One of my plans this year is to create a fence around the orchard, to protect my trees from gnawing rabbits and deer, and to allow me to underplant to create a permaculture garden. I was interested in how to do this cheaply and in keeping with the wild nature of the end of the garden.

I saw on Pinterest something called a ‘compost fence/hedge’ and decided that would work well as a boundary between the woodland area and the orchard. It would support wildlife as well as costing nothing, as I already have the fence poles and I always have plenty of branches/brash that I need to get rid of.

So yesterday, using my new auger I created a row of posts. Ok so not as neatly executed as it could be- but that is hardly the point with such an informal fence. The wonder was that it only took me about an hour to put in 12 posts. The first time ever that a garden project has been easier than anticipated!!

Today I started filling in with branches and other garden debris. It is a work in progress, but you get the idea. Best of all, all the ladybirds that have settled and hidden in the crevices of the branches remain relatively undisturbed and it will be a useful habitat for many more next winter. It may even do something to deter the bigger wildlife from coming through- although I am under no illusions that it will stop them entirely and I am planning to take more stringent measures on the other three sides involving chicken wire as well as hedging plants.

I think it’s coming on a treat and I can keep adding to it as I cut back the hedges at the sides and also prune the apple and pear trees. As a permaculture project, with the idea of using what you have and throwing nothing  in the garden away I think it is pretty good.