How to plan a plot of 6 acres
A serious question about how to plan a plot of 6 acres arises not only among novice gardeners, but also among those owners of "hacienda" who have decided to completely change the appearance of their possessions. This is explained simply - if you are lucky enough to have a place where you can escape from a noisy and stuffy city at least for a weekend, it is not at all necessary to use it exclusively for growing organic vegetables, berries and fruits. It would be quite nice to equip one or even several zones for a good rest.
Landscaping is the whole art of designing certain areas of the territory. There are several schemes that professional designers prefer to work with. With independent planning, you can also use one of the ready-made developments, taking it completely as a basis, or use only individual elements from it that are suitable for a particular site.
Whichever plan is chosen, the most important criterion for the residents of the house will be the maximum convenience of using all the facilities provided for comfortable rest and work.
Landscape designers have developed six basic planning schemes for a suburban area, which professionals usually rely on when carrying out work, enriching, of course, these templates with their own ideas.
- Rectangular layout
This type of territory planning can be called the most popular, since basically all summer cottages have a rectangular or square shape. And it should be noted that they are also the most comfortable for arrangement.
The most uncomplicated - rectangular layout
It is convenient to carry out the distribution scheme of objects on a sheet of paper lined in a cage (or on graph paper), and when drawing it, it is necessary to predetermine and observe a certain scale, for example, 1:100.
Defining different zones in a territory with right angles is much easier to make than creating complex intricate schemes that bring disorder to the general appearance of the site. It is easier to make a rectangular plot more open by placing various residential and outbuildings, ponds, beds, flower beds, alpine slides, fruit trees and shrubs on it in the correct order. In addition, with this approach, it is easier to plan the various communications necessary to ensure a comfortable stay on the site.
- Diagonal layout
Diagonal planning can be done on a rectangular, square, or irregularly shaped area. The defining elements of such zoning are the paths dividing the section, which are laid diagonally, from corner to corner. Sometimes designers, when drawing up a diagram, prefer to completely move away from horizontal and vertical lines, even planning the placement of a house diagonally across the site.
The main "reference lines" are diagonally drawn tracks
This way of placing objects will visually expand the space and make the territory more spacious. In addition, there is the possibility of the original distribution of zones. With this approach, they can be distinguished much more, since the paths drawn will connect the corners of the territory, which quite often remain completely unused.
Diagonal planning is usually used if it is planned to build a house and complete all the design of the site in a certain style.
- Irregular planning
Irregular scheduling includes various ways to organize zones. Here, elements of a rectangular, diagonal and curvilinear layout can be applied, but they must be mutually placed so that they are in harmony with each other.
On the presented plan, which was drawn up for a specific site, you can well consider all the areas of the territory conceived by the designer:
1 - Entrance zone, naturally located in front of the site, overlooking the road. Here, a covered parking lot can be arranged for a car, or a full-fledged garage can be built.
2 - The entrance zone is a continuation of the entrance. A path leading to the house is arranged on it, and it is most often decorated with flower beds.
3 - The recreation area is almost always located in the depths of the site, but not far from the residential building. In this area, a playground, a swimming pool, a gazebo are organized, swings or garden benches are installed for relaxation. Fruit or ornamental trees can also be planted here.
4 - The economic zone is most often located in the far corner of the site. The necessary outbuildings are being erected there, and a sanitary zone is being equipped - a summer shower room and a toilet.
5 - The garden in this diagram is located in the corner of the territory. If this zone is organized in this way, then the fence of the site in this place should not be continuous, since garden crops usually need natural ventilation, otherwise a lack of sun and an excess of moisture can lead to rotting of vegetables right on the beds.
6 - Alpine hill. Usually it is also included in the recreation area, but it is somewhat isolated, as it can become a corner for solitude, sometimes so necessary for communicating with nature.
7 - Garden area. Ornamental and fruit trees and shrubs are planted here, and this area of \u200b\u200bthe cottage can also be used for recreation.
