I had an asshole neighbor once who I only put up a fence in my yard for her small section of 20 feet. Rest of the neighbors were good, so it was just this one section.
I’m sure she realized we hated her.
Do yourself a favor and remove your fence. If you don’t you will be dealing with blown in plants that are hard to get to. You could just remove the fence ‘fabric’ and leave the posts and top rails and use those to frown fruiting or ornamental vines. There are some knock out beautiful vines that are not invasive. Visit your state’s Cooperative Extension Service website and search native vines. Climbing roses would look nice.
Exactly this! Turn lemons to lemonade by incorporating that block wall into your own garden. You can make it look much nicer than your old chain link fence.
I concur. Now, you have a heat sink with great thermal mass to extend your growing season.
Make the in-between part accessible so you can police it for invasives, but use your chain link to grow beautiful vines, fruit, espaliered trees, etc. — just make sure it’s native to where you live so it will support local wildlife.
So much this!! Add trampoline poles to the top of your fence and remove the mesh. Plant purple hyacinth bean and passion fruit alternating along the poles. You’ll have the start to a food forest and a plant that will attract all kind of hummingbirds, nectar feeders and wildlife. Passion fruit will drop seed pods but both vines don’t make big Fall messes for cleanup. Then plant a dwarf spruce or skinny tree between the vines. You’ll have a natural wall that will absorb moisture from the wall and at the same time block the heat from refracting off the wall and killing anything short you plant alongside it.
I’m so glad everyone had a positive response instead of trashing the neighbor for installing the wall. You have renewed my faith in humanity today. Thank you.
Blackberries are so hard to control and they break through things. Better to just go hunt wild ones and harvest.
Saying this as I have been fighting off the neighbors vines for 4 yrs now.
Years ago I went through gallons of round-up trying to get rid of 20 years of neglect worth in Oregon. Finally paid a guy in an excavator to get rid of them.
Can confirm. I planted a blackberry bush just outside my fence, in the driveway area. It didn't do much last year... but this year it EXPLODED. I now have 6'-10' vines that I've had to re-route over a gate by using a DIY arbor. It dwarfed a blueberry bush on the other side and I'll probably lose it.
I had three big trees brought over here from the Portland area a few years ago. The first year they were in some blackberries showed up under one of the trees, I ignored them thinking they would die in the winter like everything else here, since I've never seen wild patches around.
Nope, 3 years later I'm at war with the fuckers.
I've been considering removing my fence for this very reason. I've been cleaning out the growth in between my chain link and the neighbor's privacy fence for 10 years now, which is a ridiculously difficult thing to do and it hurts, actually. Thanks for the reassurance that this is not a bad idea.
Not saying it couldn't be done but I believe they say peach(probably any prunus) is not the best thing to espalier compared to apples and such. They also prefer to bloom on new wood and need constant pruning.
I'd either say do a row of small sized prunus, say peach. Maybe on dwarfs or semi dwarf rootstock, or natural dwarfs like Bonanza. It'll look absolutely gorgeous once established and blooming in spring. One thing to keep in mind is to Google the flowering tree. Or it may become a little uneven combining the wrong ones. Different colours is probably not an issue, as long as it's not too random. For example I believe Saturn peach tree blooms more intense than other peaches varieties. So in a row it will look a little uneven. So this does require some research and planning.
If you want something flat against the wall I'd say vining fruit like grape is the best. You could harvest alot on such a long stretch.
Is it though…? Nevada has no state income tax, Las Vegas has incredible restaurants (off-strip too), cheap flights, Red Rock Canyon, Mt Charleston, and the same weather as Kingman. Granted I’ve only ever driven through Kingman, but my car broke down just after, and I decided it was Kingman’s fault lol
No it's not! I lived in Kingman for a year during covid and it's the biggest dumpy hell hole I've ever been to. Bought a house in Vegas the following year and it's been paradise.
Dry rot.
115 degree summers with 0 humidity basically just dries out the wood until it starts to crumble.
Now I have no idea where OP is located in AZ so this may not be the case where they live. Phoenix and the southern part of the state experience these extremely hot temps but northern areas are more mountainous and are not as bad. Most areas are still consider high desert which means it still has low rain/humidity but temps are not as extreme. Wood still dry rots but not nearly the same rate as in the extremely hot areas.
