horticulture cd unit c3-6: nursery, landscaping, and gardening

Horticulture CDHorticulture CD

Unit C3-6:Unit C3-6:

Nursery, Landscaping, Nursery, Landscaping, and Gardeningand Gardening

Problem Area 3. Problem Area 3.

Landscape InstallationLandscape Installation

Lesson 6. Lesson 6.

Installing Fences and Installing Fences and WallsWalls

Interest ApproachInterest Approach

Fences and walls are a ubiquitous Fences and walls are a ubiquitous component of the modern world. component of the modern world.

Why do you think Fences and walls Why do you think Fences and walls are so prevalent? are so prevalent?

Can you name some of the Can you name some of the functions of fences?functions of fences?

Are there fences around the school?Are there fences around the school?

Student Learning ObjectivesStudent Learning Objectives

1. Explain the reasons for installing a 1. Explain the reasons for installing a fence or wall.fence or wall.

2. Describe the different parts of a 2. Describe the different parts of a fence.fence.

3. Discuss how to properly install a 3. Discuss how to properly install a fence.fence.

4. Describe the different materials used 4. Describe the different materials used to build a retaining wall.to build a retaining wall.

5. Explain how to install a retaining wall.5. Explain how to install a retaining wall.

TermsTerms

BatterBatter

BayBay

EnclosureEnclosure

FenceFence

GateGate

InfillInfill

PostPost

PicketPicket

ScreenScreen

WallWall

Weep holesWeep holes

Why should a fence or wall be installed?Why should a fence or wall be installed?

I. Fences or walls are frequently I. Fences or walls are frequently installed in a landscape project. installed in a landscape project.

As the old saying goes “Good As the old saying goes “Good fences make good neighbors.” fences make good neighbors.” – Fences may provide safety or privacy. Fences may provide safety or privacy. – They can mark property boundaries or They can mark property boundaries or

establish or enhance an outdoor room. establish or enhance an outdoor room. – They can even affect the microclimate of a They can even affect the microclimate of a

location by reducing wind or the intensity of location by reducing wind or the intensity of the sun.the sun.

Why should a fence or wall be Why should a fence or wall be installed?installed?

A. An enclosure is any landscape A. An enclosure is any landscape feature which is used to close in or feature which is used to close in or separate one part of the landscape separate one part of the landscape from another. from another.

Fences are enclosures which have Fences are enclosures which have posts and rails. posts and rails.


Most fences are made of wood, Most fences are made of wood, plastic, or metal. plastic, or metal.

Walls are more permanent Walls are more permanent enclosures, usually made of brick, enclosures, usually made of brick, stone or concrete.stone or concrete.


There are many reasons for building There are many reasons for building a wall or fence:a wall or fence:– 1. Protect property1. Protect property– 2. Provide security for children or pets2. Provide security for children or pets– 3. Ensure privacy3. Ensure privacy– 4. Create a microclimate4. Create a microclimate– 5. Screen unappealing views5. Screen unappealing views– 6. Mark property lines6. Mark property lines


C. A screen is a fence or planting C. A screen is a fence or planting which is used to provide visual which is used to provide visual privacy, to block an objectionable privacy, to block an objectionable view, or to create a microclimate. view, or to create a microclimate. – Typically screens are close to a patio Typically screens are close to a patio

or planting where they provide or planting where they provide maximum protection or increased maximum protection or increased privacy.privacy.


D. Fence materials should match D. Fence materials should match the material of the building they are the material of the building they are adjacent to. adjacent to.

A split rail fence would look A split rail fence would look awkward next to a formal brick awkward next to a formal brick residence, as would an elaborate residence, as would an elaborate stone wall next to a small cabin. stone wall next to a small cabin.


While cost may be a limiting factor, While cost may be a limiting factor, a good style choice can moderate a good style choice can moderate the use of a different material the use of a different material selection. selection.

There are many types of fencing There are many types of fencing available, depending on the look available, depending on the look desired or the purpose of the fence.desired or the purpose of the fence.


1. Wood fences have been used for 1. Wood fences have been used for as long as man has been making as long as man has been making fences. fences. – Wood fences are flexible in use, are Wood fences are flexible in use, are

relatively inexpensive, and can be relatively inexpensive, and can be both secure and private.both secure and private.

– Wood fences can also be used as a Wood fences can also be used as a design feature or to mark off property design feature or to mark off property lines.lines.