Irregular site planning can be applied to the territory having any geometric shape. Carrying out the distribution of zones, you do not have to adhere to any strict rules for the location of objects that are not connected by communications, therefore this type of planning is quite popular among land owners.
- Curvilinear planning
Curvilinear planning can be called spontaneous, since the paths on the site are laid along convenient well-trodden routes. Therefore, in landscape design, this type of distribution of zones is called natural or natural.
The emphasized smoothness of the lines is the main principle of the curvilinear layout
In this variant of the arrangement of the site, there are no straight and sharp corners, and all the paths have smooth, almost imperceptible turns, so the territory looks aesthetically pleasing and elegant. Along the paths passing through the site, various shrubs are planted, flower beds are broken, which will need to be carefully monitored throughout the summer, otherwise they will quietly begin to capture the path area.
- Tangents and arcs in layout
The use of tangents and arcs in the planning of a site can be applied to a site of any shape. This distribution of zones makes the territory more dynamic, where the shapes and turns, replacing each other, have rounded corners, which is very comfortable for leisurely walks.
A similar layout of the arrangement of the site can be used for any architectural style of the house. On the presented diagram, you can clearly see all the objects located on the site.
- Radial layout
The radial or circular planning scheme is different in that all the objects of the site are located in a circle or semicircle, which fit into a certain area of the territory. In order to emphasize the unusual shape of the arrangement of elements on a rectangular plot, its corners are planted with shrubs or fruit trees.
In this case, when drawing up a project, in addition to a square grid, they also use compasses to draw a circle inscribed in a square or rectangular shape of the site and divided in the form of rays. On these radially diverging rays, decorative elements of the landscape and the main structures are located.
A house in such a layout can be located in the central part of the circle or on one of the beams, but in order for the dynamics to be observed, the building will have to fit harmoniously into this shape. In the event that a residential building on the site has already been erected, then planning can be done around it or on one of its sides.
The example project used a radial layout inscribed in a square area:
1 - The residential building is located on the arc of the central circle.
2 - Bath. A path leads to it, which is part of a circle located near the house.
3 - Garage. This building is located at the entrance to the territory, and its own semicircle is organized around it.
4 - A small secluded gazebo.
5 - Greenhouse, remote to the corner of the site.
6 - The garden, located next to the greenhouse, has beds in the form of rays.
7 - Fruit trees are planted in this case along the edge of the site.
8 - A playground installed next to the house, so it can be clearly seen from his window, and the children will be under the control of adults.
9 - Rockery - a flower bed with various plants well matched to each other, and additionally decorated with stones.
10 - Ornamental trees or shrubs. They can be selected in such a way that flowering will continue from early spring to late autumn.
11 - Tracks that are arranged in circles.
12 - Entrance zone, which can be used as a parking lot for a car.
Criteria for determining the main purpose of the site
To apply one or another basic planning scheme, you need to decide in advance what the area around the house will be intended for:
- It will only be a place of rest, a garden, a garden or a complex divided into different zones.
- Will one of the varieties of artificial reservoirs be located on the site - a pond, a decorative waterfall, a pool or a fountain.
- Do you need a playground, and what will be on it.
- Will there be a barbecue area?
- Which of the outbuildings is planned to be erected on the site.
- The number of flower beds and their varieties.
- Do you need parking or a garage for a car in the country?
- Where will the sanitary zone be located - on the site or in the house itself.
After a clear answer to the questions listed, the owner of the site will most likely have the first outlines of the plan.
What should be considered in the project?
In order for the planning to be successful, the plan of the site attached to the cadastral passport must be taken as the basis for the drawing, which must be transferred to graph paper on a scale of 100: 1, that is, 1 m of the site per 1 cm of the scheme. In the case when the house has already been erected, it is applied immediately to the scheme, and already around it other buildings, objects and elements of landscape design begin to “place”.