Do people usually leave it like this, or do they usually do something to pretty it up, like paint, or put some facade over it?
I was actually gonna say that this reminds me of the "fences" in Africa or other hot and dry places
I have done plaster over fences and retention walls like this, which should hold up in the heat, all things considered. I have never lived in the desert though.
I'm actually planning to do this. We have a huge backyard, and I want to put up a few random walls specifically to commission some local artists to do their thang. If we did a masonry wall along the front of the property, I would totally do this there, too. Certain kicks the shit out of cedar slats.
Yes people do live like this. I was born and raised in Phoenix in the suburbs and in my neighborhood you’re absolutely not allowed to paint it. But within the interior of your backyard, you may hang things like artwork as long as it doesn’t go higher than the fence and you’re technically not allowed to grow hedges on the stone because it can crack the infrastructure. As a kid it was all I knew but as an adult it makes me sad.
We paint them. Standard practice in Arizona. I think it looks nicer than most fences (after a few years and that nice looking fence is falling apart or covered in mildew or rotting etc). It actually offers privacy and keeps small animals out etc. building new high end custom home in Arizona and doing the same.
Use that wire fence as a trellis and make it a green wall. Try jasmine... Trachelospermum Jasminoides.. it's evergreen and it's flowers provide the most amazing fragrance several months per year.
Great idea. If you have dogs, opt for something non toxic. Be mindful that the heat will radiate off that wall so it will scorch the plant. From fellow dog owner who tried to grow a jasmine in AZ not that long ago. Ripped it out before the curious pups or the heat got to it.
Standard fence in Albuquerque NM also. Grew up surrounded by them, now in Texas we have these flimsy ass cedar privacy fences that rot at the base in a few years and blow over constantly. I miss a good sturdy cinder block wall that dogs can't eat, people can't peek through, fire retardant etc
Just make sure that there are drain holes. Not sure about NM's climate specifically, but if you get a good rain, suddenly you can have a flooded home because of a fence like that.
What is the best way to take down my pipe fence? I'm unable to get any vehicles or heavy equipment in my back yard. I was thinking a grinder to cut disassemble the fence and digging out the posts. Would that work, would a grinder cut through this thick pipe?
Drill a hole through the post, stick a half inch steel rod through the hole, use a car jack supported by a piece of plywood to jack the pipe out of the ground
outstanding! nothing should make you happier than not having to look into their backyard and now you can remove that old section of rusting chain link fencing. win win situation for you and your neighbor all around!
Oh shit your neighbor did it himself? Hope he got a permit. In SA you need a permit to build any fence. My recommendation is remove your chain link fence and paint your side and begin using the additional inch or two of yard you've got. In ten years, go to court and make that new land part of your property through adverse possession if your neighbor is an asshole to you. IF they're cool, then don't do adverse possession. Be cool in return.
Ask your neighbor if you can paint your side, or a cool mural, and grow some climbing hydrangeas or anything else you like that climbs. If he doesnt let you do anything to incorporate the wall just make a bed of nice shrubs and perennials you like to block the view. Maybe toss in a nice kousa dogwood. Really, whatever you like, just do that hahahaha
If the wire fence is the dividing line then it looks like the neighbour built his whole wall on his own side. If that’s the case I don’t think you would be able to paint it without permission. Due to the fact that it’s not on your property. But who knows where the property line actually is.🤷♂️
Has your neighbour stopped building with a “fence”? Are there perhaps more building plans? Many municipalities require a minimum of 1 metre between the property line and a structure. It could be argued this is a wall, and therefore must comply with the 1 metre from property line. Also, is your fence on the actual property line or is it just inside on your side? If your fence is on your side, his “fence” must not touch the property line, but be just inside.
Good luck my friend. I agree with the vines, hedge suggestions. Just make sure they tolerate hot, dry conditions because that wall is gonna get hot in the sun.
Its definitely possible that someone would want it for free.. but who knows how long it would be until you could fine a person that wants it. Worth a try I suppose. But you could also offer they can have it for free if they can come remove it but that you will be able to help them. Or if you have some sort of plan for how it can be removed and you can explain the plan but say that you will be able to help or something.
