Post and rail fence for berries

[WendyC]

I've nailed a length of 2x1 across the top of the two posts. This means the posts stay upright when tightening the wire. (Actually it was my brother in law but let's pretend it was me!)

[Bill HH]

Posts are tree poles 6cm diameter "Guaranteed against rot for 15 years". Mine last about 4.

Well thats an ambitious guarantee! take them back.

I wouldnt bother concreting them in as long as to span the top of the posts with strong timber they cant bend.

[Two_Sheds]

I've had a feeble post and wire fence for my berries

Berries?


Raspberries?

[Mikey]

You could always replace the wire with some roofing batten this serves two jobs, it with support your berries and will last as long as your posts.

[Graham K]

Hi all,

if you are putting up post and wire there are a few rules you must follow.

1. Rule of thirds; simple one this, two thirds of the post above ground one third below ground. It doesn't matter on the length of the post so long as one third is below ground.

2. Post crete; it's good stuff so long as you read the instructions and do as it says.

3. Support post; any wire however thin will pull harder on the post than you or I can you therefore need another post driven in or dug in at an angle to the post with the wire. This second post stops the first from bending and/or pulling out of the ground.

4. Supporting the support post; place a small flat piece of timber or a breeze block at the base of the support post. This prevents the support post from being pulled (by the wires) further into the ground again resulting in slack wires.

5. It's not a cable stay bridge; only do the wires up tight enough to support what your hanging from them, and always leave yourself some excess wire on the end, wire does stretch over time if you leave some extra at the end you can always re tighten or loosen it another day.

6. Preservative; ever wondered what to do with your old engine oil after an oil change on the car or bike or mower etc, half fill a bucket (big enough to stand your post/s in) with said engine oil, stand posts in bucket and let, the end that will be in the ground, soak for at least 48 hours. The posts soak up the oil and it acts as a preservative and water proofer, paint the rest of the post/s with the rest of the oil giving the tops three or four coats or until no more oil will soak in and leave to dry for a "few" days. As you can imagine this is all very messy so please wear some rubber or latex gloves for this bit!

I've done a little picture to show what I mean, hope it all makes sense.

[running_muttley]

Thanks for the long replies I'm afraid I've tried the "Support at an angle", put a breeze block in the way and it slid along with the post. Is it that I'm doing this in the winter with a heavy clay soil which is just too slippy? It all looks so simple on paper but I've had years of trying everything I can find on google and going demented when they fail. evern tried doing it at the end of April one year and almost cried in frustration.

Like the idea of engine oil but not sure it's a good idea so close to soft fruit. Isn't there a danger of it leeching out into the soil?

[running_muttley]

Dewberries, rasberries, loganberries, tayberries, boysenberries and 1 Japenese wineberry.

[Bill HH]

Or even fencing panels trellis type with the square holes in.

[Speed Gardener]

Why are you using wooden posts?
I have two long runs of currant cordons tied to wires fixed to steel angle, 40mm right angle with holes every foot or so. You can hammer them into the ground without digging a great big post hole, or set them in concrete. They don't rot and if you painted them first, they'll last for years. Might cost a bit more initially but you'll only buy them once.

[running_muttley]

Honestly I've never heard of it. Is it this kind of thing?
Angle Galv Steel 23.5mmx23.5mm x2.5m - - Wickes

It says it's "Strong material with rust and corrosion resistance" is that OK to be stuck 3ft in a wet clay soil? I'll try anything.

[Potstubsdustbins]

No that's not what SG means that's is just a thin steel profile. Google 40mm x 40mm angle iron and you will see it is much thicker.

Potty