Plumbing and artificial reservoirs
The plan for distributing water pipes must be drawn up as rationally as possible, since the network being created should cover all areas where water is required - this is, first of all, a residential building, then a bathhouse, a swimming pool, a garage, a barbecue area, a garden and a kitchen garden.
- It is desirable to deepen the pipes into the ground by 500 ÷ 700 mm. If the pipeline is planned to be light, which will pass through the ground, then it will have to be dismantled annually for the winter period, and in the spring it will be installed in place.
It often makes sense to limit yourself to light "summer" plumbing.
- In the event that a country house is planned to be used only in summer, you can use ordinary reinforced hoses, polyethylene or polypropylene pipes, which are installed only for this time and are brought to the desired areas.
How to install plumbing in the country
This largely depends on the type of main water source. Read more about how you can - read in a separate publication of our portal.
- Further, the water supply is directed to the area where a bathhouse will be erected, as well as a shower and a toilet. Even if the bathroom is planned to be made in the house, it is recommended to have a toilet on the site, so that during work in the garden you do not drag dirt into the house. It is best to install these objects in the far corner of the site.
The toilet and shower are usually installed in the complex, and sometimes a utility block is attached to them. Thus, you can save not only on materials, but also on the organization of sewage.
Complete solution - toilet, outdoor shower and utility room
Usually this zone is closed from prying eyes by tall shrubs or planted with evergreens such as pyramidal thuja, boxwood and others.
- Naturally, it is necessary to provide vegetable beds, berry bushes and fruit trees with high-quality watering. To do this, it is recommended to bring the water supply to the garden and garden area.
- If it is planned to equip a pool or pond on the site, then it is also necessary to lay a pipeline to them, but not only for supplying water, but also for sewage. These reservoirs require periodic flushing and water changes.
It should also be taken into account that a pool or a pond is arranged in different places, but for one or another reservoir, an important condition will be the absence of tall trees nearby.
The pool is usually located in an open sunny area, near the house. It is desirable that it is clearly visible from the window, especially if the family has small children.
The pond is recommended to be located at a distance from the house among low shrubs that can shade the surface of the water, since ultraviolet rays will contribute to its flowering, and it will often have to be changed or a complex cleaning system provided.
This reservoir should not be located close to the house, because in the evening, a lot of different insects gather in the grass near the water, which will fly into the light of the windows and into the house.
Artificial reservoir - decoration of a suburban area
It is quite possible to build such an original element of landscape design on your own. Read more about that in a special publication of the portal.
Sewerage
It is impossible to do without a sewerage system or collection of household waste in a summer cottage, especially if the house is used for living all year round. In order not to have problems with regulatory organizations, it is necessary, in accordance with existing sanitary standards, to properly locate and equip a septic tank or an isolated cesspool on the territory. At the same time, they adhere to certain rules established by SNiP and SanPiN.
- Sewer pipes must be located at a distance of at least 10 m from the water main. If possible, a treatment or storage facility on the relief of the site should be located below the water intake, so that in the event of a breakthrough, sewage does not enter clean water.
- The septic tank must be at least 5 m away from the foundation of the house - this will eliminate the risk of washing away the walls of the building in emergency situations, and also eliminate the unpleasant smell in the house. However, you also need to know that it is also not worth removing the septic tank too far from the house, as this will provoke internal blockages. If you still have to equip it at a more distant distance, then it is necessary to provide an inspection well every 15 m.
- The septic tank must be located at least 5 meters from a busy road.
- A septic tank is located from the fence between the sections, stepping back at least 2 m.
- From fruit trees or shrubs, the distance should be at least 3 m.
- Distance from a river or stream -10 m, from a stagnant reservoir - at least 30 m.
- The entrance to the inspection hatch of the septic tank should be free, since it will periodically have to be cleaned of accumulated deposits using sewage equipment.
Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that the sewer system and the location of the septic tank must be planned immediately when building a house before dividing the site into zones.