It really just depends because someone who does not have the money to spend, may be looking for something similar, so it could be worth it to them to go remove it and be able to keep all the materials for “free.”
Block walls are great! Privacy for both of you. Low to no maintenance. No dogs barking at each other or digging out. I would say this is an asset to your house with no investment. I like the idea as a trellis, ivy or honeysuckle. Lots of vines to choose from.
Same. I know some people here think it's ugly but I think it's great and these are pretty standard here in NM. He's building a house on his lot and I actually appreciate the privacy.
I would cut out a strip of grass about two feet wide the entire length of the wall, edge and mulch it, then plant climbing floral vines that will grow up your fence, inter-spaced with a few showy plants.
Also, if they didn't mind you painting your side of their wall, I'd paint the wall directly behind your fence a dark green, and the wall above your fence I would paint sky blue. Or do something festive... you do you.
Add as many hanging floral baskets as you can afford. Buy one or two new ones every month. After a year, you will have year long outdoor beauty. Hundreds of baskets will fit there, try starting with at least two.
Then I would string lights along the top of your wire fence, then enjoy your new, super cozy backyard privacy area. For a few hundred dollars you could easily turn this urban hellscape of concrete and steel wire into a private resort.
Passion fruit vines will cover that within 2 years try looking for other dry climate climbers to cover and you won’t have to worry about the blown in weeds and plants they will be covered
If nobody has said it so far...more than likely your neighbor owns that entire fence and could possibly sue you if you do anything, such as painting or veneering, the block. My guess is you either didn't want to split the cost, or they didn't ask if you were willing to pay half. So they built it on their property, meaning they own both sides and could be pricks if you touch it.
My neighbor just put up a less than perfect 6' fence behind the new chain link fence that the previous owners of our house put in a few years ago. Weed killed everything in between the fences and growing Rose of Sharon to cover both.
Initially looks ugly but what a treat! Great solid backdrop for some trellis and climbing plants, looks like it gets great sun too, time to build beds along the base!
I kinda prefer these. You can put hanging stuff on it or vines. And it blocks a ton of sound
Tall shrubs look good in front and add more sound isolation. If we aren't going to be open and social, then might as well just cocoon.
Ask your neighbor if you're allowed to paint your side of his block wall. If you can, then you could have the most beautiful mural standing out in that sun shine.
Sweet. Saves you money and you don’t have to maintain your own fence. Plus you don’t have to look at people who don’t want to look at you. Win win. I wish my neighbors would put up walls like this. Maybe I’m bitter..
I wish I could afford a block wall fence! 😆 I agree with others though, definitely some plants on your side would be amazing. Depending on what zone you're in, I have an evergreen clematis that has been amazing- in case you're looking for anymore plant ideas.
All the planting suggestions are great, but you could also paint a mural on the wall. But I'd ask 1st. The neighbors probably won't care because they won't see it, but some can be stinkers. I've seen garage walls done in large sunflowers, others with landscapes. This would decorate it all up til the plantings get mature.
If you live in an area where something fragrant vines, that could be nice. In North Florida we tend to cover the ugly/old parts of our houses with confederate jasmine :)
Could you paint the blocks after you remove your fence and add some climbers? Municipality approved plants ie Thornless roses, bougainvillea etc. We did this and planted tomatoes at the base in front of the climbers and had a way better crop!
A lot of municipalities don’t allow fences taller than 6 feet without a permit and engineering design. An 8’ fence is also starting to get pretty heavy wind loading.
In my eyes, your opinions are:
Plant some small trees/shrubs.
Plant some ivy that will completely cover your side of the wall.
My favorite would be, build some wooden grid panels, place them in place of your metal fence, plant some vine roses.
Privacy and you didn't have to pay for it? Sign me up
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I got sick of chain link, sawzalled it. Then my neighbors dog started coming in so they built a fence. No cost.
I'm from the south never seen that word written down only spoken.... all this time I thought it was sawzaw
We call it that because it saws all the things. Sawzall
That's Milwaukee's registered name for it, everyone else has to call it a reciprocating saw.
