I have now started working on an initial garden design using graph paper and would like to share my draft here. It seems there is no really good, free software for garden planning, hence the use of graph paper.
Nothing has been agreed upon within the family yet; I expect at least some issues regarding parking since I don’t like garages or carports and would prefer to place two weatherproof garden pavilions, each 3x3 meters (10x10 feet), one behind the other (even though this means exiting the car outside the pavilions). To the right of the pavilions, I would like to plant yellow and pink blooming, evergreen honeysuckle so the view doesn’t fall on the car parking area of the neighbors living on the right.
On the left side of the property, I would like to simply continue the Thuja hedge already planted by the neighbors and end it in a spiral hedge where I can hide the three necessary trash bins. I do not want a compost pile but rather two of those rotating roll composters. They will stand on the far right side of the property, at the very back, behind the five-sided green garden shed.
Behind the house, the three fruit trees required by the local development plan will be planted (apple, self-pollinating cherry, and plum).
In front of the house, I would like to plant a yellow-flowering magnolia on the left and a fir tree on the right, which I can decorate with ornaments during the Christmas season.
The freestanding mailbox should be green and have a nostalgic look. The bicycle rack should also be green and similarly nostalgic in style. I still need to figure out the lighting.
All flowering plants should bloom in pink and/or yellow as much as possible.
The sandstone-colored, wider beams are an initial idea for several paths’ layout. They are not yet complete and should have a curved shape. All terraces are to be round or semi-circular. Sandstone or sandstone-colored, maybe paving.
All areas that are white or grid-patterned will still be planted; that will take some time. Now, the photos.
Our house facade:
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First draft on graph paper:
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Neighbors on the left:
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Neighbors on the right:
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Our house, back and front:
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Nothing has been agreed upon within the family yet; I expect at least some issues regarding parking since I don’t like garages or carports and would prefer to place two weatherproof garden pavilions, each 3x3 meters (10x10 feet), one behind the other (even though this means exiting the car outside the pavilions). To the right of the pavilions, I would like to plant yellow and pink blooming, evergreen honeysuckle so the view doesn’t fall on the car parking area of the neighbors living on the right.
On the left side of the property, I would like to simply continue the Thuja hedge already planted by the neighbors and end it in a spiral hedge where I can hide the three necessary trash bins. I do not want a compost pile but rather two of those rotating roll composters. They will stand on the far right side of the property, at the very back, behind the five-sided green garden shed.
Behind the house, the three fruit trees required by the local development plan will be planted (apple, self-pollinating cherry, and plum).
In front of the house, I would like to plant a yellow-flowering magnolia on the left and a fir tree on the right, which I can decorate with ornaments during the Christmas season.
The freestanding mailbox should be green and have a nostalgic look. The bicycle rack should also be green and similarly nostalgic in style. I still need to figure out the lighting.
All flowering plants should bloom in pink and/or yellow as much as possible.
The sandstone-colored, wider beams are an initial idea for several paths’ layout. They are not yet complete and should have a curved shape. All terraces are to be round or semi-circular. Sandstone or sandstone-colored, maybe paving.
All areas that are white or grid-patterned will still be planted; that will take some time. Now, the photos.
Our house facade:
-----------------------
First draft on graph paper:
---------------------------------------
Neighbors on the left:
-----------------
Neighbors on the right:
-------------------
Our house, back and front:
-------------------------------------------
A robot does not work well on a wildflower meadow. So, you don’t need to worry about the wildlife.
You can almost always trim and cut back plants. However, it does require work, especially when you are older.
We have clay soil and so far no issues with it becoming muddy. A lot of clover has grown on the pathway. I reseeded my small fruit garden 8 days ago with a different mixture, so we’ll see. I can report back later.
You can almost always trim and cut back plants. However, it does require work, especially when you are older.
We have clay soil and so far no issues with it becoming muddy. A lot of clover has grown on the pathway. I reseeded my small fruit garden 8 days ago with a different mixture, so we’ll see. I can report back later.
Kreisrund schrieb:
That seems to be your perspective. Mine is different. For us, a space is used regularly when it is very beautiful, not just when it is very practical. I don’t know if there is such a thing as an “average person.” Everyone has to find out for themselves what is important to them. For someone like you, a second terrace at the back of the garden might seem like a waste, while for another person it could be a wonderful addition. That’s funny, because we actually have a pavilion as a second terrace in the back garden area. And it’s always amusing when people without any terrace at all try to tell you how things really are. 😀
And yes, we do like to sit in the pavilion from time to time, depending, for example, on the weather and especially if it’s the weekend.
