What can I do about this chicken wire fence?

PLANT A CLIMBING VINE!

I had a chain link fence that I hated , and I hid it by planting ivy below and letting it cover the fence completely. It takes a few years, but well worth it! Get a fast growing variety of ivy. There are other vines, some that are quicker growing, but be sure that you get one that doesn't lose its leaves in the winter. A bit more expensive fix is to hide it with bamboo fencing that's already wired together, and securing it to the chicken wire. I prefer the vine covering. It just takes longer.

I was also going to suggest the rolls of bamboo fencing as should you move you will be able to take it with you.

I think I'll go with the vine. The bamboo fencing sounds a little pricey. Thanks!

Morning glories you can do by seed and are fast growers. Just seed start well and water enough.

Yes, we are allowed to plant. You're right, that would take a lot of vines.

You don't say what area you're living in but most climates will allow for vining plants to grow when the weather permits. A couple packages of seeds for morning glories and sweet peas would be very cost effective. Container gardening would be ok if you have the funds to buy the containers, soil, plants etc but I don't think they'd give you the same overall coverage that vines would.

I appreciate your comments Janet. I don't think you're trying to be "right"! I actually love the idea of perennial grasses - they are so pretty and they grow really well in Southern Colorado. I've never tried to grow them before and I don't have much of a green thumb. My guess though is they're pretty hardy and foolproof!

How about covering it in pretty dropcloths? Thats removable but instant upgrade! Also, you can add flowers like this Hometalker: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/styling-a-garden-fence-makeover-2911138?expand_all_questions=1

have fun with it

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree, Morning Glories can be a pain if not in the right location but there are annual varieties. There are many other vines that are not invasive also...check with your local nursery for advice. How about a row of happy sunflowers? Colorful and good to eat! Pole beans are another option. Many plants can be trained to grow verticallyif you weave them through the fence as they grow. Cucumbers, zucchini, etc. are good options. Cherry tomatoes also do well. How about hanging some flower pots filled with herbs or or a colorful cascading floral? Make a statement and display some fun removable yard art . Use your imagination and get creative!

Another creative idea is plastic ribbon tape,you can get it at most big box hardware stores Home Depot,Lowe's etc. You could then weave the tape in and out of the fencing. If you plot it out on graph paper you might even be able to do a design of some sort. The tape I've seen comes in colors such as orange,bright pink,yellow,blue. Contractors use it to mark trees and such,but many crafters use it too and it's cheaper at the big box hardware stores than say at a craft store. If you are a knitter or a crocheter you could also yarn bomb it.

Oh that's a great idea! It sounds like the most cost effective idea yet.

I think that the fence is vintage and cute. Clean out the grass and weeds so that you can create a flower bed using annuals since you ate renting. Perennial daisies would be darling as well. Just my thoughts.

Really?! Okay, maybe I just need to embrace it and not hide it!

Chicken wire? That's expensive, vintage Double Loop Fence you have there, with a nasty chain link fence in the background. I'd KILL for a Double Loop Fence! It has crappy fence poles holding it up instead of wood posts like it should have. And it should have roses growing on it. Good grief! See if you can replace the metal posts with wood, and plant something pretty. Barbara has the right idea.

Here's a nice example.

Pretty!

Definitely not chicken wire. I think instead of replacing the metal poles, I would get some narrow wood lathe and cover them (these are pretty inexpensive). I would make a top for the metal poles and put either a hanger out from it and put hanging plants on them or like a late on the top that could hold a pot. Maybe have some kind of viney plant in them hanging down. Then down along the bottom I would put like clumps of daisies intermixed with maybe mums so that you will have both summer and fall flowers for you to enjoy. Once those are done for the season you could put some fake evergreen or something of that sort in the pots to get you thru the winter.

You can get bamboo fencing at home depot for a decent price. It comes in different size reeds in different heights and can be wired to the existing fence.

My thoughts are Honey suckle vine.........it has a SCENT that you would love. It grows fast and needs a fence to hang on to, it flourishes well.......it is really pretty and your problem would be solved.......it smells like, magnolia flowers, lagustrum and lilac. What a beautiful smell!! PLUS, it is also a wild flower, yellow and white.

You may be thinking of Wisteria? Honeysuckle is a slender, tight winding green vine,..... unless you are from another part of the country????????? A Wisteria has a wooden vine and you almost need a fence post to hold its weight. I think you may be a little confused on the plants??????.