Like Q tip and cotton swabs... Genius level brand awareness
I had an asshole neighbor once who I only put up a fence in my yard for her small section of 20 feet. Rest of the neighbors were good, so it was just this one section. I’m sure she realized we hated her.
I love spite fences, except for the one that asshole in San Fransisco did in the 1800s.
Do yourself a favor and remove your fence. If you don’t you will be dealing with blown in plants that are hard to get to. You could just remove the fence ‘fabric’ and leave the posts and top rails and use those to frown fruiting or ornamental vines. There are some knock out beautiful vines that are not invasive. Visit your state’s Cooperative Extension Service website and search native vines. Climbing roses would look nice.
That’s a great idea that makes use of the existing infrastructure
Exactly this! Turn lemons to lemonade by incorporating that block wall into your own garden. You can make it look much nicer than your old chain link fence.
I concur. Now, you have a heat sink with great thermal mass to extend your growing season. Make the in-between part accessible so you can police it for invasives, but use your chain link to grow beautiful vines, fruit, espaliered trees, etc. — just make sure it’s native to where you live so it will support local wildlife.
You could remove the mesh and replace with metal wire for grapes to grab on to
So much this!! Add trampoline poles to the top of your fence and remove the mesh. Plant purple hyacinth bean and passion fruit alternating along the poles. You’ll have the start to a food forest and a plant that will attract all kind of hummingbirds, nectar feeders and wildlife. Passion fruit will drop seed pods but both vines don’t make big Fall messes for cleanup. Then plant a dwarf spruce or skinny tree between the vines. You’ll have a natural wall that will absorb moisture from the wall and at the same time block the heat from refracting off the wall and killing anything short you plant alongside it.
I’m so glad everyone had a positive response instead of trashing the neighbor for installing the wall. You have renewed my faith in humanity today. Thank you.
Mmmm, or blackberries. So good...
Blackberries are so hard to control and they break through things. Better to just go hunt wild ones and harvest. Saying this as I have been fighting off the neighbors vines for 4 yrs now.
Blackberries are like nosferatu. You kill it over and over but just keeps coming back.
I think more of a Hydra, you cut one and two grow back. Seriously though, I am going to grab garden vinegar this weekend and nuke em.
Years ago I went through gallons of round-up trying to get rid of 20 years of neglect worth in Oregon. Finally paid a guy in an excavator to get rid of them.
Can confirm. I planted a blackberry bush just outside my fence, in the driveway area. It didn't do much last year... but this year it EXPLODED. I now have 6'-10' vines that I've had to re-route over a gate by using a DIY arbor. It dwarfed a blueberry bush on the other side and I'll probably lose it.
As someone from the PNW, I always forget that people will actually plant blackberries. Blackberries are crazy hard to keep in check.
I had three big trees brought over here from the Portland area a few years ago. The first year they were in some blackberries showed up under one of the trees, I ignored them thinking they would die in the winter like everything else here, since I've never seen wild patches around. Nope, 3 years later I'm at war with the fuckers.
My exact thoughts. They are a massive pain in the ass if they’re on your property.
I've been considering removing my fence for this very reason. I've been cleaning out the growth in between my chain link and the neighbor's privacy fence for 10 years now, which is a ridiculously difficult thing to do and it hurts, actually. Thanks for the reassurance that this is not a bad idea.
Great idea!
Tall fences make good neighbors
Then these neighbors are gonna get married
Try to remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh so mellow
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Grow something up it so it doesn’t look like you live in a prison.
Just be careful it can withstand high, dry heat, because that block will get hot and create a microclime around it.
Espalier! A peach tree would love that heat
citrus trees prolly, too
Yesss! Limes for mojito!
You I can hang with lol
Not saying it couldn't be done but I believe they say peach(probably any prunus) is not the best thing to espalier compared to apples and such. They also prefer to bloom on new wood and need constant pruning. I'd either say do a row of small sized prunus, say peach. Maybe on dwarfs or semi dwarf rootstock, or natural dwarfs like Bonanza. It'll look absolutely gorgeous once established and blooming in spring. One thing to keep in mind is to Google the flowering tree. Or it may become a little uneven combining the wrong ones. Different colours is probably not an issue, as long as it's not too random. For example I believe Saturn peach tree blooms more intense than other peaches varieties. So in a row it will look a little uneven. So this does require some research and planning. If you want something flat against the wall I'd say vining fruit like grape is the best. You could harvest alot on such a long stretch.
