FENCING OUT THE DOGS

Having 9 separate garden areas and my Rottweiler gang at the same time forces me to come up with some fencing ideas that will look good as well as keeping my four footed “kids” out. Some of my fencing isn’t completely dog proof, but it creates enough of a deterrent that (for the most part) the dogs will find it easier to go around my gardens instead of through them. (pic.1)

A short picket fence along the walkway can guide the dogs to stay on the path. Bluebells form a lovely backdrop to the bright yellow tulips. pic 1

Bluebells, primrose and red trillium are safe from dog feet behind welded wire fencing. pic 2

My first fenced in area I’ll show you is strictly off limits, period. I use it as a nursery to establish enough plants to transplant into other areas. I used welded wire connected to posts. Dog proof. (pic.2)

The next fenced in area is next to the house. I wanted to create a gentle curve around the beds instead of a sharp corner with a white pickets which presented a problem. I found rolls of white picket fencing at K-Mart strung together with wire which I knew would rust eventually and look unsightly. A more permanent solution was to use pvc pipe. I went to my local plumbing supply store, and found the pipe, couplings, and end caps. I cut 3 foot lengths of white pvc for my posts. For added strength, I first pounded metal stakes in the ground, then slipped the pvc pipe over them and finished the pvc pipe off with a white cap. I found if you use a hot air gun, you can heat up the pipe, and it will bend around any object to get a nice curve. I pre-drilled holes in the pipe to attach the pickets and also to attach to the posts.Next, I removed the pickets from the wire (this is easy, they just slip out), and using galvanized screws, attached them onto the pipe. (pic.3)

Red and white astilbe along with pot of gold are fairly safe behind this pvc fence. It was allot of work, but a fairly permanent fence. If anything should happen to any of the pickets, they can easily be replaced. Note: From my own experience, puppies love to chew on the wooden pickets (sigh). pic 3

Speaking of puppies in the garden, what damage they can create!!!! For a temporary solution, I bought a roll of chicken wire and slipped it over the top of, and down in front of the pickets and finally using twist ties, secured it in place to the fence.

“Flowers? What flowers? Oh, it wasn’t me, it was this other guy that looked just like me”

It worked well until my plants grew large enough to pass threw the wire (another sigh). (pic.4)

Three years ago, I extended my garden down into the woods. The garden was quite large, and I didn’t want a fence to spoil the “open” look of the wooded area yet I also didn’t want the dogs in it. I was inspired after reading an article in a magazine about a man making bent wood furniture. (pic. 5)

I like the look of the wood far more than the wire. I can also custom make the height of the fence.I set out into the woods looking for fairly heavy branches and saplings. The best time of the year was spring when the sap was running in the maples making them nice and pliable. Using a rebar stake and small sledge hammer, I made holes in the ground for the ends of the wood to go into. they were pliable enough to bend into an upside down “U” shape, slipping the other end into another hole. I overlapped them and for extra strength, tied one more straight stick horizontally with twine roping. (pic. 6)Ivy helps make the stick fence seem more solid adding even more of a derrerant.
My biggest challenge has been the hillside. The huge boulders at the bottom have made a big statement to the dogs that “this is off limits”! From day one, I have warned them not to even think of putting a foot on those boulders, much less go up there. So far, they have listened but I can only keep my fingers crossed for the future.

The dogs are deterred from going into this woodland garden using the stick fence. Red and white tulips, hyacinths and primrose fill the triangle shaped nitch. Notice the green down in the woods? That’s all bluebells.

My finishing touch to make the fence look more solid was to plant ivy (which I have an abundance of) and let it wind up around the fence. Eventually, it completely covered the fence giving it a wonderful, natural look. (pic.7)