There are so many great ideas on this page! I did see one on the internet and it was painted white. Maybe you could do that and/or another color along with some of the above ideas.

I'd plant some heirloom running roses on the fence. You could also underplant clematis vines. It would look beautiful.

Plant sweet peas or clematis on it and let it grow

Everyone has their own opinions.....I DO like to know what I'm talkin' about when I have something to say. I KNOW because I have Honeysuckle. I'll give ya this much Susie Q, maybe you live in a region where it is HEAVY.

That totally depends on what you want!

How about this? Put that chicken wire in an area. Buy yourself some chickens and get yourself a Rooster and get your eggs daily.

It is a rental property so she does not have the choice of moving it without the landlords permission. Additionally she may not be in a location where she would be allowed to have the chickens. Doing as you suggested also does not change the look which is what she is wanting to do.

Jody: I got your point!!.........you have your opinions on plants, as I do.......Soooooooooo, we don't agree.....so be it! Good Luck!

Happy Valentines Day! ;)))

Oh how I would love to have more of your "chicken wire" fence. I buy it when ever I can find it. It is lovely in a perennial border. You might be able to sandwich those metal posts between two 1x2 pieces of wood to disguise it. Tie them with wire in inconspicuous places to hold in place. My Great Aunts garden was fully surrounded with this fence material and the garden had an abundance of sweet pea vines and bachelor buttons. Another tall flowering plant that can be is Cleome. These plants can get invasive but are just so beautiful in borders.

I don't think this fencing is strong enough to allow planting *anything* directly on it. But you could plant things in front of it to mask it. I'd suggest evergreen shrubs, (possibly broadleafs like rhododendrons or azaleas) so you don't have to look at the fence in the winter. If you really want vines, you might consider putting tripod fencing (so you don't have to dig post holes & upset the landlord) in front of the existing fence and run your vines on that. Good luck!

Put a few concret blocks on their sides then put your pots on them and fill with climbing beans or tomatoes etc

when you move take them with you!!

Pennae that is a great idea. especially using the concrete blocks. I was going to suggest Scarlet runner beans. I know in England they love them because I have English neighbours and they are delighted to take them off my hands. I am not fond of them but they put on a spectacular show with loads of blossoms even if you don't eat them Pull the beans off them and they are not too heavy . Plus they will not take over your garden like Honeysuckle. I don't know where you live but if it is warm enough a lot of the vines can get out of hand so fast. My father planted an English Ivy and I spent all my time cutting it back. It is literally bending the posts that are supposed to hold it up.

I might plant ornamental grass along the fence.

Try planting some bigger plants, in pots in the ground there. You can always dig the pots out later if you leave. It will look nice with flowers too.

I think climbing plants or brightly colored (plastic) ribbon threaded through it at different intervals would decorate it well. good luck!

well..... you could plant cucumbers and snap beans but beware when the season is over they are a pain in the butt to totally remove the vines or like another suggested to plant a pretty climbing flower that is vine like and not too heavy. or you might be open to the plastic lattic they carry in hardware stores and like the fence with it and attach it with floral wire in different places then come back with potted leafy plants as a bed. when you are ready to move just remove the lattice and the plants and take them with you.

go to lowes buy bamboo grass hedge in roll it and tie it off. Viola instant privacy as well at a back drop for potted plant perhaps a bench seat a couple chairs ect ect ect.

How about some colored aluminum slats to weave in and out? You could change up the colors to make a pattern. Or you could spray paint the wire and just add a few of the slats throughout to make a pattern.

If you are talking about the nearest fence in the picture then that is not chicken wire. That is an antique fence which I have seen for sale at antique stores, $$$. I think it is charming, however, I might paint the posts. It's much prettier than the one behind it. We had that fencing at the house i grew up in with sweet peas and Clematis growing on it. To each his own.

I did the bambo roll fencing along a chain link fence for privacy....I just zip tied it to the chain link....it comes in 4 and 6 ft height...it's not expensive at all.you could space it out and do pots of plants in between.

What about a trumpet vine.... they are pretty and grow fast.....

Evergreens do well in Colorado, the key is ever green, container pots also the way to go. This would be low maintenance and give you some privacy, if that is your neighbor. Do not plant morning glory, your landlord will not like that.