Most of us don’t seem to have anything to hide, but we still don’t want to be constantly under close attention. This is where the logical desire to fence off with a solid high fence appears!
Hide it behind a high fence…
To hide from the eyes of neighbors, the first thing you need to negotiate with these very neighbors. And not just in words, but to confirm intentions in writing. In addition, the general fence must be coordinated with the highest authorities. And if everyone agrees and there are no restrictions on this in the charter of your dacha partnership, you can build a solid fence. But in most cases, you have the right to install a blind fence only from the side of the access road, and not between your own and neighboring plots.
What can it cost to install a blind fence?
It may seem that all this is created for additional tortures of the nervous system of vacationers, but such measures are not far-fetched. The fact is that the permitted chain-link mesh does not interfere with the sun, air — and is not a serious obstacle for emergency evacuation.
Not all neighbors agree to a solid fence. For example, you don’t want to be in plain sight, and they have no desire to sit in a box, even if it is spacious, even under the open sky. In addition, the fence will create a shadow, which may be on your side. Give a significant part of the plot to shade-loving plants? Is it worth it?
In some cases, neighbors go to extreme measures: they retreat from the border of the plot one and a half meters and put up a solid fence. It seems like this is not a violation — and hides it from the eyes of neighbors. But in the realities of small possessions, such techniques are too wasteful.
Solutions that don’t help
On the Internet, many ways have been proposed to isolate themselves from neighbors who do not cause dissatisfaction on their part. Design ideas are more interesting than each other, however, there is one thing: no matter how beautiful your fence is, it should not interfere with neighbors. Even a beautiful plank wall without gaps is not a way out of the situation, because in fact it is the same solid barrier. Therefore, it is possible to install such barriers only at a distance from the border of the plots, that is, taking the height of the blind fence as a structure, you will have to retreat deep into your site by at least 1 m along the entire length of the fence.
Another beautiful, but in most cases not a working option is a hedge of shrubs or climbing plants. It often causes even more problems than an ordinary fence. For example, some plants crawl by their roots or shoots in all directions, various insects are introduced into them, and not every neighbor is ready to put up with this.
What will help you hide from prying eyes: 5 ideas
Is there a solution to this difficult task at all, or will you have to go out into the garden, as at a fashion show, in full dress? As you know, there are no hopeless situations!
1. Trees and screens
Plant trees along the border line, observing all the margins. Medium-sized fruit trees (cherries, plums, sea buckthorn, hazel) can be planted at a distance of 2 m from the fence. Taking into account the diameter of the crown, they will not go beyond the boundaries of the site, but at the same time they will reliably hide you from prying eyes. Being fenced off by deciduous trees, you need to understand that their crown is on top, and everything will remain visible from below. What can be done here? Either plant bushes between them, or use cereals, they grow quickly and reach a decent height.
So that the place between the border and the trees does not turn into a dead zone, green spaces can be staggered, especially since lower plants can be planted closer to the fence. Alternate trees with screens or light trellises. These structures will not interfere with the roots of fruit trees — they can be installed a little further from the edge of the plot or a little closer to it.
You can make screens from almost any materials, for example from old doors. Mirror canvases look especially impressive in them, which visually expand the boundaries of the site. The screens do not necessarily have to repeat the fence line — their rotation can be chosen so as to achieve high-quality sunlight in the fenced-off area, but at the same time hide your site from the eyes of neighbors.
In summer, let climbing ornamental plants run along the trellises, or, combining the useful with the pleasant, wrap them with peas or beans.
2. Private green areas
Now let’s think: do you really need to fence the entire area around the perimeter, or is it enough to hide only those places where you like to relax, including the windows of the house? To do this, you can not overload the garden with trees, but organize several private zones. This option has been tested by me on personal experience. Our house stands in a hollow, and its windows are clearly visible from the road. Several juniper trees planted by an island block the view from the street. But at the same time they do not shade the room, as they are located at a distance from the house and stand as a loose wall. Of course, you can see the light in the window, but the rest is inaccessible to the curious eye.
3. Winding paths
As a rule, the paths on our plots are straight, and often they are clearly visible from the neighbor’s plot. To hide from prying eyes, their lines need to be broken. Let the paths meander, skirting green spaces and buildings. The main task is to reorganize the space of the site so that the place where you spend most of your time is located in a hidden zone. This point is much easier to think through when landscape planning.
4. Patio or green grotto
And on six acres, you can organize an enclosed patio. It just sounds pathetic — in fact, it’s just a recreation area, hidden from prying eyes.
Any fences can be used here. That’s where design ideas work with a wall of pallets, log cuts and other interesting things that can be found at hand! Even a free-standing section of the fence can turn into a support for grapes. It is not necessary to make four walls — sometimes it is enough to fence on one side.
If you want more privacy, you can make a real green grotto with walls and roof, covered with ivy or grapes.
5. Spreading trees
Another problem of small plots is living under close attention from a neighbor’s window. It is especially unpleasant if the window is on the second floor, and it offers wonderful views of your garden beds, playground or exit from the bath. No rest, no work without an appreciative look… Screens here, unfortunately, will not help. The only way out is to hide under the trees with a spreading crown. But remember: when planting them, it is important to observe the margins from the border of the plot!
What happens?
The construction of a high solid fence between neighboring plots is an extreme measure and is almost always illegal. The only safe way to create at least some privacy of your possessions is to properly organize the landscape of the site and correctly arrange the buildings. Or… just stop paying attention to the neighbor’s views!
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