Back in 2022, I wrote a post that mentioned we would be building a fence to surround our 12 acres in east Texas. A year later, when we got down to the brass tax and added up the hours it would take, the machinery we would have to rent, and multiplied the toughness that having a brand new baby in the mix would bring, we decided to let culvert/bulldozing guy do it.
So instead of laboring weekend after weekend to procure the fence, we instead allowed our local rural handyman to hire some workers and get it done in two days. He charged handsomely for it but getting it done and out of the way so we could focus on more fun adventures was worth it.
After spending hours on Google and Pinterest, we chose a goat fence with treated lumber posts and two strands of barbed wire at the top to keep out as many predators as possible. Once we are on property full-time, we will add electric wire to the bottom.
If you didn’t know, (I didn’t), the Red Brand from Tractor Supply is garbage for a fence and Stay-Tuff from McCoy’s is a better choice. Obviously you’re going to pay more but it’s going to last longer and give you less hassle. I always choose the option that includes less hassle.
One of my neighbors had qualms with us putting up a fence near his land so we got a fence survey completed. Before the survey was complete, we were fairly certain he had planted fruit trees on our property line and I had planned to build our fence a few feet inside the line so they wouldn’t be affected. After the survey came back and we were out a little over a grand on it, we decided to put up our fence where our actual property boundaries lay, regardless of the fruit trees. Hopefully both parties can both enjoy them in the years to come, as well as a good relationship that only comes from having honest, trustworthy neighbors.
From the inset entry to our property looking east. Our driveway is 24′ wide because I didn’t want a hassle (of course) when it came time to pull trailers in and out.
Northwest corner of property, looking towards the acreage of my sweet-as-pie western neighbor. As coincidences go, having her as a neighbor was a funny story. We’re in the middle of nowhere, right? Come to find out, this neighbor went to high school with my ex-brother-in-law and sent him a message asking him what I was like after she realized we were mutual friends on Facebook.
Here we are standing in the southeast corner of the property looking west. If you follow the fence line, you’ll run into the driveway. Our house pad is on a rise of land out toward the line of trees in the upper right hand corner of the photo. We leveled out three acres on the highest point of the property for our house, guest house, shop, and barn.
Here, I’m standing in the northwest corner facing east. If I followed this fence line for a few minutes and turned right once I got to the 90 degree corner on the northeast side, I’d be smack dab at the contested fruit trees. This soil doesn’t look like much because of the dozing but it is black sandy loam, absolutely perfect for melons. We’re going to have the sweetest summers out here.
I like dirt.
A lot.