PrintFencing
Keeping things in their place can be very important in a high performing landscape. Whether it is keeping the family dog in the backyard, chickens in their coop area, kids out of the compost pile, or hungry neighbors out of your fresh strawberry patch, fences are an invaluable tool in separating spaces and protecting people and property.
Consider a fence if you want:
- To separate spaces
- Security and safety
- Privacy and seclusion
- To reduce noise from nearby areas
Quick tips for fences:
- Always call 811 a few days before you start digging post holes for your fence. They will come out and mark your underground utility lines (gas, water, electric) for free. Hitting a line is dangerous, expensive, and will instantly shut down your project.
- Don’t assume your property line is “right where the grass changes”. That is a common mistake that leads to legal disputes. Check your plat/survey, look for the iron stakes buried at the corners of your lot and consider setting the fence 2–6 inches inside your property line to avoid any accidental encroachment on your neighbor’s land.
- A good rule of thumb is that one-third of the total post length should be underground for strength and rigidity.
- Dig the hole three times wider than the post itself (e.g., a 12-inch wide hole for a 4-inch post).
- Note that in many municipalities, building a fence taller than 6 feet usually requires a building permit. If you plan to do that, check your local building codes.