How to properly equip a garden plot to combine comfort and beauty into one
Before you properly equip a garden plot, you need to study a number of nuances that allow you to competently cope with the task. Improving the territory and dividing it into functional zones will require a lot of time and effort. In order not to encounter difficulties during work, it is worthwhile to develop an action plan in advance.
Functional purpose and preparation for planning
Starting planning, it is advisable to have a site plan, according to which the location of communications, buildings and areas for planting is determined. Preparatory work includes the study of the nature of the soil, relief, shape, the presence of reservoirs. In some cases, it may be necessary to organize drainage, remove or add the top layer of soil, construct a blind area for walls, level the surface of the territory. For a thorough study of the area, a number of factors must be taken into account:
- Terrain quality: ravines, hills, flat terrain. Based on this, a communication layout is determined.
- Soil: clay, humus, sand. For growing horticultural crops, it is important to take care of soil acidity... This indicator must be taken into account when choosing flowers, bushes and trees for the garden.
- Plot shape: square or rectangle. It depends on the form how to plan the correct suburban area as convenient as possible.
- The groundwater. In the presence of closely located groundwater, it is necessary to take care of the drainage system and drainage system.
- Climate and windiness. In a ventilated area, additional protection for plants must be provided.
- The amount of light.
Tall trees and outbuildings should be located in the north of the garden so that they do not create shade during the day.
Having studied all the nuances, you can proceed to the choice of design, decoration and construction work.
The choice of style
Before equipping a garden plot, you will have to think about the stylistic direction. This does not mean that when decorating the territory, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules, but to create a harmonious space, one of three directions can be taken as a basis.
Geometric garden style
The name of this style speaks for itself. Its distinctive feature is the clear arrangement of all design elements. This is the best solution for a flat suburban area. In this case, fruit trees and shrubs are planted in the form of a square, rectangle, circle, or staggered.
The form garden paths strictly straight, width no more than 80 cm (this parameter is relevant for all directions). When placing flower beds, flower arrangements, decorative elements, one intended line is maintained.
Landscape style
The picturesque style is characterized by bizarre shapes, curved garden paths, bright flower beds.How to equip a garden plot in a landscape style should be taken care of in advance: purchase unusual decorative elements, choose material for paving paths, think over the design reservoirs.
This design is perfect for a relief area, on the territory of which there is a natural reservoir, a hill or a ravine. Using design techniques, you can turn the imperfections of the site into the main attraction of the garden.
Mixed style
Often, homeowners make a choice in favor of a mixed style: a combination of geometric and picturesque directions. This looks especially advantageous in mixed terrain, when half of the area is perfectly flat and the other is not.
When choosing a design, there is no rigid framework, everything is limited by the finances and taste preferences of the owners. If you have any difficulties during the design, you can contact the designers who will help you develop and implement any ideas.
Planning
The layout is necessary for the competent distribution of objects on the site. You can draw it yourself by hand, or make it using a computer program. This point cannot be neglected, even when specialists are involved in planning. Having a plan in hand, it will be easier to settle issues with employees, and control the process.
A detailed diagram should include several points:
- Location of all construction sites.
- Landscaping areas, including greenhouses, flower beds and types of vegetation.
- Shape, direction and material of garden paths.
- Drainage system for close groundwater.
- Artificial reservoirs, if provided by the project.
- Number, design and placement of lighting fixtures.
- The cost of materials and work of specialists.
How to properly equip a garden plot by zoning
The process of arranging the garden area will be much easier if you divide the site into functional zones:
- residential area (10% of the site);
- a place for placing a garden and a vegetable garden (about ½ part);
- additional buildings, including shower and toilet (15%);
- place to rest (the remaining 25%).
The percentage of land for vegetable garden and garden can be adjusted in favor of a place for rest, depending on preference.
Building a house
Taking care of how to correctly arrange buildings on the site, you should first determine the place for the construction of a residential building. It is this building that is the center of the territory and will become a determining factor for the further placement of vegetation, recreation areas and utility rooms.
The location of the house is affected by the purpose of the suburban area:
- In the case when a country house is used for recreation purposes, the building should be positioned according to the conceived landscape solution, harmoniously fitting it into the overall style.
- If plantings are planned on the garden plot, it is advisable to locate the house as close to the borders as possible.
In addition to personal wishes, before equipping a plot of land with a house, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors:
- the depth of the groundwater (the foundation of the building depends on this);
- the presence of nearby houses (the distance between houses is at least 6 meters);
- layout of existing or planned communication lines;
- tall trees that cannot be cut down (construction is prohibited within a radius of 250 cm from them);
- placement of the house relative to other structures (to the toilet at least 15 meters, to the bathhouse - 6 meters, outbuildings - 15 meters);
- distance from access roads and streets (no closer than 5 meters).
Compliance with each point is mandatory during construction work, and some of them will not allow the work to be completed. In the presence of uneven terrain, it is better to place a residential building on a hill in such a way that it does not create a shade for vegetation.For convenience, it is worth leaving free access roads for transport, including a sewage truck.
Having decided what to build on the site, you need to choose quality materials. Wanting to build a house in a short time, you should give preference to the block or frame-panel version.
Construction of utility structures
The design of outbuildings is often overlooked. This is not true, despite the fact that they will be hidden from prying eyes. The layout of the garden area implies the location of this type of buildings in the depths of the territory. It is advisable to place buildings on the north side, so that they protect the plants from the wind, while not creating shade.
If the layout does not allow the construction of outbuildings in the depths of the site, their external design should be in harmony with the design of the house, or decorated with tall trees, bushes or a vineyard.
Buildings for domestic needs should not be located at a low point in the garden, otherwise access to them will be difficult during rains.
