| "Good fences make good neighbors," wrote a | | | | for some ideas on how to use fencing in |
| beloved American poet decades ago. There is | | | | creative ways. |
| some truth in the idea that some of us | | | | |
| function better when we know and respect | | | | 3. Get the type of fencing that serves your |
| common boundaries. This can be especially | | | | purposes. An invisible dog fence will help to |
| true when we put up fences in our lawns and | | | | keep your pets from wandering off the |
| around our property to keep trespassers out | | | | premises. But it will not keep other dogs or |
| and the children or pets in. Still, it's not | | | | animals from approaching your dog. You may |
| easy choosing where to put up fencing, the | | | | need a chain link fence to prevent other kids |
| type that will best fit a property, and the | | | | or pets from wandering over your lawn and |
| most effective for a particular purpose. Here | | | | perhaps doing damage or causing problems by |
| are a few tips that might help as you face | | | | digging up a flowerbed or chasing your cats. |
| this particular dilemma. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Decorative fencing adds attractive |
| 1. Choose a style that meshes with your | | | | accents. Consider adding a wooden rail fence |
| property style. For example, if your home is | | | | in just a corner of your yard as a focus |
| a Victorian, look for old-fashioned fencing | | | | point, perhaps accented by clusters of |
| designs that bring back the days of old, like | | | | daffodils or mums. A low vinyl picket fence |
| a white picket style. Instead of the painted | | | | makes a nice border along the side of the |
| wood framework that quickly peels and can | | | | garage or shed. Use your creativity while |
| easily rot, you can now get vinyl fences that | | | | shopping at lawn and garden stores or |
| look like traditional wood but will actually | | | | browsing catalogs to select a useful or |
| hold up much longer and require little | | | | attractive fence that will add to your |
| maintenance. | | | | property's value. |
| | | | |
| 2. Look for fencing that will fit your | | | | Fences can be functional or aesthetic in |
| property structure. For example, even if you | | | | nature; it's really up to you. There are |
| love wrought iron spikes, they may not look | | | | numerous styles, materials, and designs |
| that great on your country farmhouse lawn. | | | | available today, and you can shop online if |
| Choose a design that flows with the overall | | | | you aren't able to get out to the stores. |
| theme of your yard or lawn. You might want to | | | | Fencing all or part of your property can help |
| get a few sample pieces and try them in | | | | to protect it, discourage intruders, and make |
| various places of your open space to see how | | | | it attractive simultaneously. Don't overlook |
| they fit. Or check out images on the Internet | | | | fencing options when planning next year's |
| and possibly drive around the neighborhood | | | | lawn or garden. |