Acreage garden design ideas

9 years ago

We have bought a 2.5 acre flat block in country SA - hot summers, cold winters, relatively low rainfall. Currently we are working on a house plan, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with the blank canvas I have to design my garden (I know, it's a great problem to have!!). Looking to incorporate lots of native trees on the borders of the block, vege gardens, chooks, and possibly a pool!
Are there any design resources out there that I can play with in order to narrow my ideas to realistic concepts that may actually work?!!! Love the photos I'm finding on Houzz, but needing something more concrete than amazing photos!
Thanks

Featured Answer

oklouise

7 years ago

having done the same thing many years ago i can make the following suggestions: ...have a good all weather drive and parking area for a crowd of house builders and visitors before the house is built, plan for a fenced off dam to attract wildlife that can be viewed from the house, if you have any slopes reseach "haha" for dividing areas, your local council or Agricultural dept should be able to advise plants native to the area, concentrate on trees and big shrubs (planted in groups and heavily mulched) before you worry about garden beds, invest in perfect planting holes with plastic tree guards and an irrigation system (even a plastic bottle of water upside down next to the new planting will help) invest in some basic fencing tools and start dividing the property into separate areas for specific purpose, starting with a house paddock small enough to mow with a domestic mower, keep the majority of trees and big shrubs outside the house paddock a good fire break away from the house (check out fire prevention for your area) don't build a house meant for the suburbs on your property, create shade near the house with extensive verandahs and pergolas to create shelter from sun and wind from every direction, build your garage or big shed away from the house with a covered walkway creating sheltered courtyards (like an English walled vege garden) plan for water tanks to save water off every roof (including the chook house)...our best idea was a big covered alfresco area carefully screened with shade cloth and a locking door...kept out flies and snakes, great safe space for little kids and dogs as well as room for a table seating 20 for Christmas. Illness forced our retirement from the property just as trees were reaching maturity so make sure your trees are planted first to give you the opportunity to enjoy them sooner and very best of of luck with your new life

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Comments (16)

PRO
Garden Studio
9 years ago
Hi Jayhanno,
Why settle for a garden when you could have an experiential relationship with 13thC mathematics? When you think of a swimming pool would you consider a Peter Andrews inspired water course or something integrated into the opportunity your property surely provides as a work of art? Do you know the work of Fred Williams? - check him out! If you are working on a house plan have you considered North African architecture - perfect for South Australia. There are some fantastic books at libraries. Integrate outdoor living - house and garden - be generous with space including height - children bring more children after all, you have friends, there will be dancing, wine and food! You can't just put in a lot of natives. You have to find the voice your property yields through your enquiry, discernment - you must be aware of the visceral nature of order. Did aboriginals pass through your area? We haven't really started but you don't have to settle for ordinary - this is the 21stC and we can investigate underlying reality, the metaphysical and what awakens emotion and our intellectual longings. Call us if this is the direction you want to go, check our blogsite as a start, we are not so weird - we could start with lunch! In any case I hope it works out for you all.
PRO
Timandra Design & Landscaping
9 years ago
Having spent many years as a landscape designer in South Australia, mostly in the Clare Valley, I know how hard gardens are there!
You need to keep your garden simple. Consider kikuyu or Sir Walter Buffalo lawn and trees that don't have a high water demand. A mixture of eucalypts with deciduous trees on the northern side; maybe a hedge or 2 for added winter structure.
Plan your garden around water restrictions - they are bound to happen again!
Alison
Jay Hanno thanked Timandra Design & Landscaping
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Barbara Dunstan
9 years ago
@jayhanno,
If you want a garden plan quick, then pay for professional advice and get yourself out of the predicament of being overwhelmed with choice.
They will advise you on best place for your proposed pool and just where the chook shed should go as well as your plant selection and placement.
You shouldn't have chooks too close to the house, as there will most definitely be a bit of a mess in the winter, perhaps 100mtrs from the home is ideal. You may also need to construct one or two runs for them, so that they are safe from predators and confined but have access to water, fresh grass and have the ability to dust themselves.
If you have visions of seeing your friendly chooks walking about your property, think again, they'll destroy your garden if you want form and structure that is!!!
If you're willing to wait somewhat for everything to take shape, then get a few books on plants, trees and poultry and READ UP.
Perhaps visit the local botanical gardens or similar and ultimately, you need to draw a plan of your area, so that if you decide on the pool in the future that you don't realize that you've spent a fortune on plants just where the pool could go!!!
Best of luck.
Cheers,
Barbara
Jay Hanno thanked Barbara Dunstan
mldesign0401
9 years ago
In planning stage firstly, just get some copies of your site plan.
Make a list of things you definitely want as in your pool, veggie plot, chook run, then consider things such as shade, garden rooms, flowers and maintenance. From that consider what you want to avoid.
Considering what you want without worrying about where for now will help build a profile. Your site, conditions, climate and aptitude for gardening will then cull that list down to the possible.
Address each pint of wants on your list one at a time, drawing up simp,e blocks to represent each point and play around with these on your site plan.
Once your happy with the pool being seen from the house and the chooks unseen for example, then things like screening and focus areas will start to emerge themselves.
Out of necessity you'll start to realize things like shade planting will be necessary etc.
Once your ideas are s.I'd, consult a garden designer who will translate them better.
Jay Hanno thanked mldesign0401
Jay Hanno
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all for your words of wisdom. I think I'm on the right track now, with a few more thoughts to ponder!
bev ison
8 years ago
Think of your acres as garden rooms, this way plan can be manageable also deciduous trees on the west side give shade in summer and let the winter sun in when bare of leaves. We are on 5 acres and free range chooks in a seperate fenced off area and have no problem with them flying over the fence into the garden, they are safely housed of a night and let out to free roam each day. The climate around the south west slopes is similar with very cold winters and very hot summers. Good luck and happy gardening.
Jay Hanno thanked bev ison
bev ison
7 years ago
Chook house with Virginia climber giving summer shade and winter sun when deciduous.
Barbara Dunstan
7 years ago
@oklouise,

