Gardening in 2025 isn't just about making things look good; it’s about doing good. As we become more aware of our impact on the environment, many Bristol homeowners are asking us how to make their garden boundaries more sustainable.
The good news is that you don't need to choose between a secure fence and an eco-friendly one. Here are three simple ways to green your boundary.
1. The "Hedgehog Highway" (A Must-Have for 2025)
Hedgehog numbers in the UK have plummeted, partly because our gardens are becoming too secure. Solid concrete bases and gravel boards block their path, forcing them onto dangerous roads.
The solution is simple: The Hedgehog Highway.
This is a small 13cm x 13cm (5-inch) hole cut into the bottom of your gravel board or fence panel. It is too small for most pets to escape, but perfect for a hedgehog to travel through. We can install these on new fences or retrofit them to your existing one. We even add a little "Hedgehog Highway" sign so your neighbors know not to block it!
2. Choose Your Wood Wisely (FSC vs PEFC)
Not all wood is created equal. If your fencer cannot tell you where their timber comes from, it might be from unsustainable illegal logging operations.
At Joe’s Fencing, we only use timber with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC certification. This guarantees that for every tree harvested, new ones are replanted, and the local wildlife ecosystem is protected.
Ask before you buy: Always ask your contractor, "Is this wood certified?" If they say they don't know, walk away.
3. The Disposal Myth: Can I Compost Old Panels?
This is the most common question we get when taking down an old rotten fence: "Can I just break this up and put it in my compost bin?"
The Answer: NO.
Most garden fencing is "Pressure Treated" (Tanalised) with preservatives to stop it from rotting. While modern treatments are safe for us to touch, they contain copper and other biocide chemicals that you do not want leaching into your vegetable patch or compost heap.
So, what should you do with old panels?
- Upcycle: If the wood is grey but solid, cut it down to make rustic shelves, bird boxes, or a log store.
- Recycle Centre: Take it to your local Bristol recycling centre (tip). They have specific "treated wood" skips. This wood is often sent to special biomass energy facilities where it is burned safely to generate electricity, rather than going to landfill.
- Let us handle it: We hold a full Waste Carriers License. We take your old fence away and ensure it is recycled responsibly at a licensed commercial transfer station.
4. Living Fences
If you want to go extra green, why not combine timber with nature? We are seeing a huge trend in "Trellis Toppers."
By adding a 600mm trellis to the top of a sturdy fence, you can grow climbing plants like Ivy, Honeysuckle, or Jasmine. This creates a "green wall" that absorbs carbon, provides nesting spots for birds, and looks incredible in summer.
Ready to go Green?
Whether you need a hedgehog hole drilled or a fully sustainable FSC Cedar fence installed, we can help.