Inexpensive Ideas for Garden Fencing

Have you ever tried to grow a vegetable garden in your yard when you have dogs? You spend most of the spring getting the soil ready and planting the seeds and/or baby plants and the rest of the summer and early fall watching over your plants like a hawk, making sure no dog with a trigger-happy leg wanders anywhere within ten feet of your veggies. The easiest way to take your mind off of your tomato assassins is to install a garden fence to keep them out. It doesn’t have to be expensive you can even make it removable so you can regain full use of your yard once the annual harvesting is complete. Here are a few inexpensive ideas.

Construction Fencing – I know, it’s not the prettiest material in the world, but it is cheap and easy to use, take down and re-use next year. Plus, you don’t have to purchase the neon orange fence if you don’t want to. There are other color varieties like green or black available to help it fit into your yard’s scheme. The posts needed for the installation are also inexpensive and for even less, you could purchase four posts (one for each corner) and support the middle areas with tomato spikes, weaving the post in and out of the mesh holes to keep the fence straight.

Wooden Fencing – Wood fencing will add a bit of rustic charm to your yard and you can probably find plenty of usable material in the woods near your home. Or, if need be, visit a local building site and inquire about any secondhand wood they may have to offer. The downside is that wood fences aren’t that great at keeping out animals like small dogs or the neighbor’s resident groundhog so chicken wire can be installed along the bottom to help prevent their access.

Picket Fencing – A picket fence not only looks great but it adds a traditional look to your back yard. The primary problem with this type of fence is that it can be a little more costly to build. One solution is to visit a salvage yard or demolition site to see if they have any material that you can use. Picket fencing does require routine maintenance, like painting, for it to maintain its demeanor and charm.

Stone Fencing – Stone is more of a wall than a fence, but it deserves consideration. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find an inexpensive source for flat stones and a well-made stone wall will last for years without needing any maintenance time and effort outside of the original construction. Keep in mind that wherever you construct your stone garden wall; that will be where your garden will be located for many years to come, unless you feel like moving all of those stones again, of course.

Bamboo Fencing – Bamboo fencing is gaining in popularity because it is strong, beautiful and a renewable resource. In many places, bamboo can quickly overtake a property. But, by cutting it and using it to make garden fencing, you can not only have a sturdy fence but keep your yard looking tidy at the same time.

Brick Fencing – Depending on the size of your garden, a short brick or cinderblock wall may be all you need to keep your vegetables safe. Similar to using stone, brick or cinderblock will reduce your flexibility as far as moving your garden, but if you’re happy with its location, these materials are inexpensive and can last for generations.

Before you head to your local home improvement store to begin stocking up on fence building supplies, check some of the more popular online personal ads and your local newspaper. Some people are just giving these materials away if someone is willing to come by and pick them up.

Looking for the right tools for your garden? Check out our Garden Tools Buyer's Guide.

Dave Donovan is a freelance copywriter living in Atco, N.J. An electrician for 15 years, an injury forced him to pursue his true passion - writing.