How to Design a Garden Fence
Gardeners can let their imaginations run wild when designing fences, but practicality should be the ultimate guide. The goal of garden fence design should be to protect and enhance the appearance of the designated areas. Gardeners should proceed deliberately to ensure that plants aren't compromised in the process. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Description and layout of area to be fenced
- Online or paper design kit
- Tape measure
- Landscape photos (optional)
Instructions
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Border patrol
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Carefully evaluate the area to be fenced. Determine whether the fence's purpose is to protect or adorn, or both. Measure the area and determine the desired fence height.
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Identify where utility and sewer lines are placed to avoid hazards when digging fence-post holes. Consult community guidelines, where applicable, to ensure your design is in compliance. Observe all property boundaries.
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Monitor variations in wind and sunlight in the area to be fenced. Fences can help restrict wind flow, but they can also cast shadows on plants.
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Determine which fencing materials will work best for your area. In some cases, a fence's main purpose is to shield plants from pets, pedestrians and pests. In other cases, fences are meant to promote a theme: bamboo in a Japanese garden, or hammered steel in a more eclectic one.
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Anticipate where certain plants in the proposed fenced area might grow fuller, or where ornamental garden fixtures might be placed. Fences constructed of heavier materials--stone or heavy metal--may be harder to alter or remove.
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Tips & Warnings
Walk around your neighborhood to glean garden fence ideas.
Make a realistic budget for fence additions.Weigh the costs and benefits of installing fences yourself or having them designed and installed professionally.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit flickr:ralphoechsle
