A chain link fence is durable and long lasting. It is a great choice for defining property boundaries and keeping your children and pets safe. Unfortunately, the dull, utilitarian look of the metal can also look stark and unattractive. Here are some ideas for adding some charm to your chain link fence that will help it blend more seamlessly into your landscape.
Fruit trees: For an edible alternative, many varieties of standard, semi-dwarf, and dwarf fruit trees can be espaliered (trained to grow on a flat plane) and grown on chain link fences. Examples include apple, apricot, peach, nectarine, fig, persimmon, and pomegranate trees. The downside is that an espaliered fruit tree requires pruning at least two or three times a year to maintain its shape. The upside is fresh, edible fruits right from the fence. Fruit trees require full sun and good soil drainage, so your fence needs to be positioned appropriately.
Skirt the bottom of your fence with clump-forming perennials, such as daylilies and irises, to help control weeds and reduce mowing and trimming tasks.
The following are examples of vines that have vigorous growing habits and often reseed themselves. Research how these plants respond to your particular growing zone, as a few may become invasive under the right conditions.
Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata)
morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor)
cup-and-saucer vine (Cobaea scandens)
scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus)
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I'm on a budget and I would like to know any inexpensive ideas on how to cover a chain link fence with panels of some kind. I do not want to use inserts as that would take too long. Someone told me to use shower curtains but I'm not sure. I want it to look nice as the neighbors can see it.
Indian Potatos are a kind of vine with heart shaped leaves that ive used which cover the entire fence and are beautiful. You dont see the fence at all. They die down each winter and grow back bigger and better every spring.
Buy a packet of morning glory seeds. They will quickly grow and cover your fence with flowers and beautiful leaves. Leave them to go to seed in the fall and you will have even more next year.
I found a pile of shutters on the side of the road and used them to provide privacy and cover our chain link fence in one spot. I just used zip ties to tie them to the fence. Another idea I had was to use old doors leaned on the fence. I just found the shutters first.
Check out the dollar stores for the table runners out of bamboo, sometimes you can find them at the evrything is a dollar store. I not sure how long or high your fence is, but you have had some really good ideas, if you have a green thumb, not brown like mine. Also saw on t.v. that old vinal window blinds, cut apart, made a table top, don't know why they wouldn't work to slip through the links .
look at reed or bamboo roll fencing, they are available at lowe's now. They attach right on the chain link and are inexpensive.
If you are in an area that is not affected by the wind a lot. Try plastic tarps. I use them on my 6" fence using 6 X 8 tarps attached with plastic zip ties.
Shower curtains and old doors are alright if you're opening a Sanford & Sons franchise. Coverage that actually looks decent includes trumpet vine, bougainvilla, oleander, morning glory, jasmine, concord grapes...
We have a horrible chain link fence in the back (belongs to a neighbour). We bought barerrot Red Robin Hood Rose babies online, and planted them in the end of July this year. Right now, in September, they all are almost 4 feet tall bushes with beautiful flowers that have been blooming since August.
I have a 6x6 chain link dog pen. Any ideas on a way to dress it up so it looks nicer. I don't want to screen it entirely, I want the pup to see out when she's in it.
we spray painted a regular higth chain link fence once with gold spray paint
-- but if you have a little cash to spend & a dollar store - maybe try some of the inexpensive garlands they have to weave into the fence. they have vines too & that just reminded me that we could have woven some of the same vines along the top foot or so of our dogs pen when we had her for some additional shade without the tarp or plastic being another thing to deal with & serve the same purpose
I used mardi gras beads every year, its very colorful,but put them high enough for the dogs not to chew them.
how about a lattice surround, looks nice, but doggy ahould still be able to see!
