Take visual control with a screen fence
You may think landscape design is just about making an attractive garden. Truth is, design is a process of solving problems in a way that is visually appealing. And design of your home landscape is identifying problem areas and finding plants that offer optimal solutions.
A problem that bedevils today’s smaller home sites is lack of outdoor storage. When there is no space for garbage cans, firewood, bikes, clotheslines, compost bins and many other items common to everyday life, these practical items end up directly in your line of sight. They can also clog up the garage, patio and side yard, making them impassable.
The best solution for liberating outdoor space is by creating partitions within your yard. It’s easy to do with screen fences that block the view from primary living spaces, doors and windows. These are not always solid fence panels, but ones with openings to allow a visual sense of depth.
Unlike a perimeter fence that is designed to completely enclose something, a screen fence need only block your view of what’s behind it. A single, attractive, free-standing panel may be all you need to get the job done. For screening multiple vantage points, try two panels in an “L” shape or three in a “C” shape.
A screen fence can be attached to an existing wall or fence like a fin. One end of the span is attached to the existing fence post, with the other end given its own new post.
The second type is free-standing, which allows you to build it anywhere you wish. You’ll need a post on each end of the span to bear the load. To stand up to wind and weather, simply set the posts in holes, pour in dry concrete mix and add water.
The distance between the posts depends on the materials you choose. Prefabricated panels at the home-improvement store measure about 4 feet wide by 6 or 8 feet long. These standard dimensions should guide you when designating the location of your screen-fence post.
Material has a big effect on how a screen fence looks within the garden. Try to match the house or any nearby existing fences. Open materials such as lattice or wire mesh are most popular. Expensive specialty garden panels include woven willow wattle popular in English gardens.
Rolled fence material is also useful for screens. Because rolled fence is flexible, you will need at least two lateral stringers spanning the posts at top and bottom. The rolled material may be cut to fit the frame and then attached with “U” nails or a staple gun. Rolled reed fencing available at chain stores is an affordable instant screening solution for renters. Thicker bamboo rolled fence is pricey but outstanding for Asian or tropical garden screening. There is also rolled willow fencing, which is darker brown in color and works nicely for rustic, woodland or English-style gardens.
Small-budget gardeners shouldn’t overlook used materials, either. For posts, recycle four-by-fours, railroad ties, landscape timbers, galvanized pipe or just two, two-by-fours nailed together. Consider screens made of woven wire bedsprings, storm shutters, old fence spans, corrugated fiberglass or galvanized roofing, which can all be salvaged from building demolition.
There’s no reason to litter the yard, fill the garage or clog your side yard with everyday stuff that has no place to go. Good design is the best way to solve the problem. Begin by assessing the views from primary points in the house or landscape. Then lay out the fence line, set the posts and add your screening material. This is a great project that asks for just a single day and a few dollars to take back visual control of your yard.
Ÿ Maureen Gilmer is an author, horticulturist and landscape designer. Learn more at www.MoPlants.com. Contact her at mogilmer@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 891, Morongo Valley, CA 92256.