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Long narrow vegetable garden plans


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Small vegetable garden ideas can turn even the tiniest space into a productive patch.  If carefully planned, you can grow all kinds of crops, from tactile herbs, through to root vegetables and fruit trees. These small vegetable garden ideas will help you to transform your plot into a highly productive, small-scale garden.

Whether you are starting from scratch and looking for vegetable garden ideas or just seeking ways to get the most from your plot, these tips and design ideas will give you inspiration for the best layouts as well as the best and easiest vegetables to grow for the highest yields.

Small vegetable garden ideas

Nothing beats the satisfaction of harvesting your first ripe tomato or pulling up your first carrot from the soil – edibles can be grown in the smallest of plots and now is the perfect time to have a go.  

By incorporating a vegetable garden into your small garden ideas, you can increase the productivity of your space while still retaining a characterful and abundant garden scheme.It is also a great way to engage the younger generation when gardening with children. So take advantage of your tiny spaces to grow delicious options that will add a special homegrown flavor to your meals.

1. Opt for a multifunctional greenhouse

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Greenhouse ideas form an essential part of the vegetable garden, letting you start off as many seedlings as your heart desires, without the challenge of predicting the frost or worrying about where they are going to live. The benefits are not just felt at the start of the growing season, either, as even an unheated greenhouse can delay the effects of frost by several weeks, letting you maximise the yield of crops – such as picking fresh tomatoes well into fall.

However, when it comes to planning a greenhouse for your small vegetable garden ideas, you will inevitably be faced with the need for compromise; the most common being between a shed and a greenhouse. Both have benefits but often the necessity of a shed's storage potential will outweigh the botanical benefits of a greenhouse. This does not have to be the case, though. If you’re struggling to choose between a greenhouse and others shed ideas then consider a design that combines both elements. Here, the shed lets you store all your gardening tools out of sight while the adjoining lean-to greenhouse gives you plenty of space to raise your crops, making it a clever, compact solution for more petite spaces.

'In the summer months, a small greenhouse can be used to grow any of the traditional greenhouse plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, or herbs and start off seedlings which you can later transfer outdoors. During colder months, a mini-greenhouse can also be used to plant more temperature-sensitive crops,' explains expert at Hartley Botanic .

Once you've got your greenhouse up and running, discover the best food to grow in a greenhouse to help you on your way.

2.

Make the most of vertical height with hanging baskets

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The best plants for hanging baskets aren't just trailing blooms, in fact hanging baskets can also be used to grow a wide range of vegetables, helping to increase the productivity of your small vegetable garden ideas. 

Taking up no ground space, they provide a versatile growing platform for a wide range of vegetables, working particularly well with cut and come again lettuce, rocket, and spinach as well as being able to be used for growing tomatoes or as herb planter ideas. Since the vegetables are elevated above the ground they are inaccessible to slugs, snails, rabbits and other animals who may decimate your crops when grown at ground level – protecting them from this helps to boost your yields.

3. Grow vegetables over your pergola

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Vertical garden ideas are a great way to go when designing your small vegetable garden ideas. Traditionally rambling roses or the best flowering climbers are the natural choices for training over a pergola, however, you can also use them to support vegetable vines. The best vegetables to pair with your pergola ideas are cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and beans as these require a support system in order to grow.

Growing your crops vertically will not only make the most of the available space but will also help to protect them from slugs and other pests – they are also easier to care for. 'When growing vegetables over a pergola, it is easier to reach the fruit as it grows,' explains Lindsey Hyland, founder of UrbanOrganic Yield . 'You'll also save on your garden's water consumption since the plant's roots are confined to a much smaller surface area.'

If you're wondering how to begin growing vegetables over a pergola, then learning how to grow cucumbers vertically is a great place to start.

4. Grow vegetables in pots

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Shady areas are often a problem in smaller gardens, however, vegetable garden container ideas offer the perfect solution as you can move them to follow the sun throughout the day. This means that you're not just limited to vegetables to grow in shade but in fact can grow a wide array of edibles in your small vegetable garden ideas. 

Gardening expert Carol Klein says: 'There are loads of vegetables you can grow in pots. Absolutely masses of them. All the salad crops you can grow so easily.'

Potted edibles and other container gardening ideas are particularly convenient for small vegetable garden ideas. They are particularly useful for vegetable gardens that  are part of balcony gardens or placed on patio ideas since they don't require borders or raised beds.

Planting a large container with a mix of flowers – particularly flowers that attract bees – and a range of crops, such as different salad leaves and chillies, is both decorative and practical. Regularly harvesting leaves of vegetables, such as chard, and lettuce planted in groups, will avoid crowding. 

5. Embrace grafted fruit trees to maximize space

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You don’t have to have an orchard to be able to grow your own fruit. Dwarf fruit trees are some of the best trees for small gardens and can be planted directly into an ornamental bed, valued for their pretty blossom as well as fruit, and intermingled with roses as ideal companions.

There are plenty of dwarf varieties that will thrive as part of your small vegetable garden ideas or even as part of your container garden. From apples and pears through to cherries and apricots, there are dwarf varieties available for most of the best fruit trees meaning you don't have to miss out despite your small plot.

If you are really short of space however, consider grafted fruit trees. In duo fruit trees, two different trees are grafted onto a single root stock, this means you can have multiple varieties of fruit from one tree. For example, this tree combines apples and pears on a single trunk – talk about making the most of your space! To ensure your new tree has the best start in life be sure you know how to plant a fruit tree.

6.

Grow crops that offer rich rewards

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The trick for a successful small vegetable garden is to grow small amounts of different crops that offer big rewards. Opt for easy bumper crops like cut and come again salad leaves, chilli plants, fresh herbs, leafy greens, and super-sweet peas straight from the pod. 

‘Over the years certain plants and varieties have emerged as front runners in the time/reward ratio,’ says plantswoman Sarah Raven . ‘They’re the ones that are quick and easy to grow, so they will do well even if you don’t have much gardening experience. Whenever I’m asked by new grow-your-owners which plants to go for I say cut-and-come-again leaves every time.’

