but an iron fence will add some flair to your garden area.
The best part is that this, too, is a fence that can be put up for little cost, assuming you can find some iron fencing at a salvage yard. The addition it makes to the look of your garden area can be taken to an incredible level by using climbing plants that will cover the fence in a similar fashion to a vertical wall garden, giving you a fantastic look for little cost. Also, an iron fence will provide all the security you need. Gardening Know How provides some examples of what you could grow on an iron fence.
Wooden Fence
While providing almost no security, a rustic wooden fence around your garden area can provide charm that you can’t achieve with other fencing types. This style of fencing can be seen in almost every western movie ever made, and they can be built in a weekend. Everything from wood you find on your property to wood salvaged from other buildings and locations can be used, and it’s a great, unique addition to any property.
The only limits to the type of garden fence you erect lie within your budget, both in terms of money and time. If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out Better Homes and Gardens tips on fencing.
You may also want to consider how much greenery will be hanging over your fence from neighbouring properties. Some trees with large lower hanging branches may add a rustic look to your fenceline. Or, they may be an eyesore making things seems a bit untidy. If you’re looking for some equipment to help you manage any overhanging high greenery, we’ve saved you some time researching what to invest in. Check out these reviews on the best pole saws on the market.