2. Plastic fences are a good choice 2. Plastic fences are a good choice for the property owner who wants for the property owner who wants the look of wood without the regular the look of wood without the regular upkeep it entails.upkeep it entails.– They are more expensive initially but They are more expensive initially but

will not need painting or other will not need painting or other maintenance.maintenance.


3. Metal fences provide good 3. Metal fences provide good security while allowing views of the security while allowing views of the property they protect.property they protect.– They can be made of chain link or They can be made of chain link or

wrought iron. wrought iron. – Some municipalities prohibit or limit Some municipalities prohibit or limit

the use of chain link fencing due to it’s the use of chain link fencing due to it’s less appealing appearance.less appealing appearance.


4. Masonry walls are made of 4. Masonry walls are made of concrete block, poured concrete, concrete block, poured concrete, brick or even adobe.brick or even adobe.– They are extremely solid creating both They are extremely solid creating both

microclimates and sound barriers in microclimates and sound barriers in addition to providing security or addition to providing security or privacy.privacy.

How can the different parts of a fence How can the different parts of a fence be properly identified?be properly identified?

II. Fences, whether built on site or II. Fences, whether built on site or preassembled, have certain preassembled, have certain characteristics in common.characteristics in common.


A. Wooden fences have posts, rails, A. Wooden fences have posts, rails, and infill.and infill.– A post is a strong upright which A post is a strong upright which

supports a fence. supports a fence. – The distance between two posts is The distance between two posts is

known as a bay.known as a bay.


Infill is the material fastened to the Infill is the material fastened to the posts to provide the security or posts to provide the security or privacy. privacy.

Fences with infill usually have two Fences with infill usually have two rails (or stringers) which run from rails (or stringers) which run from post to post and provide post to post and provide reinforcement for the infill.reinforcement for the infill.


B. A gate is a movable barriers in a B. A gate is a movable barriers in a fence that allows for passing fence that allows for passing through. through. – Most gates are attached by hinges Most gates are attached by hinges

and are fastened by some sort of and are fastened by some sort of latch. latch.

– Usually gates are constructed out of Usually gates are constructed out of the same or similar materials as the the same or similar materials as the fence itself.fence itself.

How is a fence installed?How is a fence installed?

III. Fence installation, whether of III. Fence installation, whether of plastic, wood, or chain link, involves plastic, wood, or chain link, involves several steps.several steps.– A. A solid fence is reliant upon a solid A. A solid fence is reliant upon a solid

footing for the posts.footing for the posts.

How is a fence installed?How is a fence installed?1. Once property lines have been 1. Once property lines have been established, holes are dug for the posts, established, holes are dug for the posts, starting in a corner. starting in a corner. – Post holes can be dug by hand using a post hole Post holes can be dug by hand using a post hole

digger or they can be drilled out using a power digger or they can be drilled out using a power auger. auger.

– The holes should be in depth about one third the The holes should be in depth about one third the height of the post above ground, plus six inches. height of the post above ground, plus six inches.

– In colder climates the hole depth is determined In colder climates the hole depth is determined by the frost line.by the frost line.

– The post holes must be deeper than the frost The post holes must be deeper than the frost line or the fence could be thrown out of alignment line or the fence could be thrown out of alignment by frost heaving.by frost heaving.

How is a fence installed?How is a fence installed?2. Holes should not be too wide 2. Holes should not be too wide (approximately six inches wider than the (approximately six inches wider than the post) since the soil itself will help to hold the post) since the soil itself will help to hold the pole in place. pole in place. – A layer of gravel six inches in depth is poured A layer of gravel six inches in depth is poured

into the hole to act as a base and to reduce wood into the hole to act as a base and to reduce wood rot.rot.

– Gravel is backfilled into the hole and is then Gravel is backfilled into the hole and is then tamped for compaction. tamped for compaction.

– Alternatively, concrete can be poured. Post holes Alternatively, concrete can be poured. Post holes which are filled with concrete need to be quite a which are filled with concrete need to be quite a bit bigger (generally 2x larger in other posthole), bit bigger (generally 2x larger in other posthole), and should be allowed to set for several days. and should be allowed to set for several days.

– Check for height and plumb several times Check for height and plumb several times through-out the process.through-out the process.


3. Post spacing varies depending on 3. Post spacing varies depending on the fencing choice. the fencing choice. – Generally posts should be on 8 foot Generally posts should be on 8 foot

centers.centers.


