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Posted: May/13/2006 5:48 PM PST
I'm new to gardening and am seeking advice for a 20' X 20' garden. I'm planning to have a fence installed with a 1" screen (vinyl coated) burried 2' underground (I have groundhog problems), and up to top of fence (5') above ground. I'm Having trouble deciding on the type of fence material to use. The garden is visisble from the main road, so I'd prefer to use wood. One landscaper suggested split rail, while another suggested treated lumber with posts concreted into the gound. The latter said that the treated lumber would allow for the screen to hold nicely on a flat surface. Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! David |
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Posted: May/13/2006 9:51 PM PST
David, do you have pictures of your home/yard that you can post? it's hard to tell what will look nice w/o knowing what your space looks like. |
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Posted: May/14/2006 3:49 PM PST
Here are two pictures. The first is of the house, and the second is where the garden fence will be built (between the garage and the line of trees). Sorry for the tank blocking the house (Hummer is not mine....relatives were visiting). Thanks, David Attachments:   |
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Posted: May/14/2006 3:54 PM PST
I think a split rail would look real nice there. |
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Posted: May/14/2006 4:32 PM PST
have you checked out that vinyl fencing? it's maintainence free and you can match it to that white picket fence you have going on by the house. |
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Posted: May/14/2006 7:58 PM PST
Treated lumber can be pricey but that is the way I would go |
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Posted: May/14/2006 10:35 PM PST
Thanks for your opinions and advice. I'm also wondering what flowers work well as border plants around the outside of the garden fence. Anything that will deter critters? Climb the fence and offer long lasting color? One final question regarding the pressure treated lumber. I've read that certain types of PTL containing arsenic can leech into the soil. Anyone know more about this? Thanks! David |
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Posted: May/14/2006 10:57 PM PST
i have heard this, too. i used treated lumber to make a raised bed but i grow flowers(not edibles) in it so i'm not concerned. the flowers do very well. i also was told by Home Depot where i bought the lumber that they aren't using arsenic anymore. not sure what they're treating the wood w/now if this is true. |
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Posted: May/14/2006 11:06 PM PST
Here's an article about pressure treated wood and your gardens. Hope this helps you. http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g000 28.asp |
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Posted: May/15/2006 2:58 AM PST
Hi, One thing a landscape architect friend of mine told me when I was planning my fence is that it doesn't have to be the same all the way around the garden. Varying heights, adding lattices, making some areas taller and some not so tall adds interest as well as gives more options for planting. Also some areas can be more private and some more public/open. Also, another tip is to "lure" people away from the house/immediate vicinity (apparently most people only use the 1/3 of the closest to the house), so planning a little gazebo or arbour/seating area in the corner out of the way might be a nice way to use more of your garden space. The same friend designed a screened-in eating area/gazebo away from the house to entice outdoor eating w/o the bugs/critters. I think if I had the space like you do, that would be a nice idea (btw - love your house and lot location). As for PTL - I think the arsnic treatment is banned here in Canada, or at least there was so much outcry that it's no longer available. When my dad built the kids a playframe (2 years ago) he looked into it and all the newly treated lumber is kid/leaching safe. I'm not sure where you are, but you might have regulatory boards that could answer that for you. As for the vinyl fencing - a house down the street has it. It looks really nice, and as fozbot3 says, it's maintenace free. As for plants: there are far more qualified people here than I to offer advice, though knowing your zone would be helpful. We don't have a lot of critter problems where I live (at least I don't luckily  ), but clematis are really my thing right now, and some nice hardy, easy care roses are great. I've always been a bit scared of roses, as I thought they were a lot of work, but there are many types that aren't and many of the hardy varieties are very easy.  Oh, one thing you might want to do is add a little 'secret' gate from your garden into the wood/gully side, so you can slip out and enjoy an evening stroll or a morning meander w/o having to go out the front/back. |
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