Planting Under Trees - Part 9: Eectric Fence

» Daffyclay - Eectric Fence

Marge and Barbara,

I was a farm boy 37 years ago!!! Shhhhhhhhhh!

Electric fence does not have to be taut, but should be tight enough so that it doesn't sway more than a generous 6 inches. 10 Feet centers (from the center of the pole to the center of the next pole) is common for normal stock fences, however fifteen feet should do fine for a light electical fence. Fence posts usually don't have to be substantial, also.

However, when you get these things there is usually instructions with them. The height above the ground is the critical distance. If you have a 6 or 7 feet net fense, with an electric fence on top, the wire should be support enough that it does not droop below the top strands of the net fence.

I found that the "cows" on our farm would crop grass from under the fence as far out as they could reach without actually touching the fence, sometimes 30 inches. However, for a garden, I don't think the deer will keep the fence line clean for you. As Barbara said, you have to weed wack it or "round-up" it.

If you were like me, and it wasn't in my front lawn, I'd just ignor the weeds and grass unless they were getting tall enough to interfer with the electric fence.

-- posted by Daffyclay