7. Use trellis for compact small vegetable garden ideas

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A super-smart small vegetable garden idea is to try vegetable garden trellis ideas, to make the most of the space by using vertical surfaces to grow crops up – this is particularly useful if you are looking for ways to incorporate vegetable plants into courtyard garden ideas.

Add in some herbs, which make excellent potted plants and can also be beneficial for companion planting, and you could have all you need to rustle up a delicious homegrown meal at your fingertips.

8. Position a small vegetable garden near the kitchen

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'Most of the plants going into vegetable patches are annuals. They are working with a short timescale and need to grow rapidly. To enable them to put on this performance, they need all the help they can get and plenty of food to fuel this growing process. That's only possible in full sun,' explains expert plantswoman Sarah Raven.

This small vegetable garden idea allows placement of the crops closer to the kitchen for ease of use, and so you can pay close attention to any pests and diseases.

9. Combine small vegetable garden ideas with blooms

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If yours is a small garden, you will want to plan for the best of both worlds, combining small vegetable garden ideas with flower bed ideas. If this is the case, treat your vegetables just as you would other plants, growing three of the same vegetables alongside repeated flower planting to create an impactful, cohesive look. 

10. Build a raised bed vegetable garden

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Raised garden bed ideas are a popular way to grow edibles as part of small vegetable garden ideas.

Wood, brick or sleepers can be used to frame your bed, and there are plenty of kits on the market – or you can follow Monty Don's raised bed tips. Fill your beds with good-quality soil, and then add your fruit or vegetable crops.

You may like to plant in neat rows or decorative patterns for a mini potager effect, mixing in some companion planting. 

Rotating the crops ensures pests and diseases don’t build up, and also makes the nutrients added by one plant available to the subsequent plants. 

11. Look to vertical vegetable garden ideas to save space

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Experiment with climbing crops to make the most of space when you plan a small garden:

Do some research for a system that suits your location, and experiment with which crops work the best. In general, go for reliable choices, such as clumping and running herbs that regenerate after being cut back hard, red perilla, salad leaves, sugar snap peas, edible flowers and strawberries.

TOP TIP: If a wall is in a shady spot, it can also be painted white to reflect light back onto a climber, which will also make a small garden look bigger.

12. Plant a small vegetable garden amongst flowers

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Small vegetable garden ideas require a bit of creative thinking. Mix edibles among your flowerbeds to emulate the traditional potager cottage garden ideas of the past, where flowers, vegetables, herbs and fruit were planted wherever they fitted. 

The vegetable or fruit plants can blend attractively beside other plants. Decorative choices to tuck in for small vegetable garden ideas include frilly lettuces and cabbages, architectural cardoons, runner beans and peas scrambling up tepees, rainbow chard and feathery asparagus and fennel. 

An informal scheme, with scattered edibles, allows for staggered cropping and avoids the situation of feast or famine and patches of empty soil. 

Smaller edibles, such as chives, parsley and ferny-topped carrots, make attractive edging to garden beds. Perennial herbs look good year-round, such as sage and ground-covering thyme with its pretty flowers. 

Adding veg and fruit among your flowerbeds has a further practical advantage of creating a mosaic tapestry of colors and scents that confuses insect pests, making it difficult for them to find the veg or fruit they want to feed on. Flowering herbs will also attract beneficial insects.

WARNING: Be sure, though, to avoid space-loving fruit and vegetable plants that don’t play well with ornamentals, including berries and larger root vegetables like potatoes.

13. Grow for color in a small vegetable garden

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Of course you'll want to grow what you love to eat, what suits your space, its position and soil type, but if you choose to grow crops for color in small vegetable garden ideas, you will be rewarded two-fold with a tasty harvest that looks good while you are growing it. This rhubarb is a case in point.

14. Create a small vegetable garden in a window box

(Image credit: Future / Joanna Henderson)

Window and planter box ideas are most suited to low-growing kitchen garden edibles, such as herbs and salad leaves, and need to suit the conditions that prevail at your window. 

Planting ‘recipes’ to try include a mix of different mints, strawberries interspersed with parsley, or a one-stop salad garden with micro greens, salad leaves, chives, basil and edible flowers.  

15. Grow fruit trees in containers

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It is possible to include a lot of fruit in your small vegetable garden ideas. Most fruit prefers a sunny position, making them ideal when planning roof garden ideas, but if your garden is in semi-shade, many of the choices below will still do well.

These can also be lovely growing in pots in a range of patio ideas, so they are close to hand when you're tempted to pluck a ripe fruit off the bush as you sit outside enjoying your garden.

Gooseberry bushes can be trained against a wall and do well in a large pot or container with regular watering and feeding. They love a sunny spot but will also fruit in shade and need a free-draining moist soil. Prune annually in late autumn or winter.

Strawberries are easy to grow in pots, in the border or hanging baskets. They need rich, fertile soil and a sunny spot. Plant bare-root runners in late spring to early summer. Keep the compost moist and feed when the flowers appear. 

Blueberries need an acid soil to do well so use well-drained ericaceous soil for containers. Don’t let it outgrow the space, and repot into a slightly larger size. Feed with a rhododendron fertilizer and water well. They are self-fertile and you could have a couple in containers that fruit at different times.

Apples can grow in pots. Select ones that have been grafted onto a container rootstock. M27 is the smallest dwarf size and M9 is still dwarfing but more vigorous. You can also espalier as step-overs or against a fence, or plant into a flowerbed. Options include Fiesta, Discovery, Sunset and Falstaff.

Citrus trees, such as lemons and kumquats, can be grown in containers outdoors in summer and over-wintered inside. Mix one part sand or grit to four parts soil potting mix. Use rainwater to water – ideal for sustainable small garden ideas.

What can I put in a small vegetable garden?

In small vegetable garden ideas, it is sensible to plant compact fruit and vegetable varieties that won't take up too much space - many seed and gardening websites list the best compact crops to grow in a restricted space.

Choose vegetable and fruit crops that can be continually harvested, which keeps them producing, rather than ones that are removed completely. Your space needs to be as productive as possible.

How do you start a small vegetable garden for beginners?

