This project was a complete makeover with client designing the garden to her own personal needs and wishes. The design was in a layout form with no measurements, so my first job was to make sure it all fitted into the garden!
The existing lawn was removed and put to one side as this would come in use later on in the job. Construction of the raised beds was next, these are 2 sleepers high with a 50mm topper which acts as a wider top and seating area. The sleepers are secured by putting wooden posts into the ground, concreting these in and securing the sleepers with coach screws. Some of the stripped off grass from the existing lawn was then used in partially filling the raised sleeper beds, which over time will rot down once the topsoil is placed on top. The soil from the excavation of the patio area was used to do this.
The existing concrete paths were broken up using a hydraulic kango and the concrete was used to provide hardcore for the patio area. This was done to provide a solid base which will stop the patio sinking as well as extending the life of the patio. The base was then capped off with scalpings and compacted with a wacker plate. The client requested textured paving for the patio area so we went with Bradstone buff textured paving in 3 different sizes in a repeating pattern. These was laid on and pointed using a sand/cement mix with white cement to get the pointing to complement the slabs.
Around the intended new lawn area metal edging and block paving was used to retain the topsoil. The block paving was used in front of the raised beds to provide a mowing strip, this allows you to get a nice clean cut edge by the sleepers, when mowing the lawn. Metal edging is great because it is very flexible and allows you to create neat curves for edging turf or boarders. Over 3 tonnes of top quality topsoil was brought in to level the lawn area, this was then turfed using Rolawn Gold Medallion. Before the turf was laid a starter fertilizer was put down this promotes good root growth which is vital to the turf surviving .
Landscape matting was put down over the pathways, this will stop weed growth in the gravel areas. The gravel used in this garden is 20mm Romsey, this was chosen because it is large enough not to get stuck in the tread of your shoes or boots and get brought into the house . The shed and bench were constructed from kits and they completed the garden. I was very lucky to have the weather on my side especially for moving the soil. This garden is now ready for the client to start planting and to enjoy!
