When buying a new property — whether in the city, suburbs, or country — you may also inherit broken-down, ugly, or absent fences. With a small patch of land, this may lead to privacy concerns. On a larger acreage homestead, bad or nonexistent fencing can lead to problems like your sheep escaping and eating the neighbor’s garden, or a stray dog trespassing and taking out your chicken flock.
Though fences may seem to bar interaction at first, they’re actually important to establish good boundaries for your animals, children, or neighbor’s dogs, and they can beautify your property as a bonus.
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably looking for a way to keep something unwanted off your property or something wanted on your property, and you’re looking for a way to do it without breaking the bank. Thankfully, there are cheap fence options available to you.
击剑似乎有两种选择。基本上,销赃既要花钱也要花时间。你可以花很多钱快速完成一个,或者你可以自己以较慢的速度完成,并获得便宜的价格——但不要让“便宜”这个词让你打电话给击剑公司,带着无奈的叹息。
Going for a cheap option does not mean you have to sacrifice on quality or aesthetics. After all, the original homesteaders were able to make fences with what they had on hand — and some of those fences are still standing. You too can build (or grow!) secure, dependable, and beautiful fences without emptying your savings account.
在我进入列表之前,我必须提到一个重要的注意事项。如果你正在重建一个栅栏,听2022世界杯四强亚盘赔率起来很容易知道一个商定的边界在哪里,根据一个损坏的栅栏的位置。2022世界杯四强亚盘赔率然而,如果你们对分界线没有信心,那么从头开始建造篱笆可能会让你们陷入邻居间的争吵。
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Whether you are installing a new fence or rebuilding an old one, I would highly recommend having a surveyor come out and confirm your land’s true legal boundaries. That way you know exactly where to build, and if any border disputes arise, you will be prepared.
Hopefully, this list of options gives you some food for thought as you figure out how to make your homestead or backyard a little more private and safe. Bear in mind, this is not a how-to for every design, but a set of launching points and a collection of resources for you to use as you decide what is best for your property.
Option #1: Build A Fence
如果你准备好了自己动手做,而且你不担心流汗,你可以非常便宜地建造一个栅栏。我不敢说用于建造这些栅栏的任何材料都是免费的。虽然它们可能不花任何钱,但它们会让你付出相当大的努力。
For some of us, the challenge and reward of a hard day’s work is vitalizing and exciting, and exactly why we homestead. But after a full season of hauling rocks, splitting timbers, or pounding stakes, you will know for certain that the cost of a fence build is far beyond dollars and cents.
1. Post And Rail Fence
These are probably the rustic fences you most envision when you hear the word fence: a sturdy, wooden structure, solidly placed in the earth, winding around a herd of cattle or horses. If you have access to timber on your land (or a willing friend’s land) and some simple hand tools, the cost of this fence is relatively low.
The effort, however, is high. Post and rail can be done with wood entirely in the round, but if you take the extra time to split timbers, you can make this fence even more economical as a split rail fence.
The goal is to get enough 3 to 4-inch diameter sections to suit your needs — whether it is for a small paddock or a property-surrounding structure. If you opt for split rail, you can use timber of greater diameter. You just need to spend some quality time with a maul and wedges to split it all. The cheapest option is to fell and process the trees yourself but obviously, this can only be safely attempted if you have experience.
The best time for felling trees and splitting timbers is in the winter or early spring when green wood splits most easily. As you will inevitably discover, some trees are much easier to work with than others, and some have longer life expectancy. Prime fence post materials can be made from rot-resistant Osage orange and black locust trees as they have at least a 25-year life expectancy without treatment.
In lieu of those woods, red cedar usually lasts at least 15 years untreated, and white oak will last at least 10 years. Even if you don’t have optimal wood, you can increase your post’s rot-resistance by charring the ends in a fire. Of all the woods, elm is a wood to avoid as it is very difficult to split.
Instructions on building this archetypal fence can be found in many resources. For a book version, check outBack to Basicsfor the simple, straightforward instructions. For online help, see the following links for step-by-step instructions.
2. Stone Fence
You may live on land that is covered with rocks and boulders. While this may definitely put a cramp in your gardening style, you can turn the curse into a blessing and make those rocks into a permanent and cheap fence.
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For inspiration, you can readThe Good Life作者:斯科特和海伦·林奈尔。在他们的家园,石头成为了首选的建筑材料,因为它是免费的,他们详细地描述了他们的建筑过程2022世界杯四强亚盘赔率。
Another good resource can be found inCountry Wisdom & Know-How. A mortarless wall (where the stones are held in place by friction and gravity) will be the cheapest, but in that case, you’d be best served by using sandstone or limestone.这里有一个很好的链接,可以添加到你的资源中。
If you like the idea of a stone fence but don’t have enough stones on your land, you can probably find someone with a lot of land who would like to be relieved of stones littering their fields. An advertisement with your local Craigslist may help you find materials for the cost of moving them yourself.
3. Zig-Zag Fence
As with the post and rail fence,this designis only cheap if you have a huge source of lumber from your own land. Thankfully, if you have a woodlot, you couldn’t have a simpler or cheaper build than this old-fashioned style.
