Dear forum members,
We have been living in our new house for three weeks now and feel very comfortable here.
Now the days are getting longer again, and all we see are earth mounds. The driveway has not been done yet either.
We plan to cover the driveway with gravel. The ground underneath has already been compacted. The outlines are set and need to be bordered by a professional.
The boundary around the house will also be made of gravel, about 1 meter wide (3 feet), and will serve as a path.
The garage is already built; the carport is planned on the east side of the house.
Now I would like to gather some ideas. Perhaps some of you have spontaneous suggestions before we finalize our somewhat fixed plans?
-> Wind protection, privacy screening, terrace(s), planting
Attached you will find our 650 sqm (7000 sq ft) plot. North is at the top. Don’t be confused by the dimensions. On the east side, there is about 4.5 meters (15 feet) in width, on the west side about 6 meters (20 feet). On the south side, we have about 13 meters (43 feet).
All marked windows (except those on the north) and the middle one on the east (kitchen) are terrace doors.
We plan several seating areas, for example, a small outdoor sofa and two small granite benches. Of course, there will also be the usual table with six chairs, two loungers, and two metal chairs. We no longer need a children’s swing or similar.
We want a modern feel, but not just boxwood and bamboo. Something a bit more varied is welcome, and I was even thinking about potatoes.
Whether we add a terrace roof depends on the costs; maybe a retractable awning?
I would appreciate it if you could spare a moment to share your thoughts.
We have been living in our new house for three weeks now and feel very comfortable here.
Now the days are getting longer again, and all we see are earth mounds. The driveway has not been done yet either.
We plan to cover the driveway with gravel. The ground underneath has already been compacted. The outlines are set and need to be bordered by a professional.
The boundary around the house will also be made of gravel, about 1 meter wide (3 feet), and will serve as a path.
The garage is already built; the carport is planned on the east side of the house.
Now I would like to gather some ideas. Perhaps some of you have spontaneous suggestions before we finalize our somewhat fixed plans?
-> Wind protection, privacy screening, terrace(s), planting
Attached you will find our 650 sqm (7000 sq ft) plot. North is at the top. Don’t be confused by the dimensions. On the east side, there is about 4.5 meters (15 feet) in width, on the west side about 6 meters (20 feet). On the south side, we have about 13 meters (43 feet).
All marked windows (except those on the north) and the middle one on the east (kitchen) are terrace doors.
We plan several seating areas, for example, a small outdoor sofa and two small granite benches. Of course, there will also be the usual table with six chairs, two loungers, and two metal chairs. We no longer need a children’s swing or similar.
We want a modern feel, but not just boxwood and bamboo. Something a bit more varied is welcome, and I was even thinking about potatoes.
Whether we add a terrace roof depends on the costs; maybe a retractable awning?
I would appreciate it if you could spare a moment to share your thoughts.
Der Da schrieb:
- Cleared 30 planter boxes of weeds, lined them with weed barrier fabric, then filled them with gravel (about 20 wheelbarrow loads)What do you plan to do with the planter boxes filled with gravel?
Today we visited another natural stone supplier to check prices. Afterwards, we went back to the first one and noticed some basalt stones measuring 108 x 20 x 10 cm (43 x 8 x 4 inches) marked as clearance items. We will probably order these for our vegetable beds: 4 pieces arranged in a square, placed vertically, will likely form one vegetable bed. We might order 2 or even 3 sets... We probably won’t reach 80 square meters (860 sq ft) anytime soon.
Then we stopped by the wholesale store since it was on the way: very cheap boxwoods about 40 cm (16 inches) tall with a circumference of roughly 25 cm (10 inches) for just under 8 €, and we bought three. Also picked up a 40 cm (16 inch) diameter ball-shaped boxwood for under 20 €, plus some Mediterranean herbs.
I’ll probably have to start tracking planting costs to keep an overview.
I also want to sod the lawn – but we don’t have one yet.
The planter boxes mark our property boundary because our land is about 1 meter (3 feet) higher than our neighbor’s. They had to be installed to retain the soil.
We filled them with gravel to prevent any plants from growing inside. Otherwise, things can go wrong over time. Our neighbor planted a corkscrew tree, and last summer it tore apart the planters.
It’s also difficult to access them since they are located behind the herb garden.
We filled them with gravel to prevent any plants from growing inside. Otherwise, things can go wrong over time. Our neighbor planted a corkscrew tree, and last summer it tore apart the planters.
It’s also difficult to access them since they are located behind the herb garden.
The plan has not been implemented yet.
You will have a nice covered terrace, which is already included in the planning.
We won’t.
And you can already take the time to note the sun’s position for window and terrace planning...
Our east-facing terrace will probably be only about 5 sqm (54 sq ft) and is intended just for breakfast for two or to rest in the shade in the afternoon when the sun is strong.
Around the house, there will be a gravel border one meter (3 feet) wide, so we can place pots there or use it as a path (if you don’t want to walk on the lawn).
On the weekend, we planted cherry laurel on the west side.
You will have a nice covered terrace, which is already included in the planning.
We won’t.
And you can already take the time to note the sun’s position for window and terrace planning...
Our east-facing terrace will probably be only about 5 sqm (54 sq ft) and is intended just for breakfast for two or to rest in the shade in the afternoon when the sun is strong.
Around the house, there will be a gravel border one meter (3 feet) wide, so we can place pots there or use it as a path (if you don’t want to walk on the lawn).
On the weekend, we planted cherry laurel on the west side.
Well, it doesn’t happen that fast, but at least your house is finished. And it looks really great in the picture.
Exactly my style.
We also want a "mini terrace," but on the north side since the play garden is there. That way, you can comfortably watch the children playing and avoid the sun. However, we’re not sure yet if we should build it directly next to the house in full shade or somehow position it to catch the evening sun?!
But we still have time.
The south terrace, on the other hand, is fixed (it will also be poured with the foundation slab) and will be about the size shown in the picture in my post. Half of it will be covered.
For our pathway, we were thinking of a gravel bed with individual stepping stones on top. We’ve had bad experiences with the “walking over grass” option here (it got completely trampled). Unlike you, we only have a narrow west strip next to the house. That spot always gets all the wear. We’re just gathering ideas for now.
It’s nice that the hedge is in place. That really changes the construction site appearance quite a bit.
Enjoy the gardening!
Exactly my style.
We also want a "mini terrace," but on the north side since the play garden is there. That way, you can comfortably watch the children playing and avoid the sun. However, we’re not sure yet if we should build it directly next to the house in full shade or somehow position it to catch the evening sun?!
But we still have time.
The south terrace, on the other hand, is fixed (it will also be poured with the foundation slab) and will be about the size shown in the picture in my post. Half of it will be covered.
For our pathway, we were thinking of a gravel bed with individual stepping stones on top. We’ve had bad experiences with the “walking over grass” option here (it got completely trampled). Unlike you, we only have a narrow west strip next to the house. That spot always gets all the wear. We’re just gathering ideas for now.
It’s nice that the hedge is in place. That really changes the construction site appearance quite a bit.
Enjoy the gardening!
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