B. Rails, or stringers, are attached B. Rails, or stringers, are attached to the posts using a fastening to the posts using a fastening method. method. – The infill is then attached to the rails. In some The infill is then attached to the rails. In some

cases metal hangers may be used or the fence cases metal hangers may be used or the fence may be bolted onto the posts directly. may be bolted onto the posts directly.

– Some fences use a mortise and tenon technique Some fences use a mortise and tenon technique to attach runners or infill. to attach runners or infill.

– A picket fence uses pickets, pointed wooden A picket fence uses pickets, pointed wooden stakes between 1-2 inches in width, to form the stakes between 1-2 inches in width, to form the infill.infill.


C. Gates are usually prefabricated. C. Gates are usually prefabricated.

Attach the hinges and gate Attach the hinges and gate hardware to the gate panel, then hardware to the gate panel, then prop in place. prop in place. – Attach the hinges to one gate post Attach the hinges to one gate post

being sure to check the gate for being sure to check the gate for proper swing. proper swing.

– Attach the latch hardware to the other Attach the latch hardware to the other post, adjusting for proper closure.post, adjusting for proper closure.

What materials are the best choice for What materials are the best choice for retaining walls?retaining walls?

IV. Many different materials can be IV. Many different materials can be used as a retaining wall, from used as a retaining wall, from treated wood or railroad ties, to treated wood or railroad ties, to segmental wall units, to dry laid segmental wall units, to dry laid stone, to poured concrete. stone, to poured concrete. – The choice of material is reliant upon The choice of material is reliant upon

use, desired appearance, cost, and use, desired appearance, cost, and height of the wall.height of the wall.


A. Treated wood, railroad ties, and A. Treated wood, railroad ties, and landscape timbers can all be cost landscape timbers can all be cost effective strategies for building a effective strategies for building a retaining wall.retaining wall.– Railroad ties are the cheapest but they Railroad ties are the cheapest but they

have many flaws which include heavy have many flaws which include heavy weight and inconsistent dimensions. weight and inconsistent dimensions.

– Landscape timbers (not edging timbers) Landscape timbers (not edging timbers) have many of the positives of railroad ties have many of the positives of railroad ties without the negatives. without the negatives.

– Generally, wood retaining walls are not Generally, wood retaining walls are not built higher than four feet.built higher than four feet.


B. Segmental wall units include B. Segmental wall units include mortarless block wall systems which mortarless block wall systems which come in pinned wall units, lipped wall come in pinned wall units, lipped wall units, and anchored units. units, and anchored units. – Segmental walls are very stable when Segmental walls are very stable when

properly installed and can be engineered to properly installed and can be engineered to greater heights than some of the other greater heights than some of the other alternatives.alternatives.

– They can form curves or serpentine shapes They can form curves or serpentine shapes easily. easily.

– Segmental walls are moderately expensive Segmental walls are moderately expensive to install.to install.


C. Dry laid stone walls are highly C. Dry laid stone walls are highly attractive but tend to be expensive attractive but tend to be expensive due to the quarrying, weight, and due to the quarrying, weight, and installation preparation that needs to installation preparation that needs to be done. be done. – Dry laid stone walls do not use mortar Dry laid stone walls do not use mortar

and are not a good choice for higher and are not a good choice for higher walls due to their possible instability.walls due to their possible instability.


D. Poured concrete is a strong and D. Poured concrete is a strong and durable choice but it has little durable choice but it has little aesthetic appeal. aesthetic appeal. – When poured concrete is used, it is When poured concrete is used, it is

important that weep holes are incorporated important that weep holes are incorporated at the base of the wall, or hydrostatic at the base of the wall, or hydrostatic pressure can actually topple the concrete. pressure can actually topple the concrete.

– Weep holes are small holes which allow Weep holes are small holes which allow ground- or rainwater to drain through the ground- or rainwater to drain through the wall.wall.

How is a retaining wall properly installed?How is a retaining wall properly installed?

V. Installation of a retaining wall is V. Installation of a retaining wall is reliant upon establishing a proper reliant upon establishing a proper base. base.

No matter what method or material No matter what method or material is used, the footing is the key to a is used, the footing is the key to a well-built wall. well-built wall. – Once the proper footing is in place, the first Once the proper footing is in place, the first

course is carefully placed. course is carefully placed. – If the first course is improperly laid, the If the first course is improperly laid, the

entire wall will be out of alignment.entire wall will be out of alignment.

