Preparing your Fencing Christchurch for winter can seem like a daunting prospect if you’ve never done it before. Luckily, plenty of other gardeners have done this, and you can benefit through the wisdom they gleaned from their successes and their mistakes.
This guide on preparing your fencing for winter will help you with everything from choosing the best material to buying the right tools to making sure your fence stays nice and sturdy all winter long.
Remove Dirt, Leaves, And Other Debris Around And Between Fence Posts
Removing debris around and between fencing Christchurch posts can help deter pests and preserve your fencing. You can either use a leaf blower or brush off loose debris with a broom. If you have a wooden fence, be careful not to leave any large holes behind that animals could potentially climb through.
Also, check to make sure all nails are flush against wood; if they’re sticking out of your fence, they’ll attract unwanted attention from predators such as mice and raccoons.
Use An Oil-Based Stain
If you like your fence, but don’t love its look, give it a new lease on life with a wood preservative. Oil-based wood stains last longer than water-based ones and are best used if you want to maintain an existing colour. The oil in them also acts as an insect repellent.
However, if you’re painting over a weathered fence or changing its colour, then try going with a water-based product instead.
Keep An Eye On Frosting And Thawing
Frost and thawing can cause many problems, including cracked posts, gates that stick and fences that lean. Every season offers an opportunity to check your fencing Christchurch line and fix any problems you find. Here are some of our top tips for keeping your fencing in tip-top condition over winter.
It’s important to maintain a good level of moisture in plants when it’s cold outside. If frost is expected, water a few days before so roots have time to absorb as much moisture as possible.
Seal Your Fence
Late fall is a great time of year to seal your fence. This can be done with a garden sprayer and will ensure that no water seeps through over winter. Before sealing, however, check any stains and clean them up, as well as repair any holes or cracks.
Once you’ve finished doing so, spray your fence and let it sit overnight before hosing off in fresh water.
After cleaning, reapply a second coat of sealant. You can also apply stain around your fence posts if they have started to fade over the summer.
An easy way to do so is by applying an all-in-one stain/sealer/protectant at half strength – just follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and make sure to keep wetting down until you have even coverage on all sides of your posts.