But in everyday life, we use the terrace right next to the kitchen.
You will probably spend most of your daily time in the kitchen rather than going outside, since you don’t just have to cross the entire garden but also the whole house.
If I’m reading this correctly, the garbage bins are placed next to the kitchen exit, and usually, a terrace cannot be built within a 3m (10 ft) setback area from the neighbor. So at first glance, I don’t see any alternative there.
And before everyone gets upset again that this is just my opinion and others see it differently: yes, these are just well-meaning suggestions. Maybe you should take the advice from @Kreisrund in post #30 and first observe for a while where you actually spend the most time in the garden before starting to build.
W
WilderSueden16 May 2022 14:04Pinkiponk schrieb:
That sounds very interesting and is currently beyond my imagination ... but it must be nice. I need to think it over. But isn’t it quite muddy when it rains or in similar conditions? I also like walking around the garden in the rain. I thought about this for a long time too. Our soil is quite clayey and tends to retain water. But I didn’t really want to pave the path behind the house (which would be the shortest route to the garden shed). At first, I considered using bark mulch or something similar, but that also requires a subbase. For now, I’m planning to try grass first, possibly digging in some sand before sowing. Later, if needed, the path can still be covered with gravel or stepping stones can be added. What tipped the decision for me was looking at the neighbor’s garden where there is no designated path between the garden shed and terrace either.
Pinkiponk schrieb:
Relaxing, walking around, looking at plants and the (starry) sky, browsing websites on a laptop, fiddling on the phone, listening to the fountain’s trickling and the buzzing of insects, reading, smelling flowers, occasionally grilling, eating, pulling out some weeds, chatting with neighbors (only possible on one side), picking some fruit, painting toenails ... I see some things are easier when you are close to the house. Of course, you can extend WiFi to the far end, but that needs to be factored in. And you can carry food along meandering paths (!) through the garden.
I also see other things work better farther away from the house, like stargazing.
Prager91 schrieb:
ESPECIALLY when you’re older, it’s good to have to walk those extra 20m (about 65 feet)... I really don’t see a problem with that. Says the young guy at 31 (three years younger than me;)). Wait another 30 or 40 years and you’ll see it differently. Voluntary walking when you’re still fit is great. Long walks when you have limited mobility definitely are not.
By the way, with small children long walking distances are highly impractical. With short legs, 20m (about 65 feet) just feels three times as long.
@WilderSueden I have bark mulch around my raised beds and containers. Weed barrier fabric underneath, mulch on top. Lawn edging separating it from the lawn.
On the slope, I made a walking path simply with thick bark mulch, which works, but it mixes with the vegetation at the edges.
On the slope, I made a walking path simply with thick bark mulch, which works, but it mixes with the vegetation at the edges.
F
felicitias_116 May 2022 14:25Regarding paths in the garden:
Apart from the driveway and the terrace, we don’t have any paved, gravel, or crushed stone paths or areas in our 2000 m² (0.5 acre) garden. All the paths are simply short-cut grass. This works well for us, but you shouldn’t be too sensitive if you walk through the garden in the morning dew or during/after rain. Your pant legs will quickly get wet down at the bottom.
Apart from the driveway and the terrace, we don’t have any paved, gravel, or crushed stone paths or areas in our 2000 m² (0.5 acre) garden. All the paths are simply short-cut grass. This works well for us, but you shouldn’t be too sensitive if you walk through the garden in the morning dew or during/after rain. Your pant legs will quickly get wet down at the bottom.
WilderSueden schrieb:
Says the young guy at 31 years old (so 3 years younger than me 😉 ). Wait another 30 or 40 years, then you’ll see it differently. Walking voluntarily when you’re still fit is great. Long walks when you’re not steady on your feet definitely aren’t. By the way, long walking distances with small children are also highly impractical. With their short legs, 20cm (8 inches) can easily feel three times as long.
It seems like everyone argues that you don't build your house for life anyway—so why should you plan everything around that? In 30 to 40 years, it might not matter to me, or I might find a different solution by then. You could also have your garden adjusted accordingly at that point.
I’m generally a fan of planning a lot for the future and really thinking things through... But if something like that is a reason to change your garden plans now, even though you don’t want to at this moment, I’d say: forget it—do what feels right for you right now.
These things only really apply when you’re old and frail and can’t walk far anymore. By then, you’ll probably have other challenges inside the house anyway, beyond carrying dishes outside xD
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