Fences Build Good Neighbors - Part 1
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- jerrib
- aburke123
- Barbara Nicholson Bell
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Georgene A. Bramlage
- CarolWallace
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Georgene A. Bramlage
- jerrib
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Georgene A. Bramlage
- roslinds
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» jerrib - I have long known the thought
"Good fences make good neighbors," but I didn't know it was from Robert Frost.We were the first to build on acre lots in our neighborhood and ended up having to build a privacy fence when a neighbor placed their house looking into our many-windowed family room. It has been a life-saver. You can see parts of the fence in my small photo at my site, but all the shrubs cover it and make it pretty. We also planted more evergreens to keep ourselves isolated (though we love our neighbors).
I have always liked picket fences but have never had one. We are going to be moving when my husband retires. Maybe I'll get that picket fence and now I can even relate it to Robert Frost. How wonderful!
Enjoyed your article.
-- posted by jerrib
» aburke123 - GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS
I studied this poem in prep school over 50 years ago, and its meanings ring even truer today as land increases in cost and properties become smaller. I was brought up on seven acres of country land in a small New England town. We children were taught at an early age that trespassing was a definite no no. I believe that strongly still and deplore the general public's lack of knowledge on this subject. Now in my retirement, I live in a small city on less than a quarter acre. How many children have gazed at me in amazement as I tried to explain the concept of property ownership to them -- that this land was mine and they were not to walk on it unless I specifically gave them permission to? And their parents, too! Oh, well -- it may take time, but they do learn eventually.Sometimes, though, the answer to a neighbor's unsightly back yard and ruffian dogs is a good high barricade fence. I put mine up three years ago. I ran it up the property line from the front of my house to almost the back of the property. There, in keeping with Mother Nature, I had the men install the fence in a graceful arc instead of a harsh right angle and continue on across part of the back of the property. It's as if the fence gently embraces the property. And it certainly gives me a wonderful feeling of privacy and protection as well as many gardening opportunities.
Shortly after my fence was installed, I watched with a smile as my backyard neighbor barricade-fenced his property. Then the house two houses down. Then the one two houses up and in back. And more and more around town, people are putting up barricade fences. I'll be interested to see if they dress up their fences with vines and the like. I've already added a wisteria and three trumpet vines and one honeysuckle plus moved in self-sewn hollyhocks and glads. I wonder if my fellow townsmen feel as comfortable inside their fences as I do?
-- posted by aburke123
» Barbara Nicholson Bell - Re: GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS
In response to message posted by aburke123:It sounds as though your neighborhood is like mine. I look forward to putting up a privacy fence around my yard, so I don't have to look at the neighbors' trash or worry about the kids who cut through my yard on their way to school. You are right, the concept of "ownership" of land has not been taught to them, apparently.
-- posted by Barbara Nicholson Bell
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Georgene A. Bramlage
- Re: GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS
Anne, Thanks for your wonderfully descriptive addition to our discussion and Barbara, thanks, for the vote of confidence with regard to privacy fences. I guess I prefer to call them "privacy" as opposed to "barricade."
Yes, Frost really illustrates the need for privacy, both physical and mental in that poem. Maybe the reason why so many people find New Englanders reserved is because of their close British and European ties and the learned respect for others' property.
Yes, indeed, a good-looking fence in the proper location creates many gardening opportunities. And as you've found out as soon as one person in a neighborhood takes the plunge especially with regard to fencing and landscape most neighbors quickly follow. I've just bought a digital camera which means I can get pictures up on this site very quickly to illustrate various scenarios and opportunities. Look for more about fences creating microclimates.
I grew up in a very European-type neighborhood in Cleveland, OH and very quickly learned which neighbors' yards I could cut across or wonder through. Fences and hedges were much in evidence although there seemed to be height restrictions. I liked my Mom's approach to children picking her flowers...when she'd "catch" them, she asked that they come to the door and let her cut some for them to take home. :+) Where my Mom & Dad live now, about five minutes away from the old neighborhood, there is still a European ambiance, many fences and definitely a height ordinance of about 4 feet. As for privacy and respect for personal property...My Mom still fights with the mailman (including calls to his supervisor) about using the sidewalk and not cutting across the lawn :+)
I could go on and on...maybe this is the beginning of another article!
I really do believe, and have seen evidence for it many times, that even in a free republic, people still need their privacy, security and comfort.
Thanks to your both for stopping by :+)
-- posted by Georgene A. Bramlage
» CarolWallace - Re: Re: GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS
In response to message posted by Cercis:I grew up in suburban Detroit where the only fence anyone ever seemed to have heard of was the cyclone fence - except for my next door neighbor who had post and rail - it seemed terribly romantic to me for some reason. Easier to climb, too. ;-)
Here our property is too large for fencing, although we do have a drystone retaining wall running along the front of the property. If I'd saved every rock I've had to dig out of the ground in order to plant something I could probably make a decent fence! However, we have made do with a barrier of pine trees reinforced with old garden roses. There is an apartment complex behind us (developed by the previous owner of our house) and the tenants seemed to think our yard was their park. Since the trees have grown (and the roses) and we now have some privacy again I am beginning to think more charitably of all those apartment dwellers.
I do have fond memories of my grandmother's fence - she actually did have long conversations about her garden over it with the lady who lived behind her. I was only eight when she died, so my recollections of it are hazy, except that it was wooden and had a gate and is what always comes to mind when we talk about backyard fences.
-- posted by CarolWallace
»
Georgene A. Bramlage
- GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS / Family Folklore
"...I do have fond memories of my grandmother's fence - she actually did have long conversations about her garden over it with the lady who lived behind her. I was only eight when she died, so my recollections of it are hazy, except that it was wooden and had a gate and is what always comes to mind when we talk about backyard fences..." Carol, That is a lovely memory :+) It could be the beginning of a nice article for you and your relatives to have to remember your grandmother...even if you embellished it a bit from an 8-year-old point of view.
Check out Virginia Marin's Folklore Site and her last few articles for a little cross-topic pollination. What Virginia
says about family folklore made me realize how important are some of the snippets of family information that I weave into my gardening articles. I've started to expand on these snippets and put them together into a memory book. Thanks for contributing your memory to this discussion. Cheers!
-- posted by Georgene A. Bramlage
»
Georgene A. Bramlage
- Re: GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS
Jerri, Thanks a bunch! Come back often :+) Right now, I'm reading a book about Seattle...brings back some memories. My daughter worked there for three years, so in visiting got to know the city pretty well. Also took in how residents managed to maintain privacy on the smaller city lots with some rather ingenious ideas. The grist for another article :+)
-- posted by Georgene A. Bramlage
» roslinds - SINGING WALLS
Hi Cercis..'Mending Wall' is one of my favorite poems....We are just in the process of building a fence, so your informative article sure fits the bill....
This a little off topic... but have you ever experiemented playing music to your plants?..The book, " The Secret Life of Plants " may be an interesting addition to your library... Thanks for the visit to Classical Diva.
-- posted by roslinds
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