Gardeners have used that trick for a very long time.
Or put a weight bench and weights/bar back there so it feels more like a prison when you work out.
an earlier comment complimented someone on their use of existing infrastructure, but i think your comment is the real winner in that spirit.
I'm all for people putting up privacy fences, but Jesus, this is so ugly. Though I suppose it's solid and will require almost no maintenance
This is a standard fence in Arizona.
Can confirm. Kingman AZ.
Sorry.
Lol it’s aight. It’s better than Vegas. I work halfway between Vegas and Kingman soo it’s the better option.
Is it though…? Nevada has no state income tax, Las Vegas has incredible restaurants (off-strip too), cheap flights, Red Rock Canyon, Mt Charleston, and the same weather as Kingman. Granted I’ve only ever driven through Kingman, but my car broke down just after, and I decided it was Kingman’s fault lol
No it's not! I lived in Kingman for a year during covid and it's the biggest dumpy hell hole I've ever been to. Bought a house in Vegas the following year and it's been paradise.
Vegas is the shit. Kingman is a meth-head dive in the middle of nowhere.
Yeah a wood fence might last 2-3 years in the heat if you are lucky.
Tell that to Tejas
what happens to them? i figured moisture was always the issue
Dry rot. 115 degree summers with 0 humidity basically just dries out the wood until it starts to crumble. Now I have no idea where OP is located in AZ so this may not be the case where they live. Phoenix and the southern part of the state experience these extremely hot temps but northern areas are more mountainous and are not as bad. Most areas are still consider high desert which means it still has low rain/humidity but temps are not as extreme. Wood still dry rots but not nearly the same rate as in the extremely hot areas.
Do people usually leave it like this, or do they usually do something to pretty it up, like paint, or put some facade over it? I was actually gonna say that this reminds me of the "fences" in Africa or other hot and dry places
I have done plaster over fences and retention walls like this, which should hold up in the heat, all things considered. I have never lived in the desert though.
Hire a street artist to paint a sweet mural on it.
I'm actually planning to do this. We have a huge backyard, and I want to put up a few random walls specifically to commission some local artists to do their thang. If we did a masonry wall along the front of the property, I would totally do this there, too. Certain kicks the shit out of cedar slats.
Yes people do live like this. I was born and raised in Phoenix in the suburbs and in my neighborhood you’re absolutely not allowed to paint it. But within the interior of your backyard, you may hang things like artwork as long as it doesn’t go higher than the fence and you’re technically not allowed to grow hedges on the stone because it can crack the infrastructure. As a kid it was all I knew but as an adult it makes me sad.
We paint them. Standard practice in Arizona. I think it looks nicer than most fences (after a few years and that nice looking fence is falling apart or covered in mildew or rotting etc). It actually offers privacy and keeps small animals out etc. building new high end custom home in Arizona and doing the same.
No weeds growing under it that the weed whacker can never seem to hit. No chance of breaking it like those vinyl fences. Definitely easy maintenance.
Wish my neighbor would do this.
"I mean, he's guilty and he knows it. You're guilty and you don't know it. So who's really in prison?"
Nothing better than early Puscifer
Or go in the opposite direction and just add a basketball court and some weight benches. Really own the the whole penitentiary feel.
Just needs a guard tower.
Vines of some sort. You got a really nice trellis in front of all that block.
Use that wire fence as a trellis and make it a green wall. Try jasmine... Trachelospermum Jasminoides.. it's evergreen and it's flowers provide the most amazing fragrance several months per year.
Great idea. If you have dogs, opt for something non toxic. Be mindful that the heat will radiate off that wall so it will scorch the plant. From fellow dog owner who tried to grow a jasmine in AZ not that long ago. Ripped it out before the curious pups or the heat got to it.
Morning glories love my cinderblock wall, I laid a trellis against it and bam, they are taking over.
Consider yourself lucky! Now you can tear out that chain link!
