Monday, March 30, 2015

The Garden Fence (DIY)


 The garden fence

Individual lumber to create a picket fence from scratch
vs
Pre-assembled picket fence panels


Wood
vs
Vinyl

This is one of those projects that we priced different ways, to see which one was the cheapest.

Thankfully, creating this project from scratch would not be any cheaper then purchasing some pre-assembled fencing sections.  I say thankfully because Handy Hubby just does not have the time to make it right now and it needs we want it done!

Wood was cheaper then vinyl (even with buying paint or stain).

So here is what we came home with from Menards.
See the lattice on the bottom and some extra lumber?  That is for our grape arbor...coming soon!

When we originally put the garden in  we rototilled the section and put 2x8's around the perimeter.  It measures 30x36.  On our 'to do list' for the last two years has been the fencing.

We started with the corner's.
Handy Hubby attached the panels to the 2x8's that are surrounding the garden.

He cut the end of one panel that is sticking out on the bottom and not the other panel.  This makes for a snug fit.  He screwed the corner pieces together.

We created a straight line by lining up string between the two corner sections.

Then filled in between the corner sections with panels, screwing them together at an angle.

Doing a rough fit, he marked the panels on the bottom and cut down as needed, trying to keep a fairly straight line on top, while working with the uneven ground on the bottom.

He had to pry off slats as needed...

Marked and cut straight lines if a shorter width was needed to fill in a space.

He cut support pieces out of 2x4's...

We get a lot of wind here, so he added extra support to the fence.  On the inside of the fence, he positioned the support pieces where the panels were screwed together.

He measured and cut an opening on the 2x8 that was surrounding the garden and also cut an opening for the gate on the picket panels and added hinges.  He made sure the gate opening is wide enough for the rototiller to get in.  Deciding where to put the gate was based off the layout of our garden rows that we have used the last couple years.

My job was to hold the panels evenly while Handy Hubby screwed them together.
Whew...I don't know what he would have done without me (smile)!

Marina was the supervisor for the day.  She was inspecting the work closely.

The garden fence has a few purposes:

*  It will help to keep some wild animals out of the garden.

*  We want to put chicken wire around the inside of the fence.  The chickens can then forage in there during the off garden season.

*  Although it is functional, we also wanted it to be...pretty...and nostalgic.

My grandparents had a fence around their garden.  It was not a picket fence, but it is still a warm memory that I have from my childhood...simpler times...working in their garden with my aunts and cousins.
And, if you watch 'The Waltons', this garden fence reminds me of theirs.  Again, a simpler time...families planting and working in a garden to provide food for their families. 

The garden shed and chicken coop are near the garden and are both stained.

Our house is white and I am leaning toward painting the fence white for that farmhouse/cottage nostalgia feeling.

What do you think?

Should I... 

stain it
or 
paint it white?

I am hoping to get this completed soon.  Then we can add the chickens wire.  Maybe the chickens can have a little time in there before we till it and start planting our garden.

52 comments:

  1. You can stain it white. Then it won't peel! It is just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so glad the pre-made came in cheaper cause it would of been a lot of work for you hubby! Your gonna have a nice size garden. I'd white was it, gives a cottage feel. Staining is good and we have it on our home, but it fades easily.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do like the idea of having a cottage feel to the fence. Thanks Cathy for your opinion. I think using paint or stain will both require some maintenance in the future.
      Lori

      Delete
  3. I'd have a party and give out paintbrushes ! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a beautiful fence you built. It looks so neat and straight. Good job!

    I love picket fences. I even decorated my blog header with one. My grandparents had their property surrounded by white picket fence.

    I imagine a white fence with a few climbing roses on the outside of the garden in some location where they won't shade the garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kimberly. A white picket fence seems to bring special memories to so many, I am definitely leaning that way. Climbing roses climbing on the fence sounds beautiful, but I don't know if I have that capability...I actually have a lattice on one side of my front porch that I am going to try my hand at a climbing rose this year. Your picket fence on your blog header with those baby chicks is adorable!

      Delete
  5. omgOSH...we are so impressed with your beautiful fence...stain it white...(my vote :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the look of that fence, Lori, and I think it would look so sweet painted white. Can't wait to see a nice garden growing there! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dee. I am looking forward to getting to work in the garden... I think white too ;-)

      Delete
  7. Looks like white wins! It's so retro. Looking forward to seeing your veggies growing. Thanks for coming to see us on The Maple Hill Hop!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it looks like white wins ;-) Thanks Daisy.

      Delete
  8. Lori, you and your husband did an amazing job on your fence! It will look lovely after you get it painted or stained, I am thinking stained. Looking forward to seeing your garden as it grows! Thank you for all the tips and tricks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks CB! I hope the step by step DIY maybe will help someone else...

