There are many good reasons to put up a garden fence.  You may want to keep out wildlife or pets.  You may want a decorative fence, or you may want a combination of both.   What you are looking for in your garden fencing will make a difference in the type of fence that you want to install.

The first question to ask yourself then is "Why do I want to install a home garden fence?".    If you want to put one up to primarily keep critters out of your vegetables then you should probably go the utilitarian route.   This is by far the least expensive way to put up fencing and you will find that it works very well.

When it comes to basic functional types of fencing there are basically two varieties.  The first type you can install is a wire garden fence and the second type is a mesh garden fence.  The choice is really up to you, as it depends on what you prefer.   Here are examples of both types.

	Easy Gardener 6050 DeerBlock 7-by-100-Foot Netting

In general the netting or mesh type is less expensive, but they wire type is more durable, so the choice is really up to you.

If your garden serves a primarily decorative purpose or if you have a small backyard vegetable garden then you may want to opt for a decorative garden fence.  This option is generally more expensive (especially if you need to also keep out critters), but is usually also much prettier, and is a good one if you have invested a lot of money in things like landscaping and nice wooden sheds to make your garden area look nice.

When it comes to this type of fence you have plenty of options.  You can go for bamboo, plain wood, a garden picket fence, or many other options.  Most of the time these decorative fences come with posts and garden fence panels.   They also come in functional styles and strictly decorative types of borders.  Here are a few examples.

	Mintcraft Decorative Scroll Garden Fence W52359

These are just a few varieties of garden fencing, there are many more. The most important thing to do when you are installing a decorative fence is to match form with function. You want the fence to do what you want it to do, but you also want it to be a great looking fence.

No matter what type of fencing you decide to install be sure to take time to enjoy your garden.

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Choosing a picket fence design.

Putting a picket fence in your garden can really make your plants pop.  Particularly if you go with a traditional white picket fence look.  There are several styles available to choose from as well as many materials.  You can use it as a backdrop for your flowers like shown in the picture at the top of the page.  This is a great way to use garden fencing.  You can also use an picket fence edging as a border around your bed. Like shown in this product:

	Origin Point 381420 20-Foot x 14-Inch Gard'n Border Wire Picket Fence, Green

The basic rule of thumb is to use one or the other, but not both as it can make your garden look messy. With that being said, you can use both if you are careful and use the 4 foot picket fence as a border for your yard and use the edging strictly in your garden.

Using A Wooden Picket Fence

Using wood for your garden fencing is a classic way to go.  Wood had been used for as long as people have been putting up fences and definately gives a classic look.  You can paint or stain wood any color you like. The only downfall to using wooden fending products is that they do require regular maintanence.

Using A Vinyl Picket Fence

Many people in recent years have started using vinyl in their fence designs.  The reason?  Vinyl is nearly maintenance free.  It is a great product for people who want to set it and forget it, and it looks good too, especially in white.  The only downside to vinyl is that if you want a true wood look, you won't get it with a vinyl product.

No matter what you choose garden picket fencing can really make your flowers stand out.

Picket fencing is a classic in garden designs so it is hard to go wrong.  You can plant nearly any style of garden outside of  Asian or Dessert style gardens and have them look great with this type of garden fencing.  My favorite type of garden with a white picket fence is a rose garden.  They are just perfect that way.

Happy gardening!

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Setting wooden fence posts.

Getting fence posts into the ground is called setting your fence post. To do this follow these steps.

Dig your hole.  Be sure that your hole is at least three sizes the diameter of the post, so for a 6 inch post you need an 18 inch hole.  Your hole needs to be dug below the frost line or 1/3 the diameter of the post whichever is greater.  Check with your local codes to see what the frost line is.

The next step is to get your post plumb - or level straight up and down.  You will want to use a level to make sure that your post is plumb.  To get your post plumb and level you will need to use temporary bracing.  You will want to use some scrap wood that you can nail into the top of your post and secure the other end of the brace into the ground.   That way you can adjust your post until it is plumb.

Finally once your post is plumb and braced you will want to pout the concret around your fence posts and let it set.  Then you can remove the temporary braces and start putting up your fence.

About concrete fence posts.

Usually concrete fence posts and fence components are best installed by professionals.   Concrete is a very durable material, but very heavy and difficult to work with.  It needs to be installed correctly to last.

Concrete fence posts are just what they sound like -  fence posts made out of concrete.    There are three basic ways to use concrete components in your garden fencing project.  You can buy precast concrete components such as fence posts and bases.  You can cast fence posts on site, or you can add decorative concrete veneers to an existing retaining wall.

About metal fence posts.

Metal fence posts can be installed directly into the ground, but are often installed in the same manner as woodden fence posts - with a concrete base to give them extra strength.

