Overgrown shrubs/bushes/fence/dogs
jrossthompson
Posts: 2
various shrubs, bushes, some overgrown, lining both sides of a garden of a house we are interested in. Similar at rear end. Some chicken net/deer fencing buried at least a couple of foot back in places but by no means secure. We have 2 dogs, 1 a puppy. Would need to secure/dog proof this. What is the best way? Serious pruning, some kind of special fencing, would you get some kind of fence in behind the bushes/shrubs with pruning do you think or wpuld it be best to just prune all the way back to our boundary and then put deer fencing/fencing in?? Ideas and thoughts much appreciated! Thanks
Last edited: 04 November 2017 12:55:25
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We had a similar overgrown area at the back of our garden, with just post and broken wire fence. We cleared the area and had a 6' wire fence put up. We have a 5' wire fence at the front with metal gate and 6' panel fencing down either side. We have german wirehaired pointers, so needed to be able to keep them in. We do leave them loose in the garden at times and padlock the gate.
You have lovely established borders there, so like philippa says, have a good look around and see what you can do. Posts and chicken wire may suffice? Deer probably won't be much trouble if you have dogs around? the dogs may not make their way through the shrubs much either if they are quite dense? It's tricky for you ?
If I'm reading the OP's post correctly they are asking if it would be feasible for some light pruning at the boundary to allow for installation of the fence or whether the whole lot needs to come out. I don't believe he / she is asking for fencing advice or how / whether to keep the dogs contained. I may be wrong however
I'm guessing your are not the owner of all three boundaries so you may want to start by discussing with your neighbours what you'd like to achieve. You may find they already have plans in place for their own boundary replacement if they are in a poor condition. Or maybe you could access the fence from their gardens to put the new one in. It would seem a shame if you would need to cut down the mature shrubs. As you suggest you might get away with pruning for access and the clearance nearer the fence line but how much would be on a case-by-case basis. I'm sure a fencing contractor would much prefer clear access that's for sure!
Shrubs won't keep the dogs in if they really want to get out. It depends on your dogs. I have had various dogs in my country garden with minimal fencing and no problems with escaping. I grew really complacent. Now I have a little Houdini who can get through all the badger and fox holes and is driving us mad! We are putting up a wire mesh fence along the lines of the hedges, which will grow though and hide the fence, and inside the adjoining field boundary. She is small so it isn't very high, but you may need to think about jumping, too!
Thanks all, I reckon some sort of wire mesh is going to be the best solution with a small amount of pruning!
A cheaper and simpler solution would be to sink a sturdy post each end of the garden and stretch a taut cable between them. Clip the dogs' leads to the wire, and they can run up and down as much as they like with little chance of escape.
If they're anything like our pair they'll tie themselves and their leads in knots with a wire and then get cross. Much better to install a taut, wire mesh fence along the boundaries and then let the dogs play in and out of the shrubs, knowing they are safely contained and not escaping to bother neighbours or get into other trouble.
The shrubs can be pruned just enough to allow access to strengthen the fence and then, in time, more fully shaped and pruned to suit your needs for a garden that suits your way of life.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I agree, 100%. Dogs shouldn't be tied up in their own garden, they need to be able to run about freely and enjoy themselves just like children.
Is it to keep rabbits out - the fencing that's there - rather than deer? The way you described it suggests that to me.
I'd agree with Obelixx that it's a question of getting accesss to make a secure boundary. That would be the priority. If you have chicken wire (or similar) part buried, that will certainly help with any 'dog tunneling'.
You'll have to wait till you actually get into the house - if you buy it of course. Your dogs will need watched over in the garden until you can make everything secure anyway
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...