We make a dry stream with our own hands on the territory of a country house
To turn a summer cottage into an oasis of pleasure, designers use various ideas. Let's consider how to build a dry stream with your own hands, quickly, efficiently and tastefully. For the first time, the structure was created by Japanese artists of decorative landscape arrangement. Visually, the structure resembles a natural bed of a small reservoir, covered with pebbles or stones. It is laid out in a curved line. Lush plants adorn it along the "banks". In general, the design evokes a number of positive emotions. Let's figure out what types of such structures are? What are their advantages? How to create and equip with your own hands a dry stream in a summer cottage?
Choosing the right option
Thanks to the vast imagination of designers, several types of dry streams have appeared:
- single bed (winding line on the uneven surface of the site);
- multi-line structure (includes intersections, bends, connections, bridges);
- the cascading nature of the stream (performed in the form of waterfalls in a hilly area).
For each of them, a number of building materials are used. The bottom is made of stones of various shapes. These can be large boulders and small pebbles. Sand mixed with gravel. Colored decor is created from basalt or slate. Limestone and white marble are used to create a luxurious river bed. Plants are planted along the dry stream, which give the structure a natural look.
With a large amount of precipitation, the channel fills with water, turning it into an original oasis of relaxation.
Usually they create dry streams with their own hands in order to improve the suburban area. In addition, with their help:
- the suburban area is divided into zones;
- visually adjust the total area (increase or expansion);
- mask communications (pipes, cables, wires):
- make a luxurious drainage or drainage channel.
A dry stream that is competently built in the country with its own hands creates pleasant sensations. It seems that in its place a few days ago, a miniature river flowed. But, under the scorching sun, it dried up. However, the reservoir is patiently waiting for the heavens to give him a new portion of moisture.
The Japanese consider water to be the greatest symbol of energy, therefore, equipping dry streams, they try to amaze mother nature.
Benefits of construction in the face of rising prices
At first glance, construction may seem too expensive. However, to create it, you will need running building materials:
- sand;
- crushed stone;
- pebbles;
- decor elements.
They are sold freely at specialized retail outlets at affordable prices. You can make a stone stream with your own hands in just 2-3 days. Many summer residents devote their weekends to this business.
No filters or pipes are required for the construction of the structure. There is no need to dig a deep pit and fill in an expensive drainage layer. Any stage of construction can be done by one worker.
The construction fits harmoniously into the territory of the summer cottage. The photo shows dry streams in landscape design, which are offered by experts. Any of them can be taken as an example of "engineering" thought. In addition, the design does not require much maintenance. She will delight the eye for many years, and bring peace. If desired, it is disassembled and replaced. alpine slide, a rock garden or a simple flower bed.
A dry stream can be built where rainwater collects. In this case, it is advisable to fix the stones with a solution to the bottom of the channel.
How to build a dry stream in the country with your own hands
Following the guiding principle: “Measure seven times and cut once”, designers advise to first analyze your site. Do I need to visually enlarge it? Are there particularly humid places on it? What is the main purpose of the structure? Then they get to work. Consider the step-by-step process advised by experienced designers.
Creating a diagram on paper and marking the site
The next step is the selection of a suitable design. Various options for the compositions of dry streams can be looked at by experienced designers. Any of them may end up at their summer cottage. The main thing is to take into account the relief of your territory. Then they sketch their grandiose ideas on paper. This will help to imagine the future structure in the landscape design of the site, to determine the dimensions and necessary buildings. If desired, the sketch is compared with other options to make radical changes on paper.
In addition to the basic structures, additional points are indicated on the diagram.:
- decorative elements;
- places of movement;
- planting area of green spaces.
According to the finished plan, they begin to mark the structure, directly on the site. The dry stream is located in such a place to enjoy its beauty all year round.
For business you will need:
- pegs;
- hammer;
- twine;
- sand.
With the help of various kinds of marks, the channel of the future structure is determined. For example, the curved version is "painted" with sand. Pegs and twine work well for straight lines.
The narrow shape of the stream will make the site more spacious, and the wide one will take up a lot of space.