Sewerage in a country house is a serious issue
In order not to have problems with regulatory organizations, with the sanitary-epidemiological or environmental service, and with neighbors in the area, special attention will have to be paid to issues - details are set out in the corresponding article of the portal.
And another publication will help with, optimally meeting the specific conditions of living in a country house.
The main elements of the arrangement of the site and its landscape design
- At the entrance to the site, parking is often provided for a car, with or without a canopy. If, however, it is not so much a summer cottage that is being equipped, but a house for long-term or permanent residence, then it is more expedient to think about a stationary garage.
Sometimes a garage is also arranged under the house, but this can only be foreseen at the stage of drawing up a project for a residential building, even before the foundation is erected.
- Recently, more and more often in summer cottages, in their recreation areas, barbecue stoves are being installed. The convenience of this zone lies in the fact that it can serve as a gazebo and a summer kitchen, which makes it possible to spend more time outdoors. Such zones are arranged close to the house, but at the same time - and not too close to it, so that during cooking, smoke does not enter the open windows of the living quarters.
Great place to relax - BBQ area
The stove itself cannot be installed under the crowns of trees, otherwise the hot air emanating from the pipe will dry the leaves on the branches, after which the tree may die, and the leaves can easily ignite from a spark that has fallen.
- If instead of a barbecue area it is decided to install a gazebo, then it is usually placed near the house. A pleasant shade that will be created in it thanks to dense greenery will make it possible to relax in coolness and freshness on hot days. In addition, in such a place it is good to spend not only days, but also quiet evenings with a cup of tea and a pleasant conversation.
The variety of gazebos is extremely large, so it is possible to choose the right one both in terms of area and design so that it harmoniously fits into the created landscape of the site.
- If there are children in the family, then you can’t do without a playground on the adjacent plot. It can be made stationary, but there is another solution. So, for example, in the modern assortment of specialized stores, original inflatable complexes are attached, including slides, trampolines, pools, as well as other elements of interest to the child.
A good solution - a safe inflatable playground
The convenience of such towns is that they are stable, but light in weight, and they can be rearranged to a shady or, conversely, sunny place. In addition, for the winter period they are easily assembled, packed and do not take up much space in the pantry.
- If there is a land plot, then few people will refrain from planting at least a small amount of greenery or vegetables on the beds. And in fact, do not bring tomatoes or beets grown in Turkish greenhouses to your own dacha when it is possible to get an environmentally friendly product from your own garden. To get a decent harvest, you need to choose the right place for arranging the beds. For this, an open place on the south side of the house is best suited, where most of the day there is sun.
Fruit trees and shrubs are usually planted along the fence - so they will not block the natural lighting of the beds. Tall trees are often planted near the walls of the house to create dense shade and keep the rooms cool on hot days.
- Many summer residents dream of getting fresh vegetables in the first month of summer, and for this it is necessary to install a greenhouse or hotbed. It is not at all necessary to build a large structure - it is enough to allocate only two or three square meters of space for this. In early spring, seedlings grown in advance on the windowsill are planted under the film.
It is worth equipping the greenhouse in such a way that the film or transparent walls on it can be removed, periodically giving access to greenery to fresh air and sunlight. In established warm weather, such a greenhouse can be easily turned into an ordinary bed, removing the cover from it completely.
The construction of a greenhouse or greenhouse can be approached creatively
Greenhouses and greenhouses can have very original designs, and various, sometimes even unexpected materials are used for their construction. If you want to get more information on - take a look at the publication of the portal dedicated to precisely these issues.
- Quite often, if there is a land plot, there is a desire to start breeding poultry, and it should be noted that it is quite possible to implement this even on six acres by installing a compact and fairly aesthetic chicken coop.
This object is best installed at the end of the site, away from the residential building, so that the unpleasant smell does not enter the rooms through the windows open in summer.
The chicken coop can fit perfectly into the overall style of the site.
