SIMPLE RUSTIC FENCES

rustic fencing

Once Early Man became a Farmer fences became essential. Twigs were a common fencing material for the farm and garden, giving rise to a range of fencing options that offer gardeners exciting and attractive fencing and screening possibilities. This fact sheet describes the construction of simple, long-lasting rustic fences suitable for the garden.

See colour photo of it in use

Materials
2 x 1.5m x 75mm durable stakes.
25 x 900mm x 25mm twigs of any species (13 Beanpoles would be suitable).
2 x 2.5m x 50mm round twig rails.
50 x75mm nails plus a selection of 100 or 150mm galvanised nails.
Optional per post/stake 1/2 bucket hardcore, 3 buckets concrete.

Tools

Cordless drill and 2mm bit
Sledge hammer or mall
saw
Hammer
Tape measure
Spade
Twine

Staking out
Sink posts to a depth of 50cm every 1.8m (6') along the length to be fenced.
Fix bottom and top rails by predrilling and nailing at the heights 		staking out

fixing pickets

Keep the pickets clear of the ground by 75mm

Fixing Pickets

Fix the twine so as to give a level top line. D Lean the pickets, evenly spaced, against the rails along the bay and mark their positions.
Pre-drill and nail the twig pickets level with top line.

1. Erect fence as specified but
trim vertical pickets as shown

2. Erect a third horizontal rail mid-way between the top and bottom rails. Fix and trim the vertical pickets as shown

3. Erect fence as specified. Suspend a string line between the two posts so that it establishes a suitable curve. Trim pickets as indicated by the line. Take care by the posts, as slight visual adjustment will be required to grade into the next curve.

4. Erect posts, rails and top line as previously described. Fix parallel diagonal pickets spaced evenly along one side of the fence. Erect a matching set of pickets but with the diagonal in the opposite direction. Note location of the top and bottom of each picket.

1. Erect fence as specified but trim vertical pickets as shown

 

 

 

2. Erect a third horizontal rail mid-way between the top and bottom rails. Fix and trim the vertical pickets as shown

 

 


3. Erect fence as specified. Suspend a string line between the two posts so that it establishes a suitable curve. Trim pickets as indicated by the line. Take care by the posts, as slight visual adjustment will be required to grade into the next curve.

 

 

4. Erect posts, rails and top line as previously described. Fix parallel diagonal pickets spaced evenly along one side of the fence. Erect a matching set of pickets but with the diagonal in the opposite direction. Note location of the top and bottom of each picket.

designs

MAKING THE FENCE LAST
1 Posts must be naturally durable
timber eq. Sweet Chestnut, or chemically preserved in some way.
Observe precautions on any labels.
For added strength posts can be
concreted into the ground. Allow to dry
before fixing rails

Removing bark from all the wood
will help to deter many pests and
increase chemical preservative
absorption.
Regular (annual) summer
treatment with a non-creosote
preservative will prevent decay.

make it last