Sometimes called a snake fence, Virginia rail fence, or worm fence, this style is both decorative and functional for retaining children and small animals. You can combine this fence with boulders piled around the base to maximize its strength like New England homesteaders did in the past.
这种栅栏的好处是虽然消耗了很多木头,但它只需要劈开的栏杆。没有指甲。没有职位。没有额外的硬件。简单地将劈开的木材(通常是雪松)堆叠成自我支撑的锯齿形。安装方便,移动方便,如果需要的话。This YouTube video shows you the process.
4. Twig Fence
If you’re looking for an adorably rustic look and need a fence more for psychological rather than physical boundaries, why not build a twig fence? Fashioned out of pruned or freshly fallen branches, the materials are as free as can be after a good windstorm. Or, if you have a tree fall someplace close, you can make the best of a bad situation and gather more twigs than you’ll know what to do with! Check out the beautiful resultsat this website.
5. Wattle Fence
Though wattle fencing is an acquired skill, you can’t deny the beauty of this woven masterpiece. Wattle has its roots in ancient Europe where the woven panels, combined with a thick layer of daub, were utilized as long-lasting walls for dwellings. Without the trademark earthen coating, wattle panels make ideal fences for smaller livestock, gardens, and backyards.
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There may have a bit of a learning curve until you like the results, but some simple tools and a large supply of saplings orcoppiced woodwill give you the materials needed to construct this fence. It would be beautiful as both livestock fencing or a nature-vibe backyard setting.Here’s a detailed set of instructions.
6. Pallet Fence
So you don’t have your own woodlot and just want to build a cheap fence to give your backyard some privacy? Pallets fit that bill. These staple materials of the DIY culture are excellent for creating a quick and cheap fence that can be surprisingly beautiful.
While you are constrained to the pallets’ dimensions at the outset, you can do an amazing variety of designs with these adult building blocks. Check out the following designs for some thrifty inspiration.
$32 Pallet Fence
Here’s a simple, $32 fence made of pallets that would be perfect for containing dogs.
DIY Pallet Top Garden Fence
I lovethis garden-topped pallet fence idea— beautiful and edible!
Trellis Pallet Fence
There is nothing ugly aboutthis pallet fencewhen trained, climbing roses decorate it like a Victorian secret garden.
Herringbone Pallet Fence
Though it’s certainly a more intensive project, there’s no denying the rustic refinery ofthis decorative pallet fence.
7. Root Fence
This fencing solution is certainly not one for a suburban neighborhood with an HOA, so consider yourselves warned. However, if you want a unique fencing idea from the homesteading past and have a lot of recently logged land, there is a use for all those abandoned stumps.
春天,冬天的霜冻使土壤变得松软,树桩可以从地面上拔下来,形成一个篱笆的形状(根尖朝里,切口朝外)。有些人可能会说它是一个丑陋的,但令人惊讶的持久的栅栏。Some old Canadian homesteads still have把超过一个世纪的旧篱笆根治。I first found mention of these in Eric Sloane’sDiary of an Early American Boy.
8. Recycled Door Fence
If you’re into upcycling and have recently come across a set of old doors, they can become aquirky and interesting fence in their own right.在水平方向上,旧衣柜门、法式门或走廊百叶门的装饰元素,无论放在哪里都能增加美感和趣味。
9. Tire Wall
Rammed earth tires are the foundation of theEarthshipdesign, and the materials are as cheap as it gets. Dirt can come directly from your land, and many used-tire businesses are happily willing to part with old tires for free if you’re willing to take the time to chat with a manager.
Calling a rammed tire wall a fence may be a stretch, but if you’re looking for a permanent boundary solution and want to redeem some tires from a landfill in the process, here’s the answer for you. The method is basic. Place tire, fill the tire with dirt, pound dirt with a sledgehammer, add more dirt, continue until solid, and repeat around 300 times or so.
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But the results, once finished with a layer of adobe (also made from your land’s dirt) can be absolutely sublime. For a fully detailed explanation of rammed earth tires, you can read theEarthshipseries by Michael Reynolds orvisit this websitefor online instructions.
Option #2: Plant A Fence
Planting a fence is a solution that can take a really, really long time. But when it comes to durability and security, there’s little that can trump a well-built, well-maintained hedge. Unlike a built fence, which inevitably starts to wear and break down, a maintained living fence only continues growing thicker and stronger with the passing years. The plants actively help you fortify your fences, and lead to a literally beautiful partnership.
The following plants all exhibit different features that may suit your designs for your backyard or back 40. From beautiful, flowering hedges that offer a backyard boundary marker to thick hedges that can contain any animal, these plants are some of the many ideal candidates for making a cheap, effective fence. Not convinced?Check out this article要获得关于生活围栏的一般信息,然后通过以下植物选项做梦。
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10. Bamboo Fence
Renowned for its quick-growing habit, this perennial grass — because yes, it’s actually a grass — can make adense and attractive privacy screenbetween you and some neighbors. You’ll have to decide between clumping bamboo and running bamboo and manage accordingly.
