Gardening

cbabe

(4,310 posts) Tue Jun 14, 2022, 11:13 AM Jun 2022

OPINION: IN PRAISE OF A CHAIN-LINK FENCE

https://southseattleemerald.com/2022/06/12/opinion-in-praise-of-a-chain-link-fence/

VOICES
OPINION: IN PRAISE OF A CHAIN-LINK FENCE
JUNE 12, 2022 EDITOR
by Cynthia Welte

Rosie, a raccoon, walked nonchalantly by us as we ate lunch in the backyard early in the pandemic. She waddled under the weeping larch, up one side of the chain-link fence, and right down the other, headfirst down the six-foot metal grid.

…

And the plants love the chain-link fence. They have something to climb, which is vexing with morning glory, but helpful with my star jasmine that can’t seem to grab anything on its own. Clematis climbs it with ease. Shrubs and perennials extend through the fence, softening straight lines.

Where a wood fence would cast shade, strawberries grow in the sun. With a small garden like ours, we can’t afford to block out sunlight.

This is not just a fence of utility, or of prisons or schools or basketball courts. It’s a fence built out of light and sound, perfect for a permeable life.

It has taken me years, but I’m enjoying our chain-link fence now. It lets me commune with the plants and birds and animals and weather and neighbors in the alley. To witness spiderwebs and gently perched hummingbirds. To make friends, or at least share space.

4 replies

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OPINION: IN PRAISE OF A CHAIN-LINK FENCE (Original Post) cbabe Jun 2022 OP

We installed a black-clad chain link fence leftieNanner Jun 2022 #1

Old saying: cbabe Jun 2022 #2

Lilac bush ggma Jun 2022 #4

that's what i have now. there was a redwood one when we moved in. mopinko Jun 2022 #3

leftieNanner

(15,742 posts)

1. We installed a black-clad chain link fence

Reply to cbabe (Original post)

Tue Jun 14, 2022, 11:47 AM

Jun 2022

in our former house. It was on a half acre with a jogging trail behind it. From a distance, it virtually disappeared and it allowed for all the light etc. that's mentioned in the article. We had an orchard with 16 fruit trees and drought tolerant plantings.

We sold the house and down-sized. The new owners put up 8 foot redwood fencing, tore out the orchard, and put in a huge lawn. So much for California's water shortage. It's difficult to leave a well loved house and go back to see what the new owners have done. She tore out our gorgeous solid cherry kitchen cabinets and put in ugly flat-panel white ones. But I digress......

cbabe

(4,310 posts)

2. Old saying:

Reply to leftieNanner (Reply #1)

Tue Jun 14, 2022, 11:53 AM

Jun 2022

All the bad taste money can buy. So sorry.

Nostalgic memories of honeysuckle climbing the alley fences on long hot humid summers.

ggma

(711 posts)

4. Lilac bush

Reply to cbabe (Reply #2)

Tue Jun 14, 2022, 02:26 PM

Jun 2022

in my grandma's side yard. My mom had created a cozy spot between it and the neighbors wooden fence. It was her favorite place to hide so she could read in peace, and she shared it with me alone. I spent many hours there.

ggma

mopinko

(71,965 posts)

3. that's what i have now. there was a redwood one when we moved in.

Reply to leftieNanner (Reply #1)

Tue Jun 14, 2022, 01:23 PM

Jun 2022

it had seen better days. replaced it w a short chain link. loved the sun and the air.
chickens made me put up a taller one. did the black clad. had some great old drive gates cleaned up and installed. it's pretty classy.

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