If you've moved onto a property that has a lot of open yard, your first thought may be about what kind of fence will be the best option. For some homeowners, the choice between disrupting the view with a fence or enclosing the yard can be a difficult one. The good news is that you don't have to install a traditional fence. You can get the benefits of the barrier without having to sacrifice the visual benefits. Here's what you should know about opting for a living fence.
Why A Living Fence?
Living fences are created from a combination of small-stature trees and shrubs that will become thick and intertwined. It's a great option for barriers because it eliminates any potential contamination from manufactured fence material. In addition, it contributes to the health of the soil and the water table in the area.
Another great benefit is that it provides a refuge for species like birds, snakes, insects, and even toads. This helps you maintain the environmental balance as well. If you choose your living fence growth properly, it will even give you food, medicine, and shade. Hedge plants like elder are great protein sources, while things like willow and Siberian pea are great livestock fodder and poultry food.
For property that is on flat, open land, a living fence is a great windbreak as well. This is important for helping to preserve your crop plants, prevent erosion, and minimize soil drying. Since they're natural, living fences last as long as the natural lifespan of the plant species. If you choose properly, your living fence will last for hundreds of years.
Creating A Living Fence
If you've decided that a living fence is the solution you want, you need to plant it properly. Start by trenching the entire path where you want the fence to be. Mark the corner points, then work with a trenching company to create the entire path. Keep the trench moderately deep, then backfill the base with some small gravel and a well-balanced soil mixture. Leave about a third of the trench space unfilled.
Add your saplings to the soil in the trench. Remember to stagger the trees and place the shrubs in between, with everything spaced about six inches apart. If you have some plants that will develop vine growth, entangle the existing vines lightly into the other saplings so that everything grows together. Lightly cover the top of the trench with more of the soil, and water the plants carefully. It may take a season or two, but you'll have a thick, strong fence that won't disrupt your landscape.
If you'd like help creating your living fence, contact a fence trenching company in your area.
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