How to correctly, and what sizes and proportions should be followed at the same time - all this can be found in a special publication of our portal.
- The Alpine hill has become one of the favorite elements of landscape design among the owners of private houses. It can be located in a fairly large space or compactly occupy a small corner.
There are many different types of alpine slides, and choosing one of them to decorate a small corner will not be difficult. In fact, this decorative object is a kind of flower bed, raised above the main space of the site and decorated with plants that can grow on slopes among stones, as well as large and small boulders and pebbles.
To create an alpine slide, you can use the soil left after digging a foundation pit for one of the buildings. To raise the hill, it is not necessary to use fertile soil - it will be enough to lay it only with the top layer, the thickness of which is determined by the depth of the root system of the plants selected for planting. Around evergreen shrubs and ornamental perennial grass, stones matched to them are laid. An alpine hill can be installed near a pond or in front of the windows of the house, so that you can admire the flowering of plants and their harmonious arrangement on the slope of this artificial elevation.
- Upon completion of the planning of the site, all objects on it are connected by paths that can be laid from various materials. Paving should be laid out on a place previously prepared for it.
To form the paths, crushed stone of a fine fraction, slabs of various sizes and shapes, round timber sawn from tree trunks and other, sometimes completely unexpected materials, are used.
Paths in the country - space for creativity
Creative owners should not have problems with arranging convenient and beautiful paths on their territory. How to rationally arrange, and from what it is possible to cover them - all this is detailed in a separate publication of the portal.
- After the distribution of the tracks on the territory, you can think about their design. The best option, which will emphasize the direction of the paths and become a wonderful decoration for the entire site, is the arrangement of flower beds.
Flowerbeds can be of different shapes and sizes - specialists involved in landscape design have special templates for their arrangement. If there are no flower beds on the site, then it looks boring and uninteresting, so you should not refuse this decorative element, although it will cause a lot of trouble, as it requires constant care. And it is best to make flower beds from different varieties of plants that will replace each other with flowering, starting from the warm spring months and ending in late autumn.
In addition to laying out flower beds, the free zones of the site are quite often decorated with various decorative items that you can make yourself - you just need to turn on your imagination and make some effort.
Video: basic rules for placing objects on a suburban area
The procedure for drawing up a plan
Now, having information about all the main functional and decorative structures and elements that can be located on the territory of a suburban area, in summing up, it is necessary to consider the general sequence of drawing up a plan:
- The first step is always to choose a place to build a house.
- If it is planned to equip the bathroom in the house, then, determining the location of the building, the area where the septic tank will be installed is immediately calculated, sewage pipes coming from the house are laid.
- Further, it is planned to build a parking lot or garage.
- It is planned, if necessary, the location of the summer toilet and shower, which, in order to save space and money for building materials, can be combined into a complex and installed in the far corner of the site.
- After that, you need to determine a place for a garden and garden plantings.
- Places are allocated for recreation areas - a playground, barbecue, gazebos, etc.
- When these objects that require communications are distributed, the layout of the pipes of the stationary or summer water supply must be indicated on the plan. At the same time, the issue of laying power cables, if necessary, is being considered.
- The next step is the planning of specific objects of landscape design - a pond and an alpine slide.
- After that, you can think about the rest of the elements of landscape design.
- Now you can combine all the objects with paths along which you can place flower beds or flower borders.
It may be necessary to draw several site plans so that each of the stages of arrangement (for example, laying communications) can be seen as clearly as possible. Therefore, separate schemes will be required, but all of them must be fully consistent with each other.
Drawing up a plan for placing everything you need on a garden plot is a creative process that requires imagination, the use of your own developments and ideas within the framework of existing standards related to fire and environmental safety. Of course, you can entrust site planning to specialists who know their business and do it professionally, but it will be quite expensive. And, to be honest, no one except the owners will be able to better provide for all their own requests and wishes aimed at maximum comfort of living in their possessions.