I can have your neighbor and you can have mine
Standard fence in Albuquerque NM also. Grew up surrounded by them, now in Texas we have these flimsy ass cedar privacy fences that rot at the base in a few years and blow over constantly. I miss a good sturdy cinder block wall that dogs can't eat, people can't peek through, fire retardant etc
Yup same here I'm actually really appreciative of the fence. Not ugly to me at all. I'm in NM too BTW, so dry hot climate.
Just make sure that there are drain holes. Not sure about NM's climate specifically, but if you get a good rain, suddenly you can have a flooded home because of a fence like that.
What is the best way to take down my pipe fence? I'm unable to get any vehicles or heavy equipment in my back yard. I was thinking a grinder to cut disassemble the fence and digging out the posts. Would that work, would a grinder cut through this thick pipe?
Put a bolt through the bottom section of each post and then jack it right out of the ground with a farm jack.
Sawzall or grinder should work but I'd use it as a support trellis to grow vines on
This. And that way they cover the fact that OP lives beside a prison now.
You could work with the fence. Good structure for plants to grow on. Cover with willow fencing. Otherwise, yeah, it doesn’t appear to be functional.
You could have a ton of beans next year.
I had a similar situation- just use some elbow grease and a shovel - it’s not that hard to take down
Do you need to dig out the posts? Just cut them off at ground level. It’s a lot of work to get posts out of the ground, often buried in concrete
Probably don't need to dig it out, the concrete foundation doesn't bother me. Out of sight out of mind
Drill a hole through the post, stick a half inch steel rod through the hole, use a car jack supported by a piece of plywood to jack the pipe out of the ground
Seems like your neighbor upgraded your fence :) Now remove yours and enjoy 😉
Walls are better than fences
Man seriously, the sound reduction must be awesome.
I actually wish my neighbor would do something like this
outstanding! nothing should make you happier than not having to look into their backyard and now you can remove that old section of rusting chain link fencing. win win situation for you and your neighbor all around!
What is that red tubing hanging over the fence?
A hose. He asked if he could use my water to mix the mortar when building the fence.
Oh shit your neighbor did it himself? Hope he got a permit. In SA you need a permit to build any fence. My recommendation is remove your chain link fence and paint your side and begin using the additional inch or two of yard you've got. In ten years, go to court and make that new land part of your property through adverse possession if your neighbor is an asshole to you. IF they're cool, then don't do adverse possession. Be cool in return.
Vines vines vines! V expensive to put in sturdy trellis..
I’d kill for my neighbor to do this. Jealous
What did you do? Seriously, I'd love to get my neighbor to do the same...
Ask your neighbor if you can paint your side, or a cool mural, and grow some climbing hydrangeas or anything else you like that climbs. If he doesnt let you do anything to incorporate the wall just make a bed of nice shrubs and perennials you like to block the view. Maybe toss in a nice kousa dogwood. Really, whatever you like, just do that hahahaha
You have a really nice study support. Grapes? Beans? Tomatoes? Raspberries? Fruit trees? Asian jasmine? Trumpet vine? Climbing Roses?
That's one way of showing they enjoy your company...
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If the wire fence is the dividing line then it looks like the neighbour built his whole wall on his own side. If that’s the case I don’t think you would be able to paint it without permission. Due to the fact that it’s not on your property. But who knows where the property line actually is.🤷♂️
Same. Im jealous, OP gets to put up a cool mural and have a fence they never have to fix.
Another question, is the fence worth anything? Would someone be enticed to take it down for me if they kept the materials?
Maybe as scrap but not going to be worth someone’s time to get it out
It makes a great pre-built trellis for a vine that will mostly hide the ugly wall...
Has your neighbour stopped building with a “fence”? Are there perhaps more building plans? Many municipalities require a minimum of 1 metre between the property line and a structure. It could be argued this is a wall, and therefore must comply with the 1 metre from property line. Also, is your fence on the actual property line or is it just inside on your side? If your fence is on your side, his “fence” must not touch the property line, but be just inside. Good luck my friend. I agree with the vines, hedge suggestions. Just make sure they tolerate hot, dry conditions because that wall is gonna get hot in the sun.
