Securing Property Borders

There are a number of potential problems homeowners may face in the garden. Many are due to the effects of the elements on garden plants: wind and rain contribute to soil erosion, long dry spells cause dehydration, local insect or animal pests may consume foliage at will. Garden theft is often a negligible concern for most homeowners prior to planting, but it does happen. Expensive items such as stone birdbaths, stained glass ornaments, wooden carvings, or even well-made planting pots may all be subject to theft or damage from animal pests. By taking a few simple steps, however, homeowners can vastly reduce the chances of theft and damage on their property.

Securing property borders begins with assessing the threats involved. Are items being stolen or deliberately broken? It can sometimes be difficult to tell whether an animal or human party is responsible. Survey the damage carefully: what has been broken or moved? What kinds of footprints have been made? Are any items missing? In the case of footprints or other obvious signs of human intrusion, it is best for homeowners to alert the authorities. Reporting vandalism or theft will give law enforcement officers the chance to track similar incidents in the local area.

When determining how best to secure their property’s borders, DIY landscapers also need to have an exact location for each of the property’s boundaries. This may be obtained in the legal description of the property obtained at the local municipal building inspector’s office. These documents will allow homeowners to determine the most effective locations for fences and walls while at the same time avoiding problems with the neighbors. Once there is some idea of how to proceed, DIY landscapers can begin making decisions with regard to barriers. Fences and walls are good choices and construction materials vary widely based on aesthetic preferences and budgetary concerns.

For homeowners wishing to keep to a more natural theme, dense hedge bushes may be the best choice. Many hedge varieties mature into an impassable barrier that requires little maintenance, serves as an excellent natural windbreak, and muffles external noise. For more severe problems (or particularly high-leaping animal pests), a tall fence may be in order. Soft woods such as pine provide an economical alternative to heavier stone and wrought-iron fences. For wooden fences where the posts are in constant contact with the ground, the posts should be a hard wood such as cedar to bolster resistance to moisture and rot. Interworking sharp decorative design along the top of the fence may also help discourage unwanted visitors.

Tags: property, damage, landscape, homeowner, fence, hedge