Landscaping of parking areas

Landscaping of parking areas

Landscaping of parking areas - how to combine the green grass with the car

Designing car approaches and parking spaces is one of the biggest design challenges. The traditional solution - the pouring of large concrete areas or the complete asphalting - often endangers the exterior, it deprives the garden of valuable green space and creates problems with the drainage of rainwater.

Modern landscape architecture offers a much more aesthetic and ecological alternative: the construction of the so-called. "green parking". By using specialized parking elements (grids) a perfect balance is achieved – the surface remains firm and stable for vehicles, and the yard retains its green and fresh appearance. Here's how to do it professionally.

Content

Types of parking elements: Concrete vs. Plastic

There are two main types of grid modules in use on the market, and each of them has its specific landscape and technical applications:

  • Concrete parking elements (Grass joints): A classic and extremely massive solution. They are very heavy, they are not affected by the sun and withstand the load of heavy jeeps and vans. Their main minus is, that in the summer the concrete is heated strongly by the sun and literally dries out the soil and grass roots in the cavities, which requires more watering.
  • Plastic (HDPE) parking grates: A modern and more discreet solution. Their thin walls become completely invisible, after the grass grows, which creates the feeling of a clean green carpet. They don't heat up as much as concrete and leave more room for plant root development. Choose only modules with high UV protection and resistance to low temperatures.

Preparation of the base: The critical factor against subsidence

The biggest mistake in the implementation is to arrange the parking elements directly on the garden soil. Under the weight of the car, the tires will quickly make deep ruts, the elements will break, and the grass will be crushed.

  • Technology based: For stable parking, a deep bed is dug 30-40 cm. A lower bearing layer of crushed stone is laid (macadam), which is rolling heavily. A geotextile is placed over it, a leveling layer of sand or fine felt follows, and only then are the grids lined up.

Specifics of grass in parking areas

The cavities of the parking elements are filled with a specific substrate - a mixture of fertile soil, peat and fine river sand (so that the soil does not clump).

  • Election for seeds: Special grass mixtures are used, resistant to trampling and drying (usually high in Red Fescue and Wild Meadowsweet).
  • Seeding level: Soil and grass should remain at approx 1-1.5 cm below the top edge of the grid. In this way, the tire of the car treads on the solid walls of the element, and the growth point of the grass remains protected below the pressure level.

Benefits for property drainage

Apart from pure aesthetics, the green parking lot is a powerful drainage facility. Unlike pure concrete, the lattice structure has $100\%$ water permeability. Rainwater soaks instantly into the soil, instead of flowing to the house or the street, which saves the construction of expensive linear drains in this area.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can gravel be put in the parking grates instead of grass??
Yes, it is a great alternative for areas with high traffic or deep shade, where the grass doesn't stand a chance. The cavities are filled with colored decorative gravel, and the grid prevents it from spreading and making ruts.

2. How to mow the grass in the parking lots?
In a completely standard way with a classic wheeled mower. As the knife moves above the grid level, there is no risk of damage to the machine, as long as the items are leveled correctly.

3. How car oil spills affect grass?
Heavy stains from motor oil or antifreeze will burn the grass in that particular spot. Therefore, the green parking lot is suitable for serviceable cars. In the event of an accidental stain, the soil in the corresponding cell must be replaced locally.

Conclusion

Landscaping of parking areas proves, that functionality and aesthetics in the yard can go hand in hand. With the right selection of parking grids and an uncompromisingly built underground foundation, you get a solid engineering facility for your vehicle, which does not take away from the freshness and green volume of your garden.

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