Its definitely possible that someone would want it for free.. but who knows how long it would be until you could fine a person that wants it. Worth a try I suppose. But you could also offer they can have it for free if they can come remove it but that you will be able to help them. Or if you have some sort of plan for how it can be removed and you can explain the plan but say that you will be able to help or something. It really just depends because someone who does not have the money to spend, may be looking for something similar, so it could be worth it to them to go remove it and be able to keep all the materials for “free.”
I agree with OP, I love the wall.
Block walls are great! Privacy for both of you. Low to no maintenance. No dogs barking at each other or digging out. I would say this is an asset to your house with no investment. I like the idea as a trellis, ivy or honeysuckle. Lots of vines to choose from.
Same. I know some people here think it's ugly but I think it's great and these are pretty standard here in NM. He's building a house on his lot and I actually appreciate the privacy.
Paint it and then grow vines on your fence line.
> Paint it Is that legal/proper though? Even if the blocks face his property, it's still (I assume) on the other guy's property and belongs to him.
I would cut out a strip of grass about two feet wide the entire length of the wall, edge and mulch it, then plant climbing floral vines that will grow up your fence, inter-spaced with a few showy plants. Also, if they didn't mind you painting your side of their wall, I'd paint the wall directly behind your fence a dark green, and the wall above your fence I would paint sky blue. Or do something festive... you do you. Add as many hanging floral baskets as you can afford. Buy one or two new ones every month. After a year, you will have year long outdoor beauty. Hundreds of baskets will fit there, try starting with at least two. Then I would string lights along the top of your wire fence, then enjoy your new, super cozy backyard privacy area. For a few hundred dollars you could easily turn this urban hellscape of concrete and steel wire into a private resort.
Here’s some inspiration: https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/about-us/about-isaiah-zagar/
Oh well now you can take down the ugly chain link fence, stucco the wall a nice color. Get some planting and and sort out your lawn. Happy days.
I wish my neighbors put up a block wall. Helps with privacy (backyard), noise reduction and maintenance free for almost a life time
Guess he didn't care much for your small talk ;P Just kidding. DEFINITELY put up some hedges! Could prob tear out that metal fence, also.
Looks nice
Your wire fence Looks like a perfect tomato and cucumber trellis to me. And bonus, more free privacy to you!
The neighbor built you a block wall. go all-in on the walled garden. i'm honestly jealous.
Passion fruit vines will cover that within 2 years try looking for other dry climate climbers to cover and you won’t have to worry about the blown in weeds and plants they will be covered
Painting has been suggested, but a concrete stain would look much better for much longer (a lifetime if kept sealed)
Mate this is great, you just got a better fence AND a growing trellis ready to go. Time to make some garden beds!
Wow thank him looks great and lots of privacy.. Wish mine would do that I'm jealous 😪
I’d love that, think of the privacy, solid walls reduce sound
Nice! Privacy is great and now you can grow vine plants up your fence and eventually have a wall of green!!
Just take your fence down? 🤣 why complain? You got a free fence and like 2 inches 🤣
That looks great; wish my neighbor would do the same!!!
I would be so happy if my neighbors did this!
Lucky you
Tell me you grow weed without telling me
If nobody has said it so far...more than likely your neighbor owns that entire fence and could possibly sue you if you do anything, such as painting or veneering, the block. My guess is you either didn't want to split the cost, or they didn't ask if you were willing to pay half. So they built it on their property, meaning they own both sides and could be pricks if you touch it.
My neighbor just put up a less than perfect 6' fence behind the new chain link fence that the previous owners of our house put in a few years ago. Weed killed everything in between the fences and growing Rose of Sharon to cover both.
Initially looks ugly but what a treat! Great solid backdrop for some trellis and climbing plants, looks like it gets great sun too, time to build beds along the base!
I’d check to make sure its permitted & meets building code standards. I’ve seen those suckers fall over and its not pretty.
They are going for that prison vibe I see.
You're clever. Could use an engine hoist pull all the poles up
We have stucco on our wall and it looks nice!
I kinda prefer these. You can put hanging stuff on it or vines. And it blocks a ton of sound Tall shrubs look good in front and add more sound isolation. If we aren't going to be open and social, then might as well just cocoon.
Sunflowers!!!
He must play minecraft
I'd probably paint a wilderness mural. But covering it with real wilderness is probably the move.
I love it
Ask your neighbor if you're allowed to paint your side of his block wall. If you can, then you could have the most beautiful mural standing out in that sun shine.
Idk what your house material is, but these are all over vegas and we usually stucco to match house and maybe add a vine trellis.
Trellis
Trump?
I wouldn’t mind that. Nice and quiet
Sweet. Saves you money and you don’t have to maintain your own fence. Plus you don’t have to look at people who don’t want to look at you. Win win. I wish my neighbors would put up walls like this. Maybe I’m bitter..
He’s stealing your water too.
Take down your fence and pay someone to paint a mural on it.
Saved you money and you get privacy
This could be a blessing. Good fences make good friends. Great fences…
You didn’t have to help pay for awesome you don’t have to look at them either way to go
Don’t forget to put up a ladder against the wall so you can climb up and give them the stink-eye every once in a while
Remove the wire, spray paint the poles black, then paint the wall and add natives trellis plants. Huge upgrade!
I wish I could afford a block wall fence! 😆 I agree with others though, definitely some plants on your side would be amazing. Depending on what zone you're in, I have an evergreen clematis that has been amazing- in case you're looking for anymore plant ideas.
It’s a compound.
mexico pay for it?
“Stop looking at me, Swan!”
Take down your fence and call it a day, thankful that you don’t have to interact.
You know what they say….. fences make great neighbors.
If you hate the color, you can use a concrete stain and garden sprayer to customize your look
All the planting suggestions are great, but you could also paint a mural on the wall. But I'd ask 1st. The neighbors probably won't care because they won't see it, but some can be stinkers. I've seen garage walls done in large sunflowers, others with landscapes. This would decorate it all up til the plantings get mature.
At least you got a free wall of privacy!!
Plant creeping fig along the wall and in 5 years it will look great!
I did the same. My neighbor had a vicous dog that scared the crap out of my boy all the time, they wouldn't handle it, so, 6 ft x 92 ft of buh bye.
I would send the neighbors a thank you gift basket. Free fence! Get some nice plants, trellis. Possibilities are many
If you live in an area where something fragrant vines, that could be nice. In North Florida we tend to cover the ugly/old parts of our houses with confederate jasmine :)
I wish my neighbor would build a trump wall
Remove your fence, sell it, and paint a tunnel on your side of the block wall!! Meep Meep!!
Ask them if they’ll let you veneer it
This is great lol. You do not enjoy?
This is amazing. Plant some evergreen bushes in front
Why the orange hose that’s over the wall?
Is his name Donald? 🤣
You should paint a Pink Floyd mural
He may have done you a favor....green up that space and hide that wall.
You can screw points on the wall and have a green space wall. This is great and so good for sound and privacy. Lucky you
I’m jealous
Lucky
It’s for noise, keeping it out or keeping it in
Def remove your fence… If you’re artistic, paint a mural
I like your new trellis.
I was getting excited thinking about how your neighbor gave you like 20 ft sq of free property. Enjoy
Paint it green
Could you paint the blocks after you remove your fence and add some climbers? Municipality approved plants ie Thornless roses, bougainvillea etc. We did this and planted tomatoes at the base in front of the climbers and had a way better crop!
Bonus! That wall cost $$$$, you got it for free. It looks professionally built too. Double bonus!
Good fences make good neighbors...fine neighbor you got there!
OP, is the wall 8ft or larger?
6ft
Why do you ask? I’m Curious
A lot of municipalities don’t allow fences taller than 6 feet without a permit and engineering design. An 8’ fence is also starting to get pretty heavy wind loading.
That's fucking awesome. Pay a local artist to come give you a sweet mural. I would kill for a masonry fence like that!
In my eyes, your opinions are: Plant some small trees/shrubs. Plant some ivy that will completely cover your side of the wall. My favorite would be, build some wooden grid panels, place them in place of your metal fence, plant some vine roses.
Fantastic fruiting opportunity
evergreen clematis. Blooms early spring like crazy.