Here in Philadelphia we've used every different variation of the fence idea over time, and one theme has always emerged. Fences are smoke and mirrors--they're there to mark boundaries--they keep honest people honest, and keep out dogs and small children. Nothing short of landmines will keep out a determined thief who wants your tomatoes.
Seedy Acres vegetable garden for 20+ years had a 5-ft turkeywire fence and sometimes locked gate, and suffered periodic break-ins from neighborhood kids turning over rocks to hunt snakes and throwing tomatoes. It now has an always-locked fake-wrought-iron fence which is rigid and easy to climb, and still suffers periodic break-ins from neighborhood kids turning over rocks to hunt snakes and throwing tomatoes. It is in a high-density residential area and has lots of foot traffic past it at all hours. Keeping the gate locked at all times tends to make for less snake-hunters, but nothing keeps out the hard-core tomato-throwers. Roots Garden has a wood/wire fence, is located in a neighborhood park, and has lots of kid & foot traffic. When the gate is kept locked, there's tremendous vandalism to the gate & fence. After we didn't replace the fourth destroyed gate/lock, the vandalism stopped. Go figure. Tomatoes and fruit still walk, but I've learned over the years that, with a few notable exceptions, most theft of produce is an internal matter. Other gardens have gotten away with post & rail fence, but this works best with ornamental gardens, especially with more generic ornamentals. Little xmas-tree-like shrubs will walk even over a 10-ft chainlink fence with razor-wire. Tall fences, especially stockade fences, especially NEW fences, give the impression that you have something to hide, ie., something worth stealing. Community relations is EVERYTHING. Vandalism happens whether you have a fence or not. If somebody wants to destroy your garden, they'll destroy your garden. If you have a fence, they'll just wreck that first. Sally McCabe ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
