Cheap screening/fencing ideas

Harrycat27

Hi all, hope you're doing well. I have a need to create an L shaped bit of screening in my garden, each prong of the L being around 6 to 8 foot long. I'd like to do it as cheaply and as easily as possible, and with the least 'ingredients'. It doesn't need to bear much of any weight (I may climb some plants up it, or I may not) however it does need to be sturdy enough not to just blow over or get knocked over, and I'd like to to look reasonably pleasing to the eye, although I quite like a rougher look to the garden so it doesn't need to look polished or perfect.

I was wondering if I could do anything with loads or inexpensive bamboo canes, either driving some into the ground and weaving others through, or tying others to the uprights? Any creative ideas welcomed? I did look at buying fence posts, postcrete, trellis etc but it soon racked up into the hundreds and I'm only after something to screen off my messy potting area!

Thanks very much in advance!

twopenny

I've used tree stakes for uprights but you can get cheaper from builders yards but not by much.
It's not essential but quick setting postcrete is easy to use and you only need a little which can be dug up if you change your mind.
I've used expanding trellis @ £6, or framed willow trellis @£8 using garden wire etc between. I find these in the Factory Shop which I think is online.
Sturdy enough for plants to grow up.
You won't weave canes but you can buy bundles of willow which you can.
I do something with canes. I sometimes use them tied diagonally to make a diamond pattern to look pretty for my tomatoes. It's fairly sturdy in soil but if you grow plants up the wind will possibly push them down in winter.

LessImpecunious

twopenny said:

I've used expanding trellis @ £6, or framed willow trellis @£8 using garden wire etc between. I find these in the Factory Shop which I think is online.
Sturdy enough for plants to grow up.
You won't weave canes but you can buy bundles of willow which you can.

I've found that willow structures don't last more than a season or two at most, so not a long-term solution...

Harrycat27

twopenny said:

I've used tree stakes for uprights but you can get cheaper from builders yards but not by much.

Tree stakes, what a fantastic idea! That's inspired me.

Thanks to both of you. I will get some stakes and some expanding trellis I think! Thank you!

twopenny

The willow in my garden is still good after 3yrs. The glaze has come off so I'm intending to use furniture restorer to colour and preserve it. It's worked well on the posts.

Harry, don't get the expanding trellis from Poundland as that was beyond rubbish. The garden centre stuff is probably the best but you pay the price.

I've used 2x2 treated wood and coloured it. That's smooth and has a classy look. But you could do a post with canes tied in a pattern. Perhaps plant ties at the post end and twine to get the initial pattern with the canes so that you can get them in place.

I used cable clips to attach to fencing

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cable-Strong-Durable-Holder-Management/dp/B08RMNPCYN/ref=sr_1_6?adgrpid=48667334810&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImNu73Jq39gIVB-_tCh2saAFmEAAYAiAAEgLUkPD_BwE&hvadid=259027050624&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045292&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9298078164964173084&hvtargid=kwd-297468609543&hydadcr=28146_1752652&keywords=cable+clips&qid=1646766383&sr=8-6

Doesn't matter the shape but the biggest and cheapest from your diy store.

MissRikkiC

I will be fencing off a small barked play area from the rest of the garden this weekend for my children and need 3 sides of a 3.4m square. I wanted a picket style fence. Pricing up panels was expensive as was loose pales to DIY however ti purchase roof batons and cut them down, was about 20% cheaper. It’s still not a few quid but it’s better and will give a more finished look to the garden. You could check this out as the wood is treated and you’d be in essence creating a very similar style to a picket fence. 

Good luck whatever you do!