My Garden Overhaul .... Why Did I Start This ..Picture heavy

[joestifff]

So after reading so many good build threads etc, I thought it is only fair I put my garden makeover on.

Now please don't laugh, this isn't my day job, I am an accountant by day, so all this lifting is a fair shock to the system. I do however think I can take my hand to anything, I just don't excel at anything!

So after completely renovating my last house, the wife decided it was time to get somewhere bigger. We also wanted to increase our family size, so we opted for a new build. Bugger all character, but warm, well laid out, cheap to maintain and a ten year guarantee. It'll do for a few years.

So as with any new build the garden was horrific. They had turfed over what I can only assume was the worst possible soil they could find, and any rubbish the builders had left. So far I have found security fence posts (those big black rubber feet), tools, brick wrappers, remains of builders lunches, fence post, bags of sand etc etc.

So I roped in my mate who was a landscape designer architect type person, and he came up with a design. He gave me a quote to do all the work, I laughed, he was serious, I fell over and decided I could do this myself. He then laughed when I said I wanted it done by mid July due to the oncoming birth of my firstborn. Ideally I wanted it done late June when my wife went on maternity.... I shall tell you now, it is not done, he was right to laugh!!!!

So when I started in April (yes April) it was a very very uneven mound of turf that was rotting.... I will let the pictures do the talking. I would like you to take special note of the fences. clearly the chipper has never seen a level before. It is the only downfall of the house was the garden and fencing, the rest I have to say is superb.

On with the pictures:

So the plan was made:
Garden by joe L, on Flickr

a digger was brought in, no way was I using a spade and barrow in this shocking bad soil:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Digging:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Good bye awful grass:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Progress leveling ground, I cannot explain how uneven the ground was, I am not sure how they managed it!!!

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Took about 5 of these of these removed:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Getting there, although I think it was about now I threw a bit of a paddy as I was tired and it seemed never ending;

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Spray paint to mark out key areas:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr


Starting to dig out and get it level, the general area of the path:

IMG_0177 by joe L, on Flickr

Put in some land drains to help with drainage due to the clay like soil:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Started to throw hardcore down for path and patios etc.... getting tired now.

Garden by joe L, on Flickr
Garden by joe L, on Flickr
Garden by joe L, on Flickr
IMG_0192 by joe L, on Flickr

Start of May I can start laying some brick edging:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr
IMG_0263 by joe L, on Flickr

leaving a gap from house to backfill with gravel:
Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Down one side of the house, just for the bins to sit on, I "may" build a shed down that side from the end of the path:
Garden by joe L, on Flickr
Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

IMG_0268 by joe L, on Flickr

Patio in front of house coming together:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr
Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Then it rained, rough marking where the curve will be:
IMG_0316 by joe L, on Flickr

A massive oak delivery was made, this was so heavy hand balling into the back garden, I bribed the delivery man to help me, he was going to just leave it on the drive otherwise:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

A bit more patio done, this is where the wife says she doesn't like the last few small slabs I have put in, and says it doesn't match, I explain they're just "fillers" and will be cut, she goes off in her pregnant way muttering:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Then I do the cut, really proud of this bit:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr
Garden by joe L, on Flickr
Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Start putting some brick edging on it:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

And carry on around, this will be the inner circle of the path, which retains the grass:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr
Garden by joe L, on Flickr
Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Edited - 12/04/2017 - As Photobucket no longer works - moved onto Flickr

Edited by joestifff on Wednesday 12th April 11:56

[joestifff]

AndStilliRise said:

Looks good man. Is that how it is at the moment then?

No a bit further, I shall upload some more pictures to photobucket now

Triumph Man said:

If it's any consolation, I think that's looking really good

Thanks, much appreciated, sometimes I look and am impressed, other times I just want it done!

myvision said:

You'll be posting on the lawn thread soon.
Looking good so far.

I will be, certainly will need the help with this soil, The old grass did not cope well with the soil at all, hence the drainage.

cylon said:

very nice, will keep an eye on this thread, also moved into new build house so looking for inspiration on a budget.

New builds are great, well the houses are, I find the gardens are just abandoned messes!

Vandenberg said:

Nice work, looking forward to seeing this finished.

How is your back holding up? Mine is knocked after doing battle with 30 years worth of ivy growth at the weekend.

Back was feeling the pain after the weekend after cutting up the sleepers... You can tell I am an office boy by day!

cylon said:

question if you dont mind, where did your source the slabs and stones and prices for rough idea pls?

My mate (who designed the garden) got them for me, think I paid something like £17m2 delivered for them. I live near "prices paving" which a lot of people in the country use, they couldn't beat that price, not much in it though. I think they are very reasonably priced. Mind you spend the same again for the hardcore/cement etc underneath!

edit:: Found out its from http://www.rflandscapeproducts.co.uk/ i could see it on one of the crates in the pictures below

bazza white said:

Nice cutting on the slabs. Good job all-round to well done.




My parents have this slabs and its pot luck on colours. Leveling them is a bugger you always end up with a lip somewhere.

Edited by bazza white on Tuesday 12th July 12:14

Thanks mate, was really pleased with the cut.... wait till you see the main patio... pictures to follow. It is pot luck with colours, and where to place them, patterns etc, and yes as they are riven and uneven you get the odd lip. Look better once pointed up... a job i am NOT looking forward too.

Alex@POD said:

That looks really good! Do you want to come and sort out my garden? Endless supply of tea and bacon butties while you're on site!

I have actually enjoyed it at points once I got going. I have dragged in a few mates every now and then to help etc. So the wife was on food and drinks duties then.

silobass said:

Looks great so far, cracking job

Cheers

NickCW said:

That looks fantastic!
Can't wait to see this done.

Me either mate......

Edited by joestifff on Tuesday 12th July 14:21

[joestifff]

So we continue......

The fun bit, you'll remember I said the fence was shocking. Well it was mainly due to how undulating the ground was, this corner below is where the main patio is going (North east facing garden, so patio at back of garden to maximise sun) You can see the fall on the fence, well the patio is going to be higher than the bottom of the fence.

I went to see my neighbour on the left to ask if he wanted me to raise the fence so I am not peering down on him, as his patio is on the other side and my finished level will be about 7 inches higher than his!! He said he wasn't bothered and no point replacing, he didn't mind me peering over!

So built up hardcore, and used some wood to retain the cement etc rotting the fence panels, as you can see in the picture:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Then it is on with laying the brick edge! this edging is a ballache for someone who never