The basic structure of a wattle fence is a line of posts stuck in the ground and thinner, more flexible lengths — known as withies — woven in and out to form a wooden fabric of sorts.

The basic structure of a wattle fence is a line of posts stuck in the ground and thinner, more flexible lengths — known as withies — woven in and out to form a wooden fabric of sorts.

Barbara Damrosch is the author of "The Four Season Farm Gardener's Cookbook"; her website is www.fourseasonfarm.com.