How is a retaining wall properly How is a retaining wall properly installed?installed?

A. Wood retaining walls usually A. Wood retaining walls usually have the first course buried to have the first course buried to increase wall stability. increase wall stability.

A good rule of thumb is that for each A good rule of thumb is that for each foot above ground, the base should foot above ground, the base should be buried one inch, with a minimum be buried one inch, with a minimum of at least one course below grade.of at least one course below grade.


1. Once placed, three foot long steel 1. Once placed, three foot long steel reinforcing bars are driven into the reinforcing bars are driven into the timbers to reinforce the timbers to reinforce the emplacement. emplacement.


The next row of ties or timbers The next row of ties or timbers should be stepped back about one should be stepped back about one inch, a technique which creates inch, a technique which creates batter, the backward leaning or batter, the backward leaning or stepping of a wall. stepping of a wall. – Each course is laid with timbers Each course is laid with timbers

overlapping in a staggered fashion, overlapping in a staggered fashion, much like brickwork.much like brickwork.

How is a retaining wall properly installed?How is a retaining wall properly installed?

2. Walls are generally backfilled with 2. Walls are generally backfilled with gravel or soil. gravel or soil.

Additionally, some walls will use Additionally, some walls will use anchoring to increase the stability of anchoring to increase the stability of the wall. the wall. – Anchors can be vertical (upright timbers Anchors can be vertical (upright timbers

placed in front of the wall) and deadmen placed in front of the wall) and deadmen (horizontal anchors that are connected to (horizontal anchors that are connected to the face of the wall and run back into the the face of the wall and run back into the hillside).hillside).


B. Mortarless block walls depend on B. Mortarless block walls depend on a well placed, level, starter course. a well placed, level, starter course. – If lipped blocks are used, the lip If lipped blocks are used, the lip

should be broken off for the first should be broken off for the first course.course.


1. To speed the leveling process, a one 1. To speed the leveling process, a one inch to three inch layer of pea gravel or inch to three inch layer of pea gravel or sand should be spread over a sand should be spread over a compacted gravel base. compacted gravel base. – The leveling of this first course should be The leveling of this first course should be

checked frequently on each block to ensure checked frequently on each block to ensure a good foundation. a good foundation.

– Using a string line will help to keep the wall Using a string line will help to keep the wall straight. Check to be sure that each block straight. Check to be sure that each block is flush with its neighbor and that the blocks is flush with its neighbor and that the blocks are in contact with each other.are in contact with each other.


2. If necessary, add a drainage tile 2. If necessary, add a drainage tile behind this first course. behind this first course. – Once the starter course is in place, Once the starter course is in place,

backfill with a loose, well-draining backfill with a loose, well-draining material such as gravel or sand. material such as gravel or sand.

– If landscape fabric is to be used, it If landscape fabric is to be used, it should be installed at this point.should be installed at this point.


3. Sweep debris off of blocks before installing 3. Sweep debris off of blocks before installing the next layer.the next layer.– If pinned blocks are being used, pins should be If pinned blocks are being used, pins should be

inserted into the slots.inserted into the slots.– Blocks for subsequent courses should be placed Blocks for subsequent courses should be placed

straddling the joint between two lower blocks. straddling the joint between two lower blocks. – Continue to lay a course, back-fill, and compact. Continue to lay a course, back-fill, and compact. – If a geotextile or geogrid is to be used, it should If a geotextile or geogrid is to be used, it should

be installed between courses. be installed between courses. – A batter is usually engineered into the design of A batter is usually engineered into the design of

the bricks, creating an automatic stepping back of the bricks, creating an automatic stepping back of each course.each course.

Review / SummaryReview / Summary

1. List the reasons for installing a fence or 1. List the reasons for installing a fence or wall.wall.

2. Describe the different parts of a fence.2. Describe the different parts of a fence.

3. What are the steps to properly installing a 3. What are the steps to properly installing a fence?fence?

4. List the different materials that can be used 4. List the different materials that can be used to build a retaining wall.to build a retaining wall.

5. What are the major steps to install a 5. What are the major steps to install a retaining wall?retaining wall?

horticulture cd unit c3-6: nursery, landscaping, and gardening

Documents

wood fences

good fences

fence materials

plastic fences

gardening slide

approach fences

functions of fences

retaining wall