Outdoor shower and toilet
In a summer house, the installation of a bathroom and toilet is rarely provided, so you should take care of their placement within the site. In order to save space and convenience, it is better to make a toilet and a shower in the same building. Thinking about how to properly and comfortably equip a garden plot with all the amenities, it is necessary to take into account several nuances:
- due to high humidity and regular outflow of water, the building should be located at a distance from other buildings;
- a sufficient amount of natural light must enter the room;
- a structure with a large area should be erected on a foundation.
It is not worth saving on materials, poor quality will lead to a short operational life and re-construction.
Relaxation area
There are no clear limits when determining a place to stay This can be a free-standing gazebo in the shade of garden trees, or several zones located in different parts of the garden:
- children's play area with sandbox and slide;
- garden room, which plays the role of a veranda, summer kitchen and flower garden;
- patio;
- covered barbecue with a table and chairs under a canopy;
- beautiful benches located near the reservoir (if any).
Any option on how to properly equip a recreation area is limited only by imagination. The only rule for such buildings is one: there should be beautiful flowers and picturesque shrubs around.
When designing an area for relaxing with friends, or secluded relaxation, due attention should be paid to lighting. In the absence of a stationary electric line, a diesel generator will come to the rescue.
Garden
To decide where to locate a vegetable garden on the site, you need to choose the sunniest and most open place. For a high yield, the garden area should not be shaded by buildings and tall trees, although some crops do not like exposure to direct sunlight. When choosing vegetables for planting, one must take into account their requirements for moisture, watering frequency and light. This will help you avoid mistakes and choose the most suitable place for each plant.
At first glance, installing a greenhouse is not difficult, but if placed incorrectly, the quantity and quality of seedlings can be very low. The planning of a summer cottage with a greenhouse should be carried out according to the recommendations:
- Lighting. Plants in greenhouses need a lot of sunlight, so the structure should not be in the shade of other buildings or trees. The less light, the worse the growth of crops.
- The level of groundwater flow, the presence of a nearby reservoir and the slope of the site in this place.
- Soil quality. If the soil in the greenhouse is not conducive to high yields, it is necessary to apply fertilizer, or bring better quality land for planting.
- Accommodation.Access and driveways to the greenhouse must be accessible. For easier watering water pipes should be as close as possible.
Having figured out where to locate a vegetable garden on the site, and having installed a greenhouse, you can start improving the territory.
Garden area
Before planning a site and planting flower arrangements on it, you should first make a sketch of future flower beds. This will help not only to choose the right plants, but also to clearly see how the flower garden will look like. Plantings need regular maintenance, so don't make them too wide. Otherwise, it will be difficult to weed the flower bed and apply fertilizer.
As for the location, it can be a local area, or free-standing flower beds, alpine slides and rockeries, scattered throughout the site, along paths or on the shore of a reservoir.
In order not to face a lack of space in the future, even at the stage of creating a sketch, it is worth determining a place for flower beds with a margin for subsequent expansion.
Designer figurines, unusual figurines of fairytale characters and animals, sculptures, fountains will help to add coziness, beauty and charm. These decorative elements should be placed in prominent places, drawing attention to themselves. It is important to observe the measure and choose decorations that fit the general style of the territory.
Among designers, a technique is popular, in which decorative elements that carry a functional load are used in the photo of the design planning and arrangement of the garden plot: birdhouses and feeders, wicker furniture, flowerpots.
Layout of a garden plot of different shapes
The easiest way is to decide how to equip a square garden plot, but the territory does not always have this shape. Depending on this, planning options can be adjusted.
Rectangular section
The best option for a summer residence, which allows you to embody all ideas. In this case, the area of the garden is of great importance - the smaller it is, the more compact each of the functional zones will be.
If you have a small space, you can limit yourself to a small house, beds, a gazebo and compact, picturesque flower gardens around the perimeter. The width of the tracks should also correspond to the available area, and not take up most of it.
Elongated shape
The elongated shape forces the use of design techniques that visually correct the situation:
- To visually expand the site, it must be properly zoned. Low bushes, hedges, or arches entwined with plants are perfect as a separator.
- The accent color can also play an important role: the narrow part is used for planting tall trees and bright flowers, and the wide part is used for small plants of cold shades.
If you cannot cope with this task on your own, you can contact the professionals who will tell you how to plan the planting on the site.
L-shaped territory
A site of this shape has one indisputable advantage: one of its parts is out of sight. This feature allows you to use the protruding part as a place for outbuildings or a lounge area.
These options are common for territories with any area; specific changes are made depending on the number of acres.
Arrangement of 6 ares
When planning a plot of 6 acres, you need to determine the location of the house, greenhouses with beds, recreation areas and household buildings. The house is being built on the northern border in such a way that in the future it does not obscure places with plantings. For fruit trees, a site is allocated in the direction from north to south. They are placed at a distance of three meters, from each other, in a checkerboard pattern.
The layout of the suburban area on the cardinal points implies the construction of utility blocks along the south side, where you can also install a greenhouse and break beds.
Marking 15 ares
If there are 15 acres, there will be no problems with the location of buildings and the organization of all the necessary zones. The vast territory allows you to freely erect buildings and plant a variety of crops. Site design can consist of several stylistic directions.
Thinking of how to arrange everything on a plot of 15 acres, you can not adhere to clear forms, but arrange decorative elements and flower arrangements in a chaotic manner. This will not spoil the appearance of the garden, but, on the contrary, will make it brighter and more unusual.
Improving the suburban area is a rather interesting and creative process that requires compliance with a number of standards and rules. If you approach this event with all your imagination and responsibility, the result will delight you for many years.