garden fence... any suggestions?

Pirwin21 · Jun 5, 2009

I'm looking to put a fence around my garden, which measures roughly 60' x 100' and a second strawberry patch which measures roughly 30' x 40'. I've priced out 4x4 treated posts and 5/4x6x10's for this job and was amazed to see the figure come in right around $1200. I know lumber is not cheap, but I just don't know if I can justify spending that kind of money on a fence. Anyone have any other suggestions for more cost effective ways to do a fence? The only thing I don't want to do is to do a temporary fence that will probably need to be replaced every year or two. Thanks for the insight.

ultrarunner · Jun 5, 2009

The only fence I know that is just about maintenance free is a property installed cyclone or chain-link fence.

I grew weary of always having to repair the garden fence every year for mom...

Thirty years ago, for Mother's Day my brother and I put in a cyclone fence for her and never another problem...

randy41 · Jun 5, 2009

what are you fencing out?

MikeInEburg · Jun 5, 2009

Our garden is 65X35 and we installed tall (8' above ground) locust posts on the corners and metal Tee posts mid-span. Welded wire fence with bottom foot bent over at 90 degree to keep digging critters out. We plan to install something lightweight, shiny and scary between the corner posts to keep the deer away. Total cost $290.
Mike

mikefromnh · Jun 5, 2009

Electric net fencing?

Electric Net Fencing

Keeps my chickens and other critters out

matt_isserstedt · Jun 5, 2009

I have 37 x 100 garden currently, I built up standard fence "corners" out of treated round posts...smallest 4.5/5.5" class which stick 42" above ground, approx 30" in the ground. The corners are cross-wired for stability in a 90 degree ell.

I used short "T" posts and "rabbit guard" fence which is buried 10" underground to keep out moles. This is a short fence now, and I need something up higher, I was planning a single electrified wire raised up higher to keep out deer, using PVC pipes attached to the wood corners.

As far as birds, I setup all my berries and perennials along the 100' side of the garden. My plan was to buy a roll of Nixalite bird netting and drape this over a 100' long x 4' high and 4' wide cross-section.

The other advantage is that the short ends can either be taken up or folded down for plowing the long length of the garden if I choose to go that route. However it looks like the Troy-Bilt tiller is going to do a fine & reasonably fast job.

I think I have around $200 in the fence above not counting the electrified part which is just plans and the ~$250 bird netting which I don't really need until next year...pinched off all the buds on the first-year plants

2manyrocks · Jun 5, 2009

Like the other guys are saying, 4x4 dimension pressured treated posts from the lumber yard are probably going to cost more than round pressure treated posts from your local farm store. Could cut a little if you can cut your own posts. Run metal t line posts in between the corners. Then probably standard cattle fencing which is about a $170 a roll in mid Tenn.

Think about where you're going to put your gate(s) so you can get your equipment in and out to work your ground.

J35 · Jun 5, 2009

Cattle panels and t-posts easy on the wallet and easy on the body, also easy to move later if the need arises . No holes to dig, no posts to tamp and brace. Easy to make round corners for operating equipment or moving stock.

Panels are 16 feet 4 GA galvanized wire, you can get panel's with either 10 or 13 horizontal wires there both 51 or 52 inches tall

Six foot t-post every eight feet, Galv. 5/8 lock washer's for splicing panels together, 3 per splice, two regular t-post ties per post.

Unless you can cut your own posts, I don't believe you can build a durable fence any cheaper.

Have fun

Erik_in_Hoyt · Jun 6, 2009

cattle panels and 6x6 field fence won't stop rabbits, etc...
I'd go with 2x4 welded wire, wood posts at the corners and center of the long runs and t-posts in between. (like what Mike described)