      Delete
  9. Love the fence! And aren't handy husbands a blessing :) Thank you for sharing your DIY project with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! P.S. I am partial to white...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right Jes - handy hubbys are a blessing! I am so glad that he enjoys doing projects and he enjoys me documenting them also ;-)

      Delete
  10. Lori, oh my goodness this garden is going to be HUGE! I am SO excited for you. The Walton's was the first thing I thought of too. A white picket fence would be really pretty with your white house. I can't wait to see what you decide. Hope you're having an awesome week! CoCo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks CoCo! I still love watching the Walton's, don't you? We have plans to create some raised beds within the garden fence, but don't know if that is going to happen this year... I enjoy gardening, but by the end of the season, the weeds and I start fighting ;-)

      Delete
  11. Beautiful fence... and so nice to get a project like that done and to have it also be so attractive. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe that you can have something functional and pretty. We were striving for that with this fence, so thank you for your sweet comment.

      Delete
  12. I love the fence around the garden. Can't wait to see it once the garden is up and growing. It was great to see you at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!
    Debi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debi! I am looking forward to getting some things planted in there, but it will be a few weeks still...weather and our timing.

      Delete
  13. É Páscoa! Cristo está vivo, o túmulo está vazio, Ele ressuscitou!!! A mais bela festa dos Cristãos.
    Crentes no Amor de Deus Pai que nos deu seu Filho Jesus Cristo que permanece conosco pela força do
    Espírito Santos, seguimos nossa caminhada na construção de um mundo mais justo, fraterno, humano,
    harmonioso e de doação.
    Todos somos promotores da Paz!
    Feliz, Santa e Abençoada Páscoa.
    Um doce abraço, Marie.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Gosh I need a fence. And I vote paint it white! Thanks for joining us at Idea Box. Hope you link up with us again this week! Party starts Thursday at 6am ET.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad to have the fence project done...Thanks for visiting.

      Delete
  15. I am so jealous! I have nowhere to put a garden like that. It's going to be wonderful and I'm really happy for you. I don't know if you decided what to do, because I'm still catching up, but I'd paint it white ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rue! Container gardens are a great option for planting a garden too. We are zone 5 so I can't plant until May, but I am dreaming...
      P.S. I painted it white ;-)

      Delete
  16. Great tutorial! Looks like you built a very sturdy fence!


    Thanks for linking up with Green Thumb Thursday! We'd love for you to join us again this week!

    ~Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! We wanted a sturdy and pretty fence...

      Delete
  17. Hi Lori! Wow this is really a work of love! I look forward to getting some tips from your blog posts when you start planting on your garden. This will be our first spring in our house so planting vegetables and herbs are in order :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How exciting to be planning your first garden Mei Ann! I love gardening, but by the end of the season, the weeds and I fight ;-)
      Lori

      Delete
  18. it's a great garden fence! my vote would be staining it. :) thanks for joining up at good fences! i had to go to your 'about us' page to find out where you were. menards made me think up north. i'm originally from wisconsin and i miss menards and fleet farms as texas doesn't have them. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! We have plenty of options: Menards, Lowes, Home Depot, Sutherlands, etc... We go for the best price many times ;-)
      Lori

      Delete
  19. great sereis of shots to illustrate how this lovely fence was made.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Margaret. I hope it showed others that YOU CAN DO IT ;-)
      Lori

      Delete
  20. Neat garden fence. I think I would paint it white. Love Marina supervising everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ida. Marina did a fine job of supervising ;-)

      Delete
  21. It is a great fence to keep your chickens happy and safe.. It looks easy, my son could use this for his new puppy.. Have a happy day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fence will actually keep our garden safe ;-)

      Delete
  22. I do love a white picket fence! Your photos are excellent. I am so happy I was able to stop by and visit today. Have a great weekend and thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  23. That is a beautiful fence! I think paint or stain...either way, would be nice. I would also plant some clematis on the inside of the fence, and watch them climb and bloom around my garden! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Alica. Clematis does sound beautiful...thanks for the idea.
      Lori

      Delete
  24. Hi, one word of caution, you should never wear gloves while operation a saw, if the blade just nicks the glove there goes the hand...just saying. Nice job by the way

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great fence guys. You guys did a good job there. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post with us. Keep these coming. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love your fence. I'm thinking of enclosing my garden with a white picket fence. I have groundhog problems, so I'm going to have to dig a trench around it about 12 - 15 inches deep and lay chicken wire across it. Hopefully, they won't be able to dig under it. We'll than cover it with dirt before we set the picket fence down. Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your post. I wanted to
    write a little comment to support you.

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments! Thank you for taking the time to leave one.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...