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Though a manicured fence can be absolutely poetic and private, these plants will take over if given free reign. If you’re willing to work on the fence at first, you can buy fewer plants andpropagate your ownfrom the bamboo runners.
11. Blackberries And Bramble Fence
需要一个快速、不可逾越的边界,低审美但高实用性?也许黑莓就是适合你的植物。任何一个去寻找荆棘浆果的人都可能带着遭遇的伤疤。Blackberries are loath to give up their fruit without drawing some blood with their fierce thorns.
Those thorns can double as a home defense if you choose to plant blackberry canes in a quick-growing hedge. You’ll need to use a brush mower frequently to keep the encroaching bushes at bay (they spread persistently). Within two or three years, depending on how thickly they were planted, you’ll have a cheap, prickly boundary that clearly declares “go a different way.”
As a bonus, you’ll have beautiful blossoms in the spring, edible leaves to brew into a tasty and medicinal tea, and of course, every kid should know the joy of stuffing fresh berries in their face.
Related Post:Live Fencing: What Is It and How to Implement It
12. Living Willow Fence
For a living fence that isn’t quite as work-intensive as a hedge but is still a lovely option for a backyard, consider weaving aliving willow fence. Take advantage of willow’s natural tendency to sprout from cuttings, and create a picturesque boundary that is as valuable for its beauty as it is for its function.
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如果你的地产上已经有一棵柳树,或者知道有人愿意分享,这些材料是完全免费的。然而,注意。这种活栅栏在水分充足的地区效果最好,因为柳树是一种喜水的植物。Here are some instructions.
13. Multi-Plant Hedge
The ancient art of hedge laying可追溯到几个世纪前。基本前提是要找到一种生长繁茂的灌木或树木,沿着想要的边界生长出一条线,并仔细修剪和编织成一个篱笆形状。
Over time, the trees will continue to grow. Guided by a careful hedgelayer, the branches will eventually form a formidable, impenetrable, and incredibly long-lasting fence. I first saw the ins-and-outs of this process in the fantastic documentariesTales from the Green ValleyandEdwardian Farm.
树篱也不必局限于一种植物。在许多情况下,多个植物一起使用,形成了一个神奇的多用途结构。例如,将冬青、榛子、常春藤和荆棘结合在一起,就可以享受以下祝福。
- 野生动物的栖息地?检查。
- Source of browse for livestock? Check.
- Source of firewood? Check.
- Source of human food? Check.
- And, of course, fence that fulfills all the duties of a true, strong fence: Hog-tight, Horse-high, and Bull-Strong? Check, check, check!
In Great Britain, hedges have a longstanding tradition, and some have survived centuries to be actively used today. Not all traditional European hedge plants grow in our varied American climates. The next three native to America trees, however, have been used with great success.
14. Osage Orange Hedge
奥色治树长出了浓密、坚固的木头,树枝上长着尖锐的刺。修剪过的树篱维护木材具有最高的BTU值的任何木材,所以你的生活栅栏可以作为一个长期的主要柴火来源以及。
And if you’re interested in archery, you can find no better material for handcrafted bows. This tree was also referred to as““bois d 'arc”在法语中是“弓之树”的意思。用奥色治木制作的弓在历史上是最珍贵的。
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You can buy Osage orange saplings to shave some years off of the process, but if you want a hedge as cheap as possible, take a late-fall drive and collect the bright-green fruit of this bizarre plant yourself. A winter of fermenting in water-filled buckets will yield a pulpy slurry that is jam-packed with seeds for spring planting. Just be sure to collect from as many different trees as you can to ensure there are viable seeds in your batch.
15. Black Locust Hedge
Also bearing thorns, black locust producesbeautiful, edible spring flowersand hard, durable wood. It is not very tolerant of shade, so plan accordingly with your locust hedge placement.
Additionally, even though it is a native plant, it is considered invasive in some states so check before you plant. If you do decide to partner up with this useful tree, you can also benefit from the relatively unknown fact that it is a nitrogen fixer that will help improve your soil quality.
16. Hazelnut Hedge
Not thorny like Osage or black locust but able to produce an abundance of wood and delicious nuts, hazelnuts are a useful tree to consider for hedge laying. You can even choose to coppice some of your hazelnut trees to provide ample material for a wattle fence elsewhere, adding to the value of every hazelnut you put in the ground.
You may be able to find saplings at a reasonable price from your local department of conservation. In our state, hazelnuts are less than a dollar per sapling as long as you place your seasonal order in a timely fashion.
What cheap fence ideas have you used on your land? Do you swear by one type, or make a patchwork of different methods across your property? What suggestions have I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
Sophia Jarrettsays
This was very useful and helpful.
Red Bee Cortensays
Great piece of information over here.
I think that In hotter environments, you can grow a bamboo fence yourself by planting it along the ideal line and allowing it to develop. In the event that you favor dry bamboo, fill in an advantageous spot until it arrives at the correct tallness. At that point, cut it down, dry it, and put it up as a fence. Bamboo develops staggeringly rapidly, up to 36 creeps in 24 hours. You can likewise purchase pre-made moves of bamboo fencing.