Front garden - fencing?

pmlindyloo

We live on a corner plot with lawn at the front (no borders).

We are absolutely fed up with people cutting across our lawn (sometimes with dogs who then stop for a ****!) and want to do something to prevent this.

So far we have thought of:

1. Small picket fencing (any recommendations for something cheap and sturdy?)
2. Posts with a chain link.
3. Borders on each corner with rose bush/similar.

Since all the other houses in the small close (only 6 houses) have 'open' front gardens we do not want to have huge fences which will enclose the entire front garden. They don't have a problem as people pass our garden to get to the village.

Also, at night there are no street lights so am aware that the fences need to be visible (white?) so that no one trips as they take their usual short cut

Any suggestions/things we haven't thought of would be very gratefully received.

(It's a small 60s detached house)

mummyroysof3

Only a fence will stop dogs but its the most expensive option. Get some quotes then decide

pmlindyloo

mummyroysof3 wrote: »

Only a fence will stop dogs but its the most expensive option. Get some quotes then decide

Believe it or not I am not talking about stray dogs I am talking about dogs on leads with their owners :eek:

Typical comments - 'I will clear it up' - 'It's only wee'.

Don't get me started about dog owners. What part of 'this is our garden so 'pi** off', don't they understand? (haven't actually said this - it's a small village which makes things very difficult!)

lostinrates

I'd go fence rather than post and chain. I think the chain is likely to be a tripping hazard for people who forget for a long while, and that dogs will continue to drift in under the chain. They will certainly widle on any fence or post, so if widdle concerns you I'd opt for a solid fence rather than a picket fence too.

mummyroysof3

I think it's very cheeky to go on other people's gardens. If my kids do it they get a telling off. I think it's 3foot tall you can have round the front, is there any way of doing it without fencing the whole boundary?

Cordie

You mention that the other 6 houses in your close have open front gardens you may want to check your deeds there could be a clause preventing you from fencing off your garden. There was a mania for open plan during the 60's and 70's.

If you can enclose your garden I would go for a picket fence, I once had one and they are very attractive.

Davesnave

Cordie wrote: »

You mention that the other 6 houses in your close have open front gardens you may want to check your deeds there could be a clause preventing you from fencing off your garden. There was a mania for open plan during the 60's and 70's.

Although this is true, I wouldn't let it hinder me, even if there is a clause. On estates like that, many people have by now flouted the rules and got away with it!

When my 85' of front fence began falling down last winter, I replaced it at minimal cost with Cotoneaster simonsii, which is smaller than the usually recommended franchetii. I cut it back by 1/3 after planting and it's now knitting together nicely. I aim to keep it just below 3', which is enough to deter dogs & people, but not too high to spoil the view.

Just an idea,. A hedge like this will benefit bees, and birds too, as it has small flowers and berries.:)

cyclonebri1

Cordie wrote: »

You mention that the other 6 houses in your close have open front gardens you may want to check your deeds there could be a clause preventing you from fencing off your garden. There was a mania for open plan during the 60's and 70's.

If you can enclose your garden I would go for a picket fence, I once had one and they are very attractive.

I was about to answer exactly the same, ie, you may not be allowed to.

Picket fence, (low) or mini ranch fench should both do the same and only a pedantic council would complain about that.

pimento

How about a low box hedge? Something a bit like this?

ERICS_MUM

I had a similar prob with my front lawn (1960's house). I made a flower bed 2 feet wide at the lawn edge bordering the pavement and planted a few diff fast-growing evergreen shrubs. I now have a "solid" hedge between me and the world, some of the shrubs are prickly so any doggy trying to push through the hedge gets a nasty surprise on it's nose.

I keep them to about 2 or 3 feet high and prune/trim them neatly so it looks attractive from neighbours' point of view.

cyclonebri1

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

I had a similar prob with my front lawn (1960's house). I made a flower bed 2 feet wide at the lawn edge bordering the pavement and planted a few diff fast-growing evergreen shrubs. I now have a "solid" hedge between me and the world, some of the shrubs are prickly so any doggy trying to push through the hedge gets a nasty surprise on it's nose.

I keep them to about 2 or 3 feet high and prune/trim them neatly so it looks attractive from neighbours' point of view.

A plant that is often overlooked for a fairly quick growing prickly hedge that still has colour and berries is Beriberis in it's many varieties.

The hedge against the fence has the advantage that if there is an issue with the council, it can usually be pruned rather than taken down.

Pyracantha also fits the bill.
It's a personal thing of course but give me a living hedge against a dead fence every time. Some would see it exactly the other way.