PLAN A LIVING Privacy Fence
When Esmee Mckee and her family moved to their farm in Owenton, Kentucky, they had more in mind than just growing organic vegetables. Their house faces a road, and one particular goal they had was to create some privacy around their front porch and patio, where they spend time as a family. So, they decided to turn to plants to shield the view of cars passing by.
For the landowner who wants to cultivate a natural-looking landscape while also buffering a noisy roadway or creating a degree of privacy, a living fence or “hedgerow” offers an alternative to expensive wooden privacy fences. These natural barriers are composed of a variety of trees, shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers, typically arranged in a hedge that’s 5 to 10 feet deep.
Nick McCullough, a landscape designer and partner at McCullough’s Landscape & Nursery in New Albany, Ohio, regularly installs living fences for his clients. “Although many people love their neighbors, they don’t want to see them all the time,” he says. While hiring a professional like McCullough is always an option, DIY landowners can effectively install their own living fence with a
