There is a special kind of peace that comes from tending a garden. You pour your time, energy, and care into cultivating beautiful flowers and delicious, fresh produce. It is a labor of love, a connection to the earth, and a source of immense satisfaction. So, when you discover that your carefully nurtured plants have become a midnight snack for the local wildlife, the frustration is completely understandable.
You want to protect your garden, but the thought of harming the very creatures that share our local ecosystem just does not sit right. Greenhill Fencing, Inc. believes you can have a thriving garden and a clear conscience. This is about creating boundaries that are respected by animals, not about creating harmful barriers. We are going to explore some fantastic fencing styles that keep your garden safe while treating our wild neighbors with respect. Plus, with many paint colors and sizes to choose from, you can find the perfect match for the aesthetics of your landscape design. Keep reading to explore more about us and what we offer to Willow Grove residents just like you!
Common Garden Invaders and Their Behaviors
In our corner of Pennsylvania, a few usual suspects are likely responsible for your garden woes. Deer, with their graceful but voracious appetites, can decimate a vegetable patch overnight, happily munching on everything from tender lettuce to the leaves of your tomato plants. Then, we have the smaller but equally determined critters. Rabbits have a particular fondness for leafy greens and can snip through young seedlings with surgical precision.
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are powerful diggers and can burrow right under a less-than-secure fence to get to their favorite veggies. Raccoons, with their clever paws, can be surprisingly adept at getting through or over simple barriers, especially if there is something tempting on the other side. Understanding who you are trying to deter is the first step in choosing the right kind of protection.
Wildlife-Friendly Fence Options to Consider for Your Garden
Choosing a fence for your garden design is about finding that perfect balance between effectiveness and kindness. The goal is to make your garden less accessible and less appealing than other available food sources, encouraging wildlife to simply move along. Fortunately, there are several excellent fencing materials and designs that achieve this without posing a threat to the animals. These options work by creating a physical or psychological deterrent that animals learn to avoid. It’s a gentle yet firm way of saying, “This space is off-limits.” We will walk you through some of the best choices for a garden that is both protected and peaceful.
Welded Wire Fencing with Smooth Top Rails
Welded wire fencing is a wonderfully effective and humane option for keeping a wide range of animals out of your garden. The small, consistent mesh pattern prevents smaller critters like rabbits and groundhogs from squeezing through. For this application, a smooth top rail is a significant feature, as it removes the risk of sharp points that could injure a deer or other animal that might attempt to jump over it.
This type of fence is strong and durable, standing up to the elements and the persistence of hungry animals. The black PVC-coated varieties are particularly popular because they tend to visually recede into the landscape, giving you a clear view of your beautiful garden without a sense of being caged in.
Polypropylene or Plastic Mesh Fencing
For those looking for a flexible, less imposing, and often more budget-friendly solution, polypropylene or plastic mesh fencing is an excellent choice. This material is surprisingly strong and is often treated to resist the sun’s UV rays, giving it a good lifespan. The key to its wildlife-friendly nature is its flexibility and visibility; animals are less likely to get entangled in it compared to more rigid, sharp-edged materials.
When installed correctly, it creates a barrier that deer will typically avoid, as they are often wary of materials that move and are difficult for them to gauge. For smaller animals that might chew, you can even add a strip of metal fencing along the bottom to deter any nibbling.
Electric Fencing (Low-Voltage Options)
The idea of an electric fence might sound alarming at first, but modern low-voltage systems are a safe and incredibly effective way to teach animals to keep their distance. These fences do not harm animals; instead, they deliver a brief, startling pulse of electricity upon contact. The sensation is unpleasant enough that the animal quickly learns to associate the fence with the shock and will steer clear of your garden in the future.
These systems are especially useful for deterring clever animals like raccoons and persistent deer. It is a psychological barrier that respects the animal’s ability to learn and adapt, protecting your plants without causing any lasting harm.
Split Rail Fencing with Wire Inserts
Many people love the classic, rustic charm of a split rail fence, but on its own, it does not do much to stop garden pests. The wide gaps between the rails are an open invitation for almost any creature to wander through. That is where wire inserts come in to save the day. You can maintain that beautiful, open, and natural aesthetic while making your fence a formidable barrier.
Attaching a roll of welded wire or other sturdy mesh to the inside of the split rail fence effectively closes off those gaps to deer and smaller animals. This solution offers the best of both worlds: the timeless look of wood and the reliable protection of a wire mesh fence.
Deer Fencing with Angled Extensions
Deer are impressive jumpers, and a standard vertical fence might not be enough to deter a truly motivated individual. This is where understanding their physical limitations comes in handy. While deer can jump high, they have poor depth perception and struggle with jumping both high and wide at the same time. Angled extensions at the top of a fence play on this weakness.
These extensions, which are typically angled outwards at about 45 degrees, create a visual and physical barrier that makes the deer uncertain if they can clear it. This uncertainty is usually enough to make them decide it is not worth the effort, and they will go in search of an easier meal elsewhere.
Fortify Your Garden & Your Investment With Expert Installation
You can choose the absolute best materials for your garden fence, but a poor installation can undermine the whole project. A professionally installed fence is a secure fence. Our team at Greenhill Fencing, Inc. has the experience to know how deep to set the posts for stability and how to properly secure the fencing material so there are no weak spots for animals to exploit.
We make sure that the bottom of your fence is flush with the ground to deter burrowing animals and that gates are hung correctly to close securely every time. Investing in expert installation protects your investment in the fence itself and, most importantly, provides you with the peace of mind that your garden is truly safe.
Beyond the Garden Gate: Fencing Options for Your Whole Yard
Your garden might be your immediate concern, but we offer a variety of other fence styles for every part of your property. If you love the low-maintenance life, our PVC fencing offers privacy and a clean, modern look in a variety of colors that will not fade or break down. For a classic and highly durable option, chain link fencing remains a popular choice, securing boundaries and blending into the landscape, especially in its black or green vinyl-coated forms.
If you desire a touch of elegance, our aluminum fencing offers the look of wrought iron without the high cost or maintenance, making it perfect for enclosing a pool or defining your property line with style. And, of course, the versatility and natural beauty of wood fencing, like a rustic picket fence, offers endless possibilities to enhance your home’s curb appeal and security.
Call Today for Garden Fencing & More!
Your garden is your sanctuary, and it deserves to be protected. If you are tired of battling with the local wildlife for your harvest, give us a call at Greenhill Fencing, Inc. We would be happy to discuss your specific needs with you and help you select a wildlife-friendly fencing option that suits your space and budget. We can help you create a beautiful, secure, and humane barrier that lets you enjoy the fruits of your labor in peace. Contact our customer service team today to get started on keeping those critters out.