Site preparation
A competent device for a dry stream implies a design with a clearly marked contour. The stones used for the channel should not rise too high above the ground. Therefore, the first step is to dig a pit about 15-20 cm deep. Using a rake, they level the soil. Then it is tamped with feet or with a special device. Embossed places leave visual waterfalls for the construction.
It is advisable to cover the earth with a material that inhibits the growth of weeds and allows oxygen to pass through. For example, geotextiles can be used.
Channel laying
Various types of stones are used to simulate the flow of water:
- pebbles;
- large cobblestone;
- but;
- sandstone.
You should not build a dry stream from broken bricks. From the outside, it will resemble a construction waste dump. The coastline is laid out with large stones, and the channel is covered with pebbles of medium and small caliber. Flat specimens are placed with the edge down, which resembles the natural flow of a stream.
An artificial structure does not have to be blue like water. Streams of such shades look original in landscape design:
- gray;
- red;
- orange;
- gray-black;
- bluish.
The red-brown channel is laid out from granite, marble or limestone. The blue-gray bottom is made from basalt, gneiss and shale. The effect of "wet" stones is obtained by applying varnish to the surface of the stones. First, they are cleaned of dirt, degreased, and then varnished. If desired, the channel is decorated with multi-colored glass balls. When the sun's rays hit them, rainbow reflections are formed. Thanks to this, the dry stream will shine with different colors.
Decor elements
Any natural body of water, even the smallest, is surrounded by flowers and greenery. In a similar way, they equip an artificial structure in the suburban area. Flowers are planted on the "coast" and along its bottom.
The most suitable plants for a dry stream are:
- decorative undersized shrubs;
- reeds or reeds;
- lilies;
- sedge;
- tall grasses;
- succulents;
- cacti.
They fit wonderfully into the rocky bottom of the stream.Tall grasses turn into green waves under the pressure of strong winds. Lilies shine with their vibrant hues. Succulents will remind you of the inviolability of natural laws. Low flowers along the riverbed will stylishly emphasize the curves and shape of the stream. The main thing is not to turn the structure into a rockery type flower bed or an alpine slide.
When planting crops, you need to make holes in the geotextile so that the plants will successfully take root.
In addition to green spaces, the stream is decorated with a stylish bridge. The wooden structure works wonderfully with the rocky bottom, flowers, shrubs and succulents. It seems that the stream has simply dried up and is eagerly awaiting moisture from heaven.
It is not at all difficult to create a bridge over a dry stream with your own hands. Would need:
- suitable design diagram;
- material (wood, iron);
- tools;
- desire to create.
The simplest version of a wooden bridge is traditional plank masonry. If you add handrails to the base, you get a chic retro-style design. As a last resort, the bridge can be purchased at the supermarket.
An important element of a dry river is additional decor. Suitable:
- antique vases;
- jugs;
- ceramic figurines;
- benches;
- plaster sculptures of birds and animals.
They are placed along the stream bed, so as to maintain the original style of landscape design of the summer cottage area. Over time, items will become overgrown with moss, fade in the sun, or crack. However, they do not lose their noble significance. After all, their "age" reminds of the transience of life, which must always be appreciated.
Illumination and arrangement of the mouth
The original appearance of a dry stream is given by lighting. Usually it is planned initially. During the preparation of the pit, special lanterns are mounted in the ground. At night, light will seep through the pebbles, giving the structure an original mystery. If this moment is missed, the backlight is placed under the bridge structure. The best option is to use an LED strip. The wires are hidden in a plastic pipe. The lamp system is glued to the base of the bridge.
The mouth of the stream is decorated with decorative conifers that grow around a marble pedestal. The structure looks very impressive if it starts its "path" from a huge jug lying on the ground. For business use an old container with cracks or chips. The result is a chic design.
A detailed consideration of the master class on how to make a dry stream in the country with your own hands encourages you to get down to business. A simple structural plan will help to visually represent the future structure and determine its dimensions. Preparation of the pit, compaction of the soil, installation of the channel is performed in the classical way. Next, a bridge, lighting, decor are installed. Suitable plants are grown. If you act according to the plan, in 2-3 days an amazing corner for relaxation will appear in the country.