It is easy to start a small vegetable garden – there are plenty of small vegetable garden ideas to get your started – and before long you can be enjoying the taste and flavor of your own homegrown crops.

To grow well and be productive, vegetable and fruit plants ideally need: 

How do you lay out a small vegetable garden?

Stagger the planting for small vegetable garden ideas so there is always something to harvest. 

Longer-term crops, such as cabbages and broccoli, can be interplanted with faster-growing options, including cut-and-come-again salad mixes, pea shoots, mizuna, rocket and radishes, which are ready to eat from about six weeks from seed.  

Many crops can be continually picked, including cherry tomatoes, chillies, chard, beans and snow peas. 

For north-facing or spaces with less sunlight like some narrow, long gardens, try shade-tolerant edibles, such as spinach, chard, kale, rocket, sorrel, Asian and salad leaves, Alpine strawberries, rhubarb, currants, mint, bay, coriander, chives, parsley, chamomile and tarragon. 

Also take into account when to plant vegetables as well as where to place them, this will help you to design your small vegetable garden.

What vegetables can you grow in a small space?

There are many crops you can consider when planning small vegetable garden ideas, but here are some of the best crops for small spaces:

SALAD LEAVES AND LETTUCES are easy to grow, great for beginners and definitely taste better picked fresh. Cut-and-come-again leaves will give you a selection for weeks, months even, and by sowing a succession you can enjoy them through the year.

BEANS, including dwarf varieties, are one of the easiest vegetables to grow. They need full sun, good drainage and are frost sensitive, so plant after frosts have passed. Choose a pot at least 16 inches in diameter, and make a tripod using three sticks tied together.

KALE lasts well into winter. Just a few plants are enough to keep you in supply for nearly the whole year. They are frost hardy – in fact a light frost improves the flavor, making leaves that may have become bitter at the end of summer, sweeter.

BEETROOT seeds are a cluster of four or five separate seeds, so planting a single seed in a 5-liter pot can yield a number of plants – ideal for small vegetable garden ideas. Look for smaller baby beets for growing in containers. Grow in full sun, although they can survive some shade. 

CHARD is very productive as well as stunning to look at, and the leaves are cut-and-come-again so won’t leave holes in your ornamental planting.  

TOMATOES, especially the mini varieties, grow well in pots, grow bags and hanging baskets. Plant young plants in May, water evenly and feed with a tomato fertilizer for continuing cropping, and consider the best crops for tomato companion planting.

CURRANTS are space saving trained on walls, or can also be grown in containers. They prefer well-drained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun, but tolerate part shade. Water well in dry periods, prune when dormant and harvest them in clusters.  

This feature was created by H&G's sister brand, Period Living magazine

Subscribe to Period Living for more inspiration Period Living is the UK's best-selling period homes magazine. A subscription provides you with all you need to know about caring for and improving a traditional house and garden.

Leigh Clapp is a professional photographer with over 25 years experience, primarily as a garden specialist photojournalist but also with food and travel.  She delights in exploring gardens, discovering the tiny elements to their overall essence and meeting lots of enthusiastic gardeners along the way. Leigh’s work appears in magazines, newspapers and books, both in the UK and abroad, including Period Living, Country Life, and Gardens Illustrated; as well as being sole photographer for a number of books, including Garden Details, Feng Shui in the Garden, Vertical Gardens and From the Garden – fresh seasonal cooking.

Small Vegetable Garden? Try These Layout Ideas

So you’ve been bit by the gardening bug, but you have a tiny plot. Don’t worry — even a small garden can yield big harvests. Before you start planting, though, think carefully about your garden’s layout. A well-designed space is critical in a small garden. To get you started, visit some of the sites below for helpful advice on small garden design:

Vegetable Garden Plans from Better Homes and Gardens offers 14 vegetable garden designs, ranging from a child’s garden to an Italian garden. Most plans are for gardens 7 feet by 7 feet or smaller.

Small Gardens from Garden Design offers a look at the renovation of chef James Beard’s New York City garden. Read about the winners of the 2011 Greenest Block in Brooklyn for other great small garden ideas.

Plan Your Garden Layout from the University of Illinois Extension. Here you’ll find expert advice on deciding on a garden size and selecting the appropriate crops.

Block Style Layout in Raised Vegetable Garden from the Colorado State University Extension. Visit this site for true inspiration. Neat rows of red leaf lettuce are nestled against spinach and Swiss chard, eking every last inch of space from the raised bed and managing to look gorgeous at the same time!

Short on Space? Grow Veggies Anyway! From Sunset Magazine. Go here to learn more about raised beds, container gardens and creative solutions.

Small Vegetable Garden Design from Garden Guides. Visit Garden Guides for a basic overview of small garden design.

Think vertical. You’ve probably grown peas or beans on trellises, but what about other crops? A trellis or pole takes up less space than a tomato cage and keeps the unruly plants tidy. Cucumbers are healthier and easier to harvest when grown on a trellis or fence. In both cases, gently secure the vines with a strip of fabric. Larger cucurbits like summer squash and zucchini can be trellised as well, but pick the fruits when they’re small. Otherwise, they’ll tear away from the plants, causing damage.

Choose compact varieties. Seed producers understand that gardeners have limited space. To solve this problem, they’ve developed compact bush varieties for almost any crop you want to grow. Try bush varieties of cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini and summer squash—the biggest space hogs in your garden.

Grow some container crops. If your gardening ambitions are bigger than the space in your vegetable garden, plant a few crops in containers. Almost any crop can be grown in a container, but compact bush varieties do best. Try tomatoes, peppers, bush beans, lettuce or broccoli. Moisture and nutrients leach more quickly from containers so water them frequently and fertilize every other week with a balanced fertilizer.

Use raised beds. Not only do raised beds stay neat and tidy, but you can grow plants more closely together because the soil is rich and fertile. Even two or three raised beds can yield enough produce for a family of four. Make the beds no more than 3 feet wide so you can reach into them without stepping on the soil. Leave paths at least 18 inches wide between each bed.

Try succession planting. Succession plantings stretch your vegetable garden’s harvest well beyond the typical July to September time frame and you can grow two or three times the produce in the same amount of space. Succession planting is the practice of planting new crops as the previous ones are waning. For example, plant radishes or lettuce in early spring. Then, pop a few summer squash seeds in the soil in early summer, just before you harvest the lettuce and radishes. Then, at the end of the summer, plant some spinach and lettuce in the same spot for a fall crop. The mature plants help keep weeds down and also shade the soil so it stays a bit moister. One note of caution: growing so many plants in the same spot year after year can deplete the soil. Rebuild it annually with plenty of compost and manure.

While you might not grow enough produce to put away for the winter, small gardens have many benefits over large plots. For one thing, they are a breeze to take care of. You’ll spend less than an hour a week keeping your garden in tip-top shape, and you’ll still have room in the yard for a perennial garden or a quiet sitting area.

Other Small Vegetable Garden Ideas and Resources:

Small Plot Vegetable Gardening from the Iowa State University Extension

Small Garden Spaces from Washington State University Extension

This YouTube video covers how to grow vegetables efficiently in a small space.

Design of a narrow plot, zoning and decoration

How often suburban land plots are a narrow strip of land on which, it would seem, there is nowhere to turn around. And indeed, the design of the elongated section will become a big problem.

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But still, it is not worth considering such a layout as absolutely lost, since even for a catastrophically disproportionately long site there is an original arrangement plan. What can and should be done to make an unsightly acquisition a real cozy country estate?

Do you think it makes no sense to look for positive things in an elongated plot of land? Wrong! Zoning a narrow area can be quite interesting. Oddly enough, it sounds, but its rectangular area will be very easy to divide into functional pieces, each of which will find a worthy use. Design options for a narrow area using vines will greatly delight lovers of viticulture. In an inconvenient area, it will even be possible to carve out a corner for a vegetable garden, and in such a way that it does not spoil the overall impression of the design of a long section.

Rectangular plot can be easily divided into functional zones

But what you can't do on your lawful ares is to build a house of the desired layout and enclose the territory with a high fence. The desire to retire will have to be realized in a different way, because a high fence will simply prevent the penetration of light, and plants cannot survive in a deep shade.

In the landscaping of the elongated area, it will not be possible to plan the planting of tall trees. They will "steal" space and give too much shadow. It will also be problematic to solve the issue of sound insulation, especially if the site is located near a busy highway or entertainment venue.

Narrow section design

And one more thing. It is better to involve professionals in planning the zoning of a narrow area, which will require additional costs. The last condition is optional. So if there are no extra funds, and the desire to quickly improve the allotment rolls over, try to do it yourself, based on professional recommendations.

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What should be the zoning of a narrow area

There will be nowhere to show off in small areas, so you will have to choose the most relevant solutions for yourself, but on a large area you can equip quite a lot of useful islands. Their planning must include:

What are these areas and what is their function?

Representative area

“According to the laws of the design of a narrow area, the area of ​​​​the lawn, equipped in a representative area, should be equal to 1/3 of the area of ​​the house”

A place is allocated for it at the entrance to the house. Sometimes this part, when making a narrow section, is called the front. In this part, it is customary to break up the lawn and surround it with alpine slides, flower beds, and low-growing landscape groups. Beautifully flowering and highly ornamental plants are planted here, amenable to topiary haircut. According to the laws of the design of a narrow area, the area of ​​​​the lawn, equipped in a representative area, should be equal to 1/3 of the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe house. It is desirable to make it asymmetrical.

Narrow Lot Representative Area

If the lot is fairly large, a car park and a small buffer zone should be built in the same part if possible.

Parking for a car in a narrow area

Important! The parking lot in the buffer zone design of the long section should not be located in the central segments.

Private zone

It begins immediately after the representative part and is separated from it by any of the following structures:

When designing a narrow area, it is important that the dividing elements do not have a large height, and the plants involved in their creation give rise to a feeling of airiness and delicacy of the fence. It will be great if the liana-like ones wrapping around the fence throw out blue, white or pale pink flowers.

Allocation of a private zone

What exactly can be arranged in a private zone? It depends entirely on its size. In the case of the design of a narrow area, a gazebo can be placed here. A green terrace or something else from this series is being equipped here.

A small gazebo for a narrow area

Specialized area

In this part, any buildings can be erected, as well as practical utility zones, for example, a platform for drying clothes. It is important that this territory, when zoning a narrow section, is located so that it is not visible, if not from all sides, then at least from the recreation area. This gives rise to the need for the same separation of it from the rest of the parts with a living or artificial hedge.

Practical utility zone

Buffer zone

Its place is in the design of spacious elongated areas just outside the gates. It makes sense to put counters here in order not to let strangers into private territory. On the issue of separating the buffer zone, you can not be shy. On its border with the representative part, tall shrubs with dense crowns should be planted. Reliable protection from prying eyes will be given by densely planted thujas of the "Smaragd" type. It is not forbidden to install a brick wall in the design of an elongated section, but if it obscures the main space, then it is better to replace it with a mesh fence.

Narrow section with buffer zone

Optional zones

1.​ Sports ground. Under it, a place is standardly allocated at the boundary of a specialized area and a recreation area.

2. Playground. In the design of a long section, it is always adjacent to the recreation area and practically does not separate from it, as it should be clearly visible.

Playground next to the recreation area

3. Vegetable garden. If such a part is provided for in the plan, then it is unambiguously taken out of the specialized zone.


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How to adjust the space

This is the next question that comes up after drawing up a zoning plan for a narrow area. There are a lot of visual correction methods. Which of them is rational to use in our case?

First of all, try to use every inch of space, including seemingly non-functional nooks and crannies. The main thing is not to repeat the chronic design mistakes of a narrow section. For example, do not plant tall trees around the perimeter. Their height will only exacerbate the situation and present the territory even more elongated and disproportionate than it really is.

Do not plant tall trees around the perimeter of the plot

Planting this type of vegetation at the very end of the territory, along the short side, will give the right effect. At the same time, bring low-growing subspecies of shrubs and fruit-bearing trees to the fore in the design of a long section. This is a great way to make the space look wider and give it a domesticated and lived-in look.

Low-growing shrubs will make the plot wider

You can not strive to maintain the visual integrity of the allotment. A torn picture will also distract from the shortcomings of the land planning. In the design of an elongated site, follow a policy of clear zonal division of areas with an underlined selection of the boundaries of functional parts. To do this, boldly involve in the project all kinds of architectural forms, from symbolic fences to luxurious pergolas and arches. These elements will help to shade the real boundaries of the object.

Highlighting the boundaries of functional parts

Experts also recommend trying to zone a narrow area in another way. Divide it into several parts in order to subsequently fill them with sand, pebbles or sow grass. This approach is justified if the zones are not planned to be separated by blind fences and the entire territory remains visible.

Geometrically clear lines cannot be used in the design of a narrow area. This means that alleys and paths need to be made cunningly winding, arbitrarily meandering among the trees. If the paths are planned to be tiled, then lay it with some kind of pattern, perhaps even ornamental.

Smooth lines will visually expand the boundaries of the site

Similar tactics should be followed when designing flowerbeds in a narrow area. Flower beds are also given irregular shapes. In this case, the courtyard area seems wider, the garden - more voluminous.

An excellent counterbalance to the elongated shape of the allotment will be green spaces with spherical crowns.

A painful issue in the design of a long section is the fence. If it is unrealistic to completely abandon it, then make it low, ideally multi-level and multi-colored. Undersized weaving plantings can act as an additional decor.

Decorate the fence with climbing plants

In the struggle for the expansion of the site, it is permissible to use transverse lines. They can be depicted by borders, flower beds, a strip of green hedges.

The transverse design will bring balance to the perception of an elongated territory.

Transverse zoning brings balance

Bringing remote areas closer

If you got a plot that was not virgin, but was already inhabited by someone, then it is possible that for a successful design of a narrow area, you will also need to use methods of visual approximation / removal of objects. For example, at the end of the garden there is a tall beautiful tree, which is extremely pitiful to cut. Put it to practical use. Plant another one diagonally from it, but only a smaller tree. Such a step will visually shorten the space. A good way to bring the remote part of the squares closer is to provide a small gazebo in the design of the elongated area, which, surrounded by flowers, will spread out in the backyards. If you don’t want to build a gazebo, put a fountain there or build a multi-tiered flower bed.

The gazebo will bring the remote part of the plot closer

When designing a narrow plot, it will be necessary to focus on at least three objects. It can be: garden sculptures, decorative arches, secret gates. The background of the territory is bright and colorful, while everything near the entrance should look restrained. A cold palette is more appropriate here.

Bright flowers will visually expand the area

Green spaces are actively involved in the corrective design of the shape of a narrow area. So, for the visual expansion of the area in the garden part, tree-like plants with large, bright yellow leaves or plants blooming in yellow-orange are planted.

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Stylistics in the design of a narrow area

Minimalism

This is the best design option for not just elongated, but also limited in area allotments. A characteristic feature of the style is the use of a minimum number of elements in landscape design. The territory looks concise. Mirrors, voluminous mounds, wire installations take part in the design of the long section. All this is complemented by a characteristic backlight.

Clean, minimalist design

The style palette is monochrome, so the leading role in the decor is given to the format and texture of the elements.

Hi-tech

Style pleases with an abundance of non-standard solutions. In the design of the elongated section, combinations of designs from unusual firms, assembled from glass and metal, will appear.

Hi-tech site design

Oriental style

Its romanticism and brightness will attract fans of accent landscapes. In the design of narrow sections, a lot of memorable original details are used. What is only a rock garden worth! The oriental decor of the landscape is smooth lines, rounded ponds, fountain complexes and waterfalls. The vegetation habitual for the climate is diluted with the exotic nature of the Chinese and Japanese flora.

Narrow lot design in colorful oriental style

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Narrow lot design house

Residential building is the leading element of any landscape. If the construction of this object is yet to be, then it is necessary to design its location so that the end walls are oriented to the east and west. With this placement, the living space will not be deprived of sunlight. Traditionally, the house is given a rectangular shape, but keeping in mind the design features of the long section, it can be made polygonal, oval or round. How to be a structure - largely depends on the features of the relief of the site and its geographical orientation.

The shape of the house depends on the relief of the site

If there is very little space, and you don’t want to put the building along the entire length, think about building a two-story housing, or at least a house with an attic.

But let's get back to the rectangular projects of houses, which are also designed in unusual solutions for the design of an elongated plot. These can be buildings designed for the entire length of the site, access to the territory of which can be done directly from the rooms.

Full length house

A wagon-type house with rooms stretching one after another is not so cozy, but it can also become an excellent seasonal haven.

It is important not to make rectangular houses when designing a narrow area of ​​small width. Living in them will be completely uncomfortable. The minimum indicator of this parameter is 6 meters.

If the site is located in a noisy place, then the gable of the house should not be taken out to the street. It is better to hide the building opposite somewhere in the depths of the garden so that extraneous sounds do not annoy.

House in the back of the garden will keep out extraneous noise

Be sure to coordinate the design of the long plot in your gardening. Perhaps, in addition to the general building rules, you will find individual developments on this issue. It is better to immediately clarify all the nuances, including the option of finishing the facade, rather than redo everything later.

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Multi-level design of an elongated section

A very successful solution for designing the landscape of a narrow allotment will be a stepped version. The location of landscape objects at different heights will help visually expand the boundaries of the territory. It is quite difficult and financially expensive to implement such a project, but the result is guaranteed to please. The number of levels is calculated based on the dimensions of the site and its angle of inclination. Provided that the terrain allows, either the central or the most remote part of the area should be raised. But still, in the design of a narrow section, it is better to raise its center higher. With this step, you will achieve a restriction of the view of the remaining areas, and their length will no longer seem so inadequate.

Step design of a narrow area

When creating levels, you should calculate everything so that each step looks like an independent unit. Such zoning of a narrow section is more than justified. On the upper platform it will be possible to organize a recreation area. In this case, rockeries are made on the underlying steps or flower beds are laid out.

Organization of a recreation area on a hill in the center of the site

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Decorative elements on a narrow site

“An unusual lawn imitating a wild lawn will be a good technique for decorating a narrow area”

The finishing touch in the design of a narrow area will be its decoration. Everything is acceptable: homemade lamps, interesting sculptural compositions, original flowerpots. Absolutely attract attention and distract from the disproportion of the territory - artificial ponds. It is clear that their sizes will be very modest, but this minuscule amount is quite enough. Reflected, even in a tiny mirror surface of the water, the garden will definitely seem larger.

Artificial ponds will distract from the disproportion

In the design of a pond in a narrow area, coastal decor should be provided. Sculptures of a heron, frogs, a family of snails or ladybugs will help to revive the shore of a garden pond. They don't have to be stone. Quite enough polystone analogues. They will live in your garden for more than one season. Try not to turn the coastal area into a zoo. Nobody canceled the sense of proportion.

A good technique for decorating a narrow area will be the organization of an unusual lawn that imitates a wild lawn. Its area is sown with a mixture of grasses. Flax and daisies, daisies and red clover, all kinds of poppies and cornflowers can grow here at the same time. Multi-colored meadows exuding a stunning aroma will not need to be weeded or mowed. When sowing a lawn, keep in mind that large patches of color look much more effective in the design of a long plot than a motley mixture of shades, and a duet of red and green always looks amazing.

Moorish lawn imitating a wild lawn

Although the garden on a narrow plot is not large, it will surely find a place for a cozy wicker chair and a small table. Give preference to bright furniture, clearly visible surrounded by greenery.

Opt for bright garden furniture

Unusual garden accessories, combined with the latest ideas for designing a narrow area, will turn the narrow area into a luxurious area that will be a real pleasure to be in.

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Conclusion

The design of an elongated area is certainly full of difficulties that are not present in the case of standard spaces. The main emphasis in working with such territories should be on the visual correction of their shape. There are a lot of tricks to do this, so look for the right ones, add your fantasies and implement the ideas produced. Create the garden of your dreams!

Photo gallery - design of a narrow section

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Author: Mikhail Bond

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photos of options for arranging the territory with a house, tips on the location and design of zones

When buying a plot for construction, usually choose plots of the correct form.
When there is no choice, for example, the allotment was inherited, one has to be content with what is.

Owners often give up and abandon such territories, but in vain. Even if you got a narrow section - this is not a reason to be upset.

Such a territory can be properly equipped if you approach the work responsibly, study the norms and requirements for construction, develop a plan for the house and choose the layout of the household plot.

Which memory is considered such?

According to the regulations, a section is considered narrow, the width of which varies from 8 to 20 meters. Take at least a territory of 6 acres: its normal usual size is 20x30 meters, but 10x60, 12x40 meters are the same 6 acres, but narrow and elongated. Other variations in the ratio of the length and width of the territory are also possible.

The cover can be positioned longitudinally or transversely. If everything is more or less clear with the usual dimensions, then not everyone knows how to build in a narrow area.

Requirements for parameters

The parameters of land plots are regulated both at the federal and municipal levels. Federal acts are :

  1. Land Code of the Russian Federation.
  2. SNiPs.
  3. Town Planning Code of the Russian Federation.
  4. Federal Law No. 123 "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety Requirements".

The Land Code indicates that the maximum size of a plot is set in accordance with the town planning regulations.

Each region has its own standards for the size of land plots, the average is 50 acres. As for the minimum dimensions, they should be :

  • for construction: width - from 8 meters, total size - 300 square meters. m.
  • for housekeeping: width - from 12 meters, total size - 500 sq.m.

When planning to build a residential building on such a site, it must be remembered that, regardless of the width and length of the territory, it is necessary to follow the established standards. This is regulated :

  • SP 42.13330.2016;
  • SP 53.13330.2011;
  • SP 30-102-99.

SNiP 30-02-97 is the normative document regulating the location of buildings on the territory. Clause 5.3.2 states that the minimum distance from a residential building to the street line is 5 meters, utility buildings should be located at a similar distance from the red line of the streets.

Advantages of elongated chargers

Despite the apparent problem, narrow, elongated sections have a number of undeniable advantages :


  • Affordable cost. The price of "wrong" plots is usually several times cheaper than the cost of ordinary land of the same area.
  • Possibility to zone the space. With the help of a specialist, you can visually divide the territory into zones.
  • With proper planning, it will be possible to use the entire available area.
  • Opportunity to start a mini garden. Even a small area can be designed so that the garden will not be conspicuous.

Especially in narrow areas, lovers of various vines and vineyards can “accelerate”. These plants are simply indispensable in decorating such areas.

Disadvantages

If we talk about disadvantages, such allotments, of course, have them, among them :

  • Impossibility to build a dream house. The narrow dimensions of the site do not always allow you to build exactly the house that you wanted.
  • Absence of tall trees. In narrow areas, regardless of their length, large trees will have to be abandoned, since their crown will obscure the area and visually reduce it even less.
  • Inability to fence off neighbors and the road. It is not recommended to install a blind fence around the perimeter of a narrow area.
  • Additional set-up costs. Narrow areas are considered difficult to work with. Without skills or special education, it is unlikely that it will be possible to ennoble the territory. Therefore, you will have to hire professional landscape designers.

Special rules for small plots

For Russians, a miniature plot, by local standards, becomes a cause for grief. Meanwhile, in European countries, the opposite situation is observed, and compact land plots are the norm. The zealous inhabitants of France, Belgium and the Netherlands have learned to equip the available space with maximum benefit.


European scale Source engineeringdiscoveries.com

Small areas are decorated with techniques that help change the perspective and visual perception of space. In addition to them, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of comparability of sizes, which in practice have the following form:

  • The design of the plot on 3 acres provides for an even distribution of buildings and plantings, while crowding should not be allowed. It is important that the buildings are not massive, and that the individual details of the landscape are coordinated with each other; otherwise, a feeling of crowding cannot be avoided. For a gazebo, you can find a place in a secluded corner, near a hedge; put a bathhouse or barn on the edge of the territory.


Decorating the front garden in front of the house Source i.pinimg.com
  • Our reality is such that it is difficult to imagine a private area without a high reliable fence. If you surround a small plot of land with a monumental blank fence, you can get the feeling of life in a box. If possible, a blank fence is replaced with a picket fence, chain-link or any openwork fence. To maintain privacy, plants are planted around the perimeter of the fence.


Flowers along the perimeter of the fence Source livingcolourgardens.co.uk
  • For a small garden, choose undersized plants with a small crown and root system that are not able to absorb space as adults. Trees are planted compactly, in a separate zone; shrubs can be planted in two or three groups. To save land, gardeners advise planting several varieties of fruit trees on one trunk. A good result is the combination of several varieties of apple trees, apple trees with cherries and cherries, plums and cherries.


In the backyard Source domnomore.com


You can only guess about the boundaries Source remstroiblog.ru
See also: Directory of companies that specialize in landscape design and gardening.

What zones should be in the territory?

When planning the zoning of non-standard personal plots, you need to know the basic rule - the division of the territory should be carried out across . As for the number of zones, their number can reach 6 separate spaces, depending on the length of the territory.

Representational

Another name for it is the parade zone. It is located near the main entrance to a residential building. can be placed in this area:

  1. alpine slides;
  2. break flower beds.

When using turf, it is recommended to choose asymmetrical varieties. In the same space, you can allocate a place for a car, but it should be located to the side, but in no case in the middle of the zone.

Buffer

Located right at the entrance to the territory. The arrangement of this zone is not necessary , but if the size of the allotment allows and the owner has a car, it is better to organize it.

You can separate the buffer space from the front one with the help of tall dense bushes, plant arborvitae. Another option is to lay out a decorative brick wall, but you need to understand that it can obscure the space.

Private

This is the so-called recreation area, a place where you can retire from noise . To separate it, you can use trellises, pergolas, or you can build a backstage. The space of the private zone can be ennobled with vines, climbing plants. In the center of the zone, you can put a gazebo, equip a green office, or just hang a hammock.

Specialized

This area is intended for household needs. There you can place change houses, a place for drying clothes. If you wish, you can arrange everything beautifully, or you can simply pull on the clothesline, hiding them from prying eyes with backstage, tall bushes.

Free access to the designated area must be arranged.

Extra

Extra zone can be built on long stretches.

It may include :

  1. sports ground;
  2. playground;
  3. garden.

When equipping a playground, it is not recommended to close it from the front and recreation area, as adults should watch the children playing in the additional area.

Some lovers of country life set up a small garden on their plots in the additional zone. This site should be located near a specialized zone.

Rules and regulations for the location of buildings

Before building a house, you must first familiarize yourself with the rules and SNiPs that regulate the rules for the location of buildings on a specific site.

Residential building

When building a residential building , you need to know that :

  • the minimum distance from the building to the neighbor's fence is 3 meters;
  • distance from the house to the red line of the street - 5 meters;
  • minimum distance from the house to the road - 3 meters;
  • roofing on the roof of the house must be arranged in such a way that water and snow do not fall into the neighbor's territory when leaving.

Garage

Garage is considered to be an outbuilding, therefore it is subject to requirements similar to all outbuildings , namely:

  • The minimum distance from the boundary is 1 meter;
  • The distance from your neighbor's house to your garage is 6 meters.

The garage must be located in such a place that snow and water from its roof do not fall into the adjacent area.

Detailed information about the construction of garages here.

Sauna


Like any outbuilding, sauna must meet certain requirements :
  • minimum distance from the road line - 5 meters;
  • distance from neighbor's house - 6 meters;
  • boundary distance - 1 meter.

The bathhouse should be located in such a way that snow slopes from the roof do not fall into the neighboring territory.

All the details of the construction of the bath information here.

Outbuildings

According to the recommendations, it is better to build outbuildings in the depth of the site, the minimum distance from the roadway is 5 meters .

There are no special restrictions on the location of buildings on its territory. If you plan to build a facility for keeping animals, then there are certain nuances. In particular, the minimum height of such a structure is 2.5 meters, and the distance to a residential building is 5 meters.

Everything you need to know about the construction of outbuildings is here.

Layout plans for designing narrow buildings

Standard designs are fairly easy to adapt to a particular site. These can be projects of narrow one-story houses or two-story houses with an attic. In a house for a narrow plot, it is necessary to properly insulate due to the lower energy efficiency of such a building, unlike conventional houses with square shapes.


One-storey house project for narrow plots Source yandex.md

A kitchen or living room would be better located at the end of the building, and the second floor would be suitable for a bedroom. Finished projects are created taking into account the location of engineering communications and the possibility of heavy equipment access.


Design and planning of a two-story narrow house with a non-residential attic Source centermira. ru


Planning of a narrow house with a residential attic Source opsar.ru0026 Tips for visual correction tools

While it is rather problematic to expand the boundaries of a narrow personal plot in practice, it can be done visually if you make some effort. There are several tricks that can visually expand the territory:

  1. Planting trees of different sizes. Moreover, they need to be planted in a certain way: high varieties are planted at the end of the plot, and dwarf ones at the beginning.
  2. At the end of the garden, plant large-scale plants, creepers, flowers weaving along the arches.
  3. Focus on a bright object located deep in the territory. For example, put a gazebo and break bright flower beds around it.
  4. Lay garden paths along undersized plantings.
  5. Plant medium-sized flowering plants of cold shades along the fence.
  6. Do not plant tall trees around the perimeter, including fruit trees.

In addition, for the visual expansion of the allotment, you can use a variety of decorative elements and a multi-level landscape device.

Multi-level design


If the site is uneven, inclined, then organizing such a design will cost less. If the area is flat, then levels will have to be created artificially.
It is best to raise the center section of the section. But if the buildings do not allow, then you can raise the far part of the allotment. With the elevation of the central part, it will be possible to visually hide the far part of the territory.

The resulting territories are recommended to be arranged in the form of terraces. If everything is done correctly, the integrity of the site will be violated, and the territory will not seem long. Additionally, the descent from the elevated area can be equipped with a path with steps.

On an elevated area, you can equip a recreation area, or you can break an alpine slide.

Another option for arranging a multi-level design is planting plants of contrasting length. Additionally, you can make a mound of soil. Vertical landscaping visually expands the space. To create green walls, you can use arches, lattices, pergolas.

Decorative items

Decorative items can significantly transform any garden plot. However, certain decoration methods are suitable for different areas. Recommended for extended areas :

  1. Hedges. Great for delimiting zones, visually expanding the territory.
  2. Floral borders. With their help, you can ennoble the paths. Flower borders should have smooth outlines, plants of different sizes should harmoniously fit into the overall picture. For such flower beds it is best to use chrysanthemums, irises, varieties of cereals:
  3. Pergola. The arrangement of this element will not only introduce an element of decor, but also divides the territory into zones. Pergola is good because it can be made in any shape and from any material.
  4. Embossed flower beds. With their help, a narrow area can be visually expanded. Such flower beds are good because they are easy to break, easy to care for. You can plant low shrubs, perennial flowers in such flower beds.
  5. Mixborders. They are rectangular flower beds. They can be arranged both on the border of the allotment, and along the paths. The peculiarity of mixborders is that plants are collected in one flower bed, different in colors, sizes and flowering time. That is, such a flower bed will delight the owner with its flowering from spring to late autumn.

Plants are not the only decorative elements.

You can use in the decoration:

  • decorative lamps;
  • vases;
  • furniture;
  • sculptures;
  • artificial reservoirs and others.

It is necessary to choose the right size and color scheme for decor items.

Interesting solutions for small areas

There are many interesting solutions that can not only expand the space, but give it a unique and well-groomed look, which, in fact, is what most owners want. Landscaping on 2 acres will only benefit from the use of the following ideas:

  • Dwarf conifers. Conifers are popular with many, but are avoided in small areas for fear of overgrowth. Tall species can be replaced with compact dwarf varieties of pine, fir, larch; exact copies of ordinary breeds. Due to the fact that the height of such species is on average 0.5-1.5 m, they are used in a variety of ways: they are planted singly and in groups at the entrance to the house, in mixed flower beds, in containers on the terrace, next to the gazebo.


Dwarf conifers Source stroykadoma.org
  • Plants on the roof. A lush flower garden or lawn on the roof is a fashionable eco-trend. It looks original, saves land, protects the roof and serves as an additional heat insulator. There is only one limitation for a green roof: not every roof can support the additional weight of plants and soil.


Bulbous in combination with lawn grass Source i0.wp.com
  • Useful flower beds. We are talking about a fashion trend - the organization of an appetizing flower bed of herbs, herbs and vegetables. The design of the flower bed (and the entire plot) uses curly varieties of parsley, sage, basil, ornamental varieties of cabbage, onions and green salads. Separately, you can break a flower bed with medicinal herbs.


Decorative cabbage Source www.beeyoutifullife.com


Idyll of order Source decorapatio.com

Style tips reload. Therefore, it is recommended to resort to the help of specialists.

When choosing a design for such an area, it is recommended to choose discreet styles, in which there are no heaps of decorative elements.

Minimalism

The style is simple and concise. A feature of minimalism is geometrically correct forms. In the design, you can use wire installations, mirrors. The main color is green. It is complemented by light shades: white, beige, light pink, gray. You can make a bright color accent, but the main thing is not to overdo it.

Using this style, it is difficult to visually expand the space. Despite this, minimalism is often used in the beautification of suburban areas.

Japanese style

The essence of this style is asymmetry. For the visual expansion of a narrow area, the Japanese style is most suitable. A Japanese-style garden is necessarily stones, plants, water. The problem of water can be solved by arranging an imitation stream. This will require only gravel and pebbles.

As for plants, there must be a lot of them and they must be everywhere. The asymmetry of the Japanese style means that both low-grade plants and high-grade flowers and shrubs can be planted in the neighborhood.

Eco-style

Its feature is naturalness. An eco-style garden should seem like a space untouched by man. Depending on the climatic conditions, almost any eco-style idea can be realized.

It is almost impossible to arrange the territory in an eco-style by yourself, since you need to know exactly which plants in the wild can grow together and which cannot. When arranging gazebos, benches, paths, it must be remembered that they must all be made of natural materials.

Alpine style

This option is perfect for areas with uneven terrain. The emphasis in the Alpine style is on the stones. Paths are laid out of this material and gazebos are being built. It is better to combine shrubs and low coniferous trees with stones. There should be few flowers.

The advantage of the Alpine style is that the maintenance of the site, made in this style, is minimal.

Country

Rustic decor is very popular among lovers of country living. The characteristic features of the country style are simplicity, lightness, some randomness. Rustic style involves the use of wooden furniture, wicker baskets and similar decor items. Clay pots and a variety of figurines fit perfectly into the country.

For lovers of vegetable gardens, rustic style is an outlet. The style suggests the presence of fruit trees and vegetable beds. Even flower beds can be broken not flower, but vegetable. Well fit into the design of the beds with spicy and medicinal plants.

When it comes to flowers, you don't have to give them up. It’s just that they don’t need to allocate separate flower beds, you can plant flowering plants in free space.

If the site is very long, then you can walk around and look at other styles, such as high-tech, Mediterranean, exotic.

What is taken into account in the project

The territory is planned taking into account the wishes of all family members, this helps to manage every square meter wisely. First of all, functional zones are distinguished. Someone cannot imagine life without a garden, and someone will need a comfortable seating area with a gazebo and barbecue facilities. For younger family members, a safe place to play should be provided.


Small pond near the recreation area Source i.pinimg.com

Once the position and size of the functional areas is determined, it becomes clear how much space will be left for trees, flower beds and garden decorations. In addition to the main elements in the layout of the site on 2 or 3 acres, other features of the territory are taken into account, including:

  • Outbuildings. For a barn, a dog house and parking under a canopy, it is important to determine the most convenient place. The same applies to the septic tank, without which comfort outside the city is unimaginable.


How to beat a barn Source zpravda.ru