When you are buying a metal fence post, you should take into consideration the thickness of the post.  Many times homeowners will go with a less expensive fence post because it is cheaper, but then are dissapointed when it doesn't hold up.  You should go with a thicker guage post, especially if you have dogs that may run into your fence posts.

Whatever type of yard or garden fencing you decide to install, knowing how to do it yourself can save you a ton of time and money.  Good luck and have fun!

Technorati Tags: concrete fence posts, fence posts, garden fencing, metal fence posts, wooden fence posts

Pay attention to your foundations.

If you are going for an Asian look you want to keep your garden lines very clean and uncluttered.  For most people that means using polished river rocks as the foundation for your garden bed.  You actually install the rocks after you install the plants, but it is a good idea to plan your look all at once so that it flows well.

Choose your accessories to go with your Asian garden design.

Whether you are using a wood pergola, checking out a garden sheds guide for a pagoda style shed, or placing a buddha garden statue in your garden, you should make sure that your accessories flow from your theme.

One of my favorite accessories for Asian garden decor is bamboo garden fencing.

Bamboo garden fencing can be used in several ways. You can use it as a traditional fence to enclose your yard. You can use it as a backdrop to accent just one bed, or you can use decorative bamboo fence as a border in your garden. The reason that I like this fencing so much is that more than anything else, it really gives your garden an instant Asian feel.

Get the right plants.

One of the most popular plants to put in with Asian garden statuary is a Japanese Maple.  These are magnificent trees and give an air of sophistication to your garden.

But don't limit yourself.  There are many plants that are appropriate in an Asian Garden.  You can read more about designing an Asian garden here:

	A Japanese Touch for Your Garden

Whatever garden accessories and plants that you choose for your garden the most important thing is that you really enjoy it.

Happy Gardening!

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Bamboo Fencing

Bamboo fencing has one of the biggest impacts in your garden. It can serve as a backdrop for your plants and really make them stand out. It is especially effective in backyard gardens where the plants are at the edge of your yard. Because bamboo is a natural material it really looks great in most gardens. But it is a real winner in asian inspired gardens, and looks great when accompanied by  a Buddha garden statue and low voltage garden lights.

This type of fence is not as easy to install as some of the smaller garden panels, but if you are up to it, the results are well worth it.

Ornamental Fencing

	Origin Point 381420 20-Foot x 14-Inch Gard'n Border Wire Picket Fence, Green

Ornamental fencing is exactly what it sounds like. This type of garden fencing product is meant simply to show where your flower beds end and where your lawn begins. I particularly like white edging like this one, because it allows the greens of your foliage and colors of your flowers to really stand out. These small ornamental fences are some of the easiest to install as well. So if you are looking for instant easy impact this is a good way to go.

Wooden Fence Edging

	6x10 Cedar LWN Edging

Like it's more ornamental cousins, this type of fence edging is also easy to install, but gives a completely different look. Wood fence edging looks great in woodland and very natural settings. It is also a perfect fit for cottage gardens, because it blends in with your garden and gives a border while letting the plants look very natural.

Whatever type of decorative garden fencing you choose be sure that it fits both the style of your house and your personality and you are sure to love it.

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Garden fencing comes in a huge variety of designs and materials, so it is important to consider what type of decorative garden fence you want.  Here are some of the choices that can really make your garden stand out.

If you like bright colored flowers and a cottage look then choose white vinyl garden fencing.   Picket styles work really well for cottage gardens and you can get them in a variety of heights from just a foot tall to four feet tall.

A short white picket as a border of your garden can really set off a bed of perennials while a taller fence can make a great backdrop for roses or clematis to climb on.

For a formal garden with topiary and paths a cast iron garden fence will really set off the design of your garden.  To achieve this look you can either go with real cast iron garden fencing or an aluminum look alike.  The aluminum versions look just like their cast iron counterparts, but are less expensive.

Personally, I really like a cast iron look with fleur de lis motif to add a touch of elegance to any garden. Of course, if you have a formal garden it is really important to keep your garden and looking beautiful and neat. A petrol lawn mower will make a huge difference in how your lawn looks and keep your formal garden space looking impeccable.

Asian inspired gardens are becoming more and more popular all the time, and believe it or not there is now bamboo  garden fence edging that will make your asian inspired garden really stand out.  For the finishing touch just add a buddha garden statue.

Installing garden fencing is like giving your garden an instant upgrade.  Most garden fencing is very easy to install - just push the spikes in the ground an voila instant fence.  The best part is that your decorative garden fence will really make your garden pop!

Technorati Tags: decorative garden fence, garden fence, garden fencing, hardscape, perennials