Fences Should Not Be Visible in Urban Gardens – To what extent do you agree?

That’s what we have had to do. But their dogs keep getting into our garden. What it needs is for them to out up a proper dog proof fence but they refuse.

 

Not just Dog proof fencing but also Cat proof fencing may help defer a lot of neighbour "disputes" too

 

Chocolate is bad for folks, so is caramel, it's not even good for people's teeth, if they have any left.

I am much more concerned about the shrinkage of fences, whilst their prices increase; and very ironic for those who have to pay for fences which, ultimately, they don’t even want to see!

 

Sorry, it got into the wrong thread…

 

That's awful. There is no law that says they have to erect a fence - even if they are responsible for the boundary. But by law they are supposed to control their dogs. So if no secure fence, they can't leave them out in the garden.

 

Fences make wonderful supports for climbing plants and 'wall' shrubs, as long as they're well constructed, preferably with concrete posts. It's easy to fit wires or cables for plants that need tying in, or even a run of chicken/sheep wire for twining climbers. Walls are even better, but who can afford them nowadays? Anyone remember Stone House in (I think) Gloucestershire? The owner was a big fan of climbers so he built walls and 'follies' all over his land to grow them on
But back to the point of the thread.....in very urban gardens, a smart, well-kept fence can be a feature in it's own right, but where that involves painting or staining, not very practical for growing plants on.

 

THAT is very funny!!! Thank you for telling me, though.

 

Of course, I remember John Stonehouse! Who doesn't?!

 

A fence made out of horizontal lengths of wood like cedar can be an attractive feature, if you can be bothered to maintain it with oil or preservative . For me, fences are a necessary evil in a suburban garden to mark the boundary of your property and provide some privacy and security. I don’t like my fencing as there were several instalments of different ages of wood here when I moved in. I’ve painted it black, which makes it less obvious, and almost hidden it now with hedging, shrubs and climbers. I’d rather have a vast open space with no neighbours or fencing!

 

Like the Australian Outback, @Plantminded. Even they tried a rabbit-proof fence.

 

I was thinking more of a stately home with deer park @ViewAhead. (I’m not sure that I have the patience to deal with all the staff .)

 

I like my fences.

My neighbours at all three boundaries did not contribute a penny to my first one and after the hillbillies to the east side let their kids used it to practise board checking for hockey it was destroyed.

When I replaced it, I did it on both sides to match. In brown coated chainlink and added privacy slats. And I sent them a registered letter to them not to affix anything to it or damage it way or they would be teacing the entire thing.

I had a survey done to make sure my fence is 100% on my property butting up to the property line.

The hillbillies are still next to me and the other side has new neighbours who are kind and like the fence because they have a wee pup.

I do try to grow clematis, sweet peas and nasturtium to "pretty" it up in the summer.

A hedge would use up too much of my gardening real estate.

I like fences. It defines my territory and possibly is a silent and polite way to say, "By invitation only"

My hillbilly side of the house is fenced all the way to the property line but once out front of the house, it is changed over to a pricey steel fence that is a little classier. That's what the budget could manage.

Your money, your choice!

 

I also view fences as necessary but not very nice to look at. Without plants to soften them, you feel boxed in, like being in a prison yard I don't think you need to cover every single inch of fencing though. It's definitely good to break up the line formed by the top of the fencing with trees / tall shrubs /climbing plants in my opinion, and then take it from there.