beautiful fences to protect your gardenbeautiful fences to protect your garden

If you have a dog or small child, you may have considered adding fencing to your yard to keep them safely contained. Wood fencing is a favorite of homeowners as it improves the look of your yard while doing the duty of keeping animals and children from running off the property. Hiring a fencing contractor is the best way to make sure that you have a safely installed fence, but if you are handy with tools, you may want to undertake the project on your own. Here are some basic instructions for installing your own wood fence.

Materials You Will Need

• Stakes
• Hammer
• Twine
• Measuring tape
• Post hole digger or shovel
• Crushed gravel
• Ready-to-mix cement
• Large bucket
• Mixing stick
• Level
• Wood posts
• Wood rails
• Wood pickets
• Wooden gate
• Decking screws
• Screwdriver
• Spacers
• Someone to assist you

Plot The Path

Hammer a stake into the ground every eight feet along the path where you wish to place the perimeter of your fence. Tie a piece of twine on one stake and string it along stake to stake until they are all tied together, showing you exactly where your fence will be placed. The stakes will be replaced by posts later.

Place The Posts

Use your post hole digger or shovel to dig down to a measurement of one-third of your post height. Fill the holes with six inches of crushed gravel. This will help keep your fence from sinking into the ground during wet conditions.

Mix the powdered cement with the appropriate amount of water as specified on the back of the package. Have a friend help you by holding the posts in place as you pour the cement into each hole and allow it to dry before continuing the project. Use a level to make sure the post is straight before the cement sets.

Finish The Fence

Attach the rails to each post using decking screws. Screw each rail in a horizontal position, one about six inches down from the top of each post and the other about six inches up from the ground. Continue this procedure on each post. Leave space in between two posts for your gate, which can be placed using the hardware that comes with the gate packaging. Use spacers to help you keep uniformity as you add the pickets to the bottom and top rails using screws. When your fence is completely installed, paint or stain it to help protect the wood from wear.

If you don't care to tackle the project on your own, one company that can assist you with the job is Lindsey Fence Co.