You must be a country gal at heart as you have offered the very best of experienced suggestions, albeit that the house and surrounds are probably up by now and well under way given the original date of the post but then again it's a long term project and might not have gone too far yet.

So sorry to read you were forced to leave your property before you wanted. I hope your illness was temporary or at least doesn't prevent you from enjoying life.

I was just walking around my property and counting up the plants needed for some empty holes and thinking just how lucky I am to be enjopying it!! I'm just shy of 60, so think I have some good years left yet ha-ha

Hubby and I lease 600acres from an elderly neighbour and have cattle and also bale hay and silage for a living and so love our farm life but I know things can change in a heartbeat and you simply have to go with it.

Cheers,

Barbara
oklouise
7 years ago
thanks Barbara, age has also caught up but we've moved into our lovely newly renovated home in "town" going well except for constant noise and other people...hard to look at old photos but gossiping with other HOUZZERS helps
Barbara Dunstan
7 years ago
@oklouise,

I'm pleased you're happy to chat with ohter Houzzers, I enjoy it too.

That pic is beautifulI, so serene and that goldfish is huge!!

I have a pretty big dam but it's for the stock so not decorated with plants and trees like yours but have a lovely fishpond that hubby built right beside the home, I've attached a before and after.

Anytime you want to chat more, send me a private message if you like.

Take care,

Barbara
oklouise
7 years ago
love all the progress photos of your home and "message" in your profile needs to be activated to receive private message
Barbara Dunstan
7 years ago
@oklouise,

I just realized I have a public and private profile page but have absolutely no idea how to activate messages on the public page?

I'm not too computer savvy and I've run through all the profiles but I can't find a simple "message" check box.

If you'd like to chat privately, I can post my email address for a few minutes and then delete it?

Cheers,

Barbara
oklouise
7 years ago
Barbara, the HOUZZ contact will be able to tell you how to do it and i'll check back later, cheers to you
oklouise
7 years ago
Barbara, the message in my profile is open and i wonder if you contact me i might be able to write back to you????
Annette Kern
5 years ago
Hi I need similar advice though for a north coast NSW property and additional plants or hints as a must.Thanks in advance

Acreage garden design ideas

oklouise

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