I don't agree about the sprayer. It will blow over nearby paths, houses, cars, washing, dogs and stain them. I find a brush is easy enough and lays it on well.
My preference is for a dark brown, it is unobtrusive behind plants or shrubs and to me, it looks traditional. I don't like golds or colours.
I generally push through the vegetation. There is a posh trick of putting trellis on big hooks on the posts, so you can lift it off and lay it down, with the plants, when you need to treat the fence. Modern water-based waxy stains are not harmful to plants (like creosote used to be) so probably not worth the bother now. The stain will disfigure evergreens though, until they shed their leaves or needles. I find it is good on branches and trunks as it discourages woolly aphid and other insects (I use it on damaged bark).
The most important parts of a fence to treat are those facing upward, as rain is liable to lie there and cause rot.
p.s. if you have concrete fence posts or gravel boards, you can put dark brown masonry paint on them to blend in with the woodwork, and look extra-beautiful. I can show you a pic if you want.
