More durable fence ideas?

tivia · March 18, 2016

Hi all,

I'd like some ideas on how to upgrade/replace my fence around my little garden such that it is more durable/rot resistant. . .

The pictures below show the fence around my garden; it's approximately 11x12 feet, and is built up to compensate for the slope in our yard.

There are two in-ground beds on either side; I use the center section to plant in 5 gallon pots.

The issue is that some of the posts that are driven into the ground have rotted all the way through (if you can see this at the soil line in the third picture)

Bonus points for suggesting a type of fencing that is capable of keeping out squirrels/baby bunnies/kittens (yes, I had all three in there last season!)

Some of you have such beautiful garden set-ups that I'm sure you might have some ideas for me!

Thanks in advance
Marie

Gardeneer · March 20, 2016

For baby bunnies you can get what is called "Rabbit Fence" and run it around the base. But you have to bury it maybe 6-8" into ground.
For squirrels, SORRY, there is no cure. Unless you make a big box of wire cloth over your garden, like an animal cage. .

PhilaGardener · March 20, 2016

Not unattractive, but very small. You could use metal posts to get around the problems of wood rotting. I see the end timbers are working their way outward in the second picture. You might pin them to the ends of the side timbers to hold them in place.

oakley · March 20, 2016

You can extend the life of your buried posts by brushing them with melted paraffin or beeswax before setting in place...or when replacing. It would be painful to start over completely as most of it above ground looks good.

Squirrels do what they do but i don't find them the evils as much as the bunnies. I had to finally put up chicken wire on frames to place around my raised beds.

tivia · March 21, 2016

Thanks, all-- this is the information I was looking for. The support posts are the problem, since they're rotting below the soil line-- the fencing itself is still solid.

As for the critters, I'll probably add some sort of chicken wire or rabbit fence over the fence boards. The squirrels seem to only be a problem when the weather is dry; I think they partake of the tomatoes as a source of water. I never had rabbit problems until last season, when a mother rabbit decided that a lavender plant in the garden was the perfect spot to have her babies-- twice! It was quite a sight-- it looked like baby bunnies were bubbling out of the ground! I took pictures, but they didn't come out very well. Needless to day, I'm transplanting the lavender to a different place this year.

Marie

Cole_Robbie · March 21, 2016

The "right" way is to rip everything out and start over. I would probably just drive some new posts next to the rotted ones to prop it up. Depending on how much your neighbors complain, I would buy some 2x4s and frame the fence up higher. Then put some of the cheap plastic wildlife netting over the frame, like this stuff: http://www.menards.com/main/building...93314229843959

It is invisible from a distance, so shouldn't be too much of an eyesore.

My Foot Smells · March 21, 2016

cute and nice neighborhood, feel like benjamin franklin is nearby. i would search salvage for an old colonial iron fence w/ matching arbor entry and redo the wood base with blue slate.

personally think i would just take the fence down, as it is not providing a service. the "good" wood can be reclaimed and make some garden bed configuration. The only thing having to navigate the gate is you, all others have access.

looks like ivy grows well, ........ which begs the question of natural landscape.

call before you dig.

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March 20, 2016	#2
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,918	For baby bunnies you can get what is called "Rabbit Fence" and run it around the base. But you have to bury it maybe 6-8" into ground. For squirrels, SORRY, there is no cure. Unless you make a big box of wire cloth over your garden, like an animal cage. .

March 20, 2016	#3
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	Not unattractive, but very small. You could use metal posts to get around the problems of wood rotting. I see the end timbers are working their way outward in the second picture. You might pin them to the ends of the side timbers to hold them in place.

March 20, 2016	#4
oakley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NewYork 5a Posts: 2,303	You can extend the life of your buried posts by brushing them with melted paraffin or beeswax *before* setting in place...or when replacing. It would be painful to start over completely as most of it above ground looks good. Squirrels do what they do but i don't find them the evils as much as the bunnies. I had to finally put up chicken wire on frames to place around my raised beds.

March 21, 2016	#5
tivia Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 24	Thanks, all-- this is the information I was looking for. The support posts are the problem, since they're rotting below the soil line-- the fencing itself is still solid. As for the critters, I'll probably add some sort of chicken wire or rabbit fence over the fence boards. The squirrels seem to only be a problem when the weather is dry; I think they partake of the tomatoes as a source of water. I never had rabbit problems until last season, when a mother rabbit decided that a lavender plant in the garden was the perfect spot to have her babies-- twice! It was quite a sight-- it looked like baby bunnies were bubbling out of the ground! I took pictures, but they didn't come out very well. Needless to day, I'm transplanting the lavender to a different place this year. Marie

March 21, 2016	#6
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	The "right" way is to rip everything out and start over. I would probably just drive some new posts next to the rotted ones to prop it up. Depending on how much your neighbors complain, I would buy some 2x4s and frame the fence up higher. Then put some of the cheap plastic wildlife netting over the frame, like this stuff: http://www.menards.com/main/building...93314229843959 It is invisible from a distance, so shouldn't be too much of an eyesore.

March 21, 2016	#7
My Foot Smells Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas Posts: 1,239	cute and nice neighborhood, feel like benjamin franklin is nearby. i would search salvage for an old colonial iron fence w/ matching arbor entry and redo the wood base with blue slate. personally think i would just take the fence down, as it is not providing a service. the "good" wood can be reclaimed and make some garden bed configuration. The only thing having to navigate the gate is you, all others have access. looks like ivy grows well, ........ which begs the question of natural landscape. call before you dig.