Home security-Bushcraft style

[sandsnakes]

Being London based, and living next to a canal towpath, all of the properties in my area are prone to nocturnal visitations from irritating scumbags.

In spite of security lights, alarms and a tall fence the offending toerags always get over the fence and steal a lawn mower or the odd bike, at least I now keep them out of my home.

So after the latest bout of piracy the four of us in my terrace have decided to install security- bushcraft style!

The entire length of the canal towpath and surrounding fences has now been planted with Sea buckthorn, Blackthorn (prunus spinosa) and the dark nasty areas we have Berberis thunbergii. All of the above have VERY wicked barbs and thorns.

The security hedge is designed to produce a sloe type prunus for jams, gin and brandy; Buckthorn produces a vitamin C tonic (need welders glove to harvest it). Berberis is there just to spike the hell out people trying to climb the corners. As a security measure it came in at under £150 for the four houses. Oh and we threw in a few random holly bushes for winter colour. The lot are low maintenance, thrive on poor soil and provide winter food for the wildlife.

I wait in eager anticipation for the little darlings to try and climb through that lot!
Anything else you can suggest?

Sandsnake (with an evil turn of mind) :twak:

 

[EdS]

remember it was not planted asa security hedge - all sorts of issues, but as robust landscapinng and planting scheme.

 

[mark a.]

That's a great idea. I've just planted a small native hedge, including buckthorn, hawthorn, dogrose etc. It'll work as a security measure, but I didn't really need it like that.

For extra colour you could put in some rambling roses - species or other native ones can have some serious thorns too.

Hedges have other advantages to. Great for wildlife, and of course it's a good excuse for getting a billhook and having a go at hedge laying (which is exactly what I'm looking forward to in a year or so once my hedge has grown a bit)!

Mark

 

[Floyd Soul]

Brilliant idea! Will it take a few years to establish before it's impenitrable though?

 

[sandbender]

noctural visit(ors)

Having once had a piece of my chin bitten off by a 'nocturnal visitor' I applaud your efforts

 

[Klenchblaize]

That just leaves the installing of the dead-fall traps above each door and window!

Oak and chestnut are nice and heavy!

Chers

 

[Doc]

I saw one nursery describing these shrubs as Burglaris disembowellum . Nice one.

 

[Marts]

An elegant solution and one that will bring you additional benefits too. Well done.

 

[dwardo]

Atropa bella-donna(deadly nightshade) ?

 

[Don Redondo]

The entire length of the canal towpath and surrounding fences has now been planted with Seabuckthorn, Blackthorn (prunus spinosa) and the dark nasty areas we have Berberis thunbergii. All of the above have VERY wicked barbs and thorns.

I wait in eager anticipation for the little darlings to try and climb through that lot!
Anything else you can suggest?

Sandsnake (with an evil trun of mind)

and entirely legal too, which is a good thing in this litigious society

add some hawthorn for flowers and berries, and some rosa rugosa [aka people stopper] for low level beds.. lots of big fat rosehips on them too.

 

[Toddy]

Now that sounds like a HEDGE

Might I suggest a Loganberry or two. It's jaggier than a bramble, at least as vigorous and the fruits are delicious

p.s. I can supply rooted bits if needed

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[sandsnakes]

Speed

The entire thing has been laid with an eye to quick growth. We were informed that if we slap the odd bucket of water around them in the dryish times they would maintain growth in the early years. Buy the end of the year we are hoping for about 30/45cm of growth given competitive planting and a spot of pruning.

We talked to neighbourhood watch and they were depressing, no barbwire, broken glass on walls, spikes etc, etc. All they could suggest were even higher fences and more garden lights. Polish neighbour was most indignant as he could get a job lot of ex eastern block razor wire for about £30. It’s the usual problem of the little crack addicts falling and hurting their shins and running to mummy with tears in their eyes- and litigation in their souls!

Thanks for the rugosa tip and the logan berry idea.

Great thing is its all in the dead area of the towpath so its not ours, sneaky one that.


Sandsnakes

 

[John Fenna]

Love it!
Please let some scumbag try the Blackthorn and get spiked, let it go septic and lose his ******* arm!
Not that I am vindictive or anything....in fact I am realy the caring sharing sort who actually works with the "deprived"...maybe that actually explains my sentiments!
John

 

[maverix]

Proper job....

The only other species I could add to that would be :

Ursus arctos

THo I think there may be a few more problems reintroducing that one to our shores

 

[Zodiak]

That sounds like a good plan, we are looking at doing that to bolster the fence by the side of our Scout HQ, mainly to stop the scum using the garden as a toilet, drug den and knocking shop.

We have started growing leylandii, partly to act as a barrier and partly as a wildlife habitat, but they just cut the fence and push through the bushes.

 

[BorderReiver]

That sounds like a good plan, we are looking at doing that to bolster the fence by the side of our Scout HQ, mainly to stop the scum using the garden as a toilet, drug den and knocking shop.

We have started growing leylandii, partly to act as a barrier and partly as a wildlife habitat, but they just cut the fence and push through the bushes.[/QUOTE]

They are not going to push through Sandsnakes little thicket.

 

[sam_acw]

Just a quick addition - The humble nettle must be a bit of a deterrent and it is pretty useful for bushcraft too!

 

[Culicoidis]

The berberis has uses as well;

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Berberis+thunbergii

The above link to "plants for a future" shoves it is edible and has medicinal uses. Have found on other sites that it is rich in Vit C, so you could make berberis syrup instead of rose hip to ward off winter colds.

 

[useless]

To be honest, i think you should simply add some sand snakes!

 

[BOD]