They say that good fences make good neighbours, and while I tend to agree, I also worry the problems this causes for some of our furried friends who are being shut out of increasingly more habitats as our suburban sprawl with high impenetrable fencing makes life very difficult for some of them.
Did you know that you can create a “living” fence using edible and medicinal plants? Maximize your spaces!
Consider hazelnuts, bush plums or cherries, blackberries, raspberries, high cranberries, gooseberries, currants, rosemary, laurel (bay leaf), rosebush, willow, cedar, and even certain veggies like asparagus, corn, and beans can make excellent screenage between yards, reduces sound pollution and wind, make homes and food for many birds, rabbits, and other wildlife, and provide you with treats too!
Most of these plants in bush form need about 4 feet of diameter space, and can grow from 4 to 6 feet and taller when properly trained. Just ensure the beds holding any of these that are known invasive spreaders are well contained and away from any walls of your house directly and that you’ve purchased the correct variety of plant in its bush form. You can mix and match them to have a variety of colour and bloomage along the fence line.
What useful hedges are your favourites?
Indigenous Food Circle Waterloo Region 