Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States, with just over a quarter of Americans cultivating their own garden. Whether you spend your time growing beautiful flower beds or fruits and veggies for your family, gardening can be a fun and relaxing way to spend your time outside.
Of course, gardening can also be a real headache — especially when the neighborhood critters get their hands on your plants. Luckily, you can protect your precious garden by installing a proper garden fence.
Why You Need a Garden Fence
There are many reasons to have a fence around your garden. A fence can add charm and beauty to your garden, while giving your plants some practical benefits as well. Some benefits include:
Keep Critters Away
One of the greatest challenges for any gardener is dealing with the critters who want to get your plans. Rabbits, squirrels, deer, and other animals love locally-grown produce and flowers just as much as we do. If you’re not careful, your garden can easily become a buffet.
Separate the Garden from the Rest of the Yard
If you share yard space with your neighbors, a garden fence is vital to help you denote where your patch ends and another begins. Even if your garden is located on your own property, a fence can help your neighbors, friends and family differentiate between the garden and yard space. With a fence, you don’t have to worry about anyone accidentally tramping through your ramps or picking your petunias.
Control the Growing Environment
There are many elements of gardening that you can’t always control — namely, the elements themselves. However, a garden fence can help you gain a little more control over the way the elements affect your plants. A fence can be a partial barrier from the wind, and it can help limit the amount of sunlight that sensitive flowers or plants receive.
Add Beauty to Your Yard
Finally, a garden fence can add a touch of personality to your outdoor space. This can be a great way to beautify and make your garden more of a focal point.
Garden Fence Types
Garden fences are great for both flower gardens and growing crops. However, not every fence is suitable for every garden. The type of fencing you need will depend on what you’re growing and what problems you’re facing.
For example, if you are growing a flower garden in a relatively pest-free area, you have a little more freedom with the type of fence you can use. You can use white lattice wood for a classic look, or opt for woven wire for a more subtle fence that lets your flowers be the focus. Both options will offer the protection you need — in this case, it’s all about the aesthetics.
But let’s say you’ve noticed that your garden is overrun with critters. You’re going to need to step up your fence game. The fence you need will depend on what you’re growing and who is infiltrating your space. For example, deer require at least 8-foot tall fencing and a double-fenced system (two fences at least 3 feet apart) for an effective deterrent, while groundhogs and woodchucks need both tall fencing and buried fencing that prevents them from burrowing under the fence line.
Before you build your fence, make sure you thoroughly assess your needs so you can select the right fencing for your garden.
Building a Garden Fence
Garden fences are relatively simple to build and install. All you need is a little know-how, a few friends to help you, and (of course), the right equipment.
Choose the Material
The first thing you will want to do is decide what type of material you want to use for your fence. You can use wooden posts, vinyl posts, woven wire on a metal frame — the possibilities are endless.
Assess your unique needs and the look you want to achieve, and then choose a material that checks every box.
Install Wire Fencing
Even if you decide to use wood or vinyl fencing for your garden, you will also want to include some wire fencing around the garden perimeter. This will help you keep small critters out.
To install your wire fencing, start by setting posts at the four corners of your garden. Depending on the size of your garden, you’ll need to decide how far apart your posts should be. For a large garden, set t-posts 8 to 12 feet apart along the fence line, and then unroll your wire fencing along the length between the posts. Use a fence stretching tool to pull the fence taught and then secure it to the t-posts with clips or zip ties.
Finally, purchase a gate from your favorite hardware or fencing store and install it in a convenient location along the fence line. Once you’ve done that, your wire fence is complete and your garden is effectively protected.
Install Netting
If you find that birds are becoming a problem for your garden, you can also install some netting to restrict their access to your plants. Simply attach some netting to the top of your posts and stretch it across the entirety of your garden, making sure that all your tall plants fit comfortably underneath it.
With these tips, you can create a beautiful and effective garden fence that will help your plants and produce thrive all season long. And when you get your wire fencing from Red Brand Fence, you can be certain that your plants will be safe and secure from any critters that come their way.
Visit Red Brand online today to find the perfect fencing for your garden, farm, or livestock.