Alternatives to wood? Fence, deck and canopy of living greenery

1. Making a green fence is not expensive and looks beautiful
Building your fence completely without wood is difficult. But you can replace parts for steel grid screens with climbing plants or make a fence from willow twigs from our own Netherlands.

Willow twigs usually come from the pollard willow, which often grows in the Netherlands. When making a fence, use thin posts, such as 6 cm thick round chestnut posts or 6×6 cm square Azobe hardwood posts. Place the posts every 50 cm (gap). Weave the willows alternately around the posts. Always alternate between thin and thick sides. Always tamp well in each row. Without covering with climbing plants, a willow fence will last about 7 years, with (preferably evergreen) covering climbing plants about 10 years. Always cut the willow branches diagonally with pruning shears. Think of the evergreen Hedera or Tuscan jasmine for example. Prune well so that it does not become too heavy and keep it compact, prevent overgrowth.

Fence with steel trellis for climbing plants

Okay, we can’t ignore the wooden garden posts for your fence. Choose sustainable posts made of Azobe or luxury Bankirai hardwood, impregnated pine, Accoya (50 year guarantee in the ground) or Nobifix. Also do not choose too thin posts, the thinner the shorter the lifespan and the less strong the posts are in a storm.

Place galvanized metal trellis screens of 180×180 cm between the garden posts. These are very affordable, compact and close off your garden. Let it grow with climbing plants. For example, opt for the edible climbing grape, wisteria or evergreen climbers such as Clematis armandii, Tuscan jasmine or Hedera (watch out for these proliferates). Combining two types is also very cool. Yarinde’s experts are happy to help you with suggestions that suit your garden. We look at your type of soil, position in your garden (sun/shade) and your personal wishes in terms of flowering colors and so on.

Of course you can completely close certain parts of your fence with planks or screens. The alternation of wood and greenery also creates more depth in your garden. By the way, be careful with composite plastic, this is often not very strong and very difficult to recycle.

This galvanized steel mat trellis hangs 10 cm above the ground for a longer life. With proper fertilization, it will grow full of evergreen Hedera within a few years. Here too, the combination of partly fencing, partly steel trellis with vegetation was used. The posts are made of 7×7 cm thick Azobe tropical hardwood, you can also choose Nobifix, Accoya or impregnated wooden posts if you are looking for a sustainable European alternative.

Already fully grown Ready hedges are scarce and pricey
The so-called ready-made hedges, completely green-covered steel grids, are also an option. However, these are difficult to obtain and the prices are very high. Making your own fence from loose posts and iron trellis mats is a lot cheaper, however. After a few years, your fence will also be completely overgrown, but make sure to fertilize it correctly every year. Your green boundary with flowering climbing plants also improves biodiversity and the absorption of rainwater.

Hedge plants as a boundary
Do you have a little more space for your hedge? Then you can of course also make a partition from hedge plants. The Portuguese laurel has a nice dark growth and relatively narrow. It likes to be in a sheltered place out of the wind. Other alternatives are the Gloss Medlar, Yew, Olive Willow shrub or an old-fashioned conifer hedge.

2. A living green terrace that can be walked on, is that possible too?
Everything from patio tiles to decking has become considerably more expensive in the past 2 years. Anyone who thinks outside the box and dares can also opt for a terrace made of French bark. A very special alternative is a green terrace that can be walked on. However, this is only possible on terraces that are not used intensively. Creeping thyme and Sagina (resembling walkable moss) in particular are walkable ground covers. Creeping thyme is stronger than Sagina Subulata. Always choose a different walkway and move your garden furniture every now and then. A picnic table that stands firmly is the most convenient. Chairs with chair legs are too fragile. Not suitable for high heels, heavy shoes and (wild) parties.

1. Making a green fence is not expensive and looks beautiful Building your fence completely without wood is difficult. But you can replace parts for steel grid screens with climbing plants or make a fence from willow twigs from our own Netherlands. Willow twigs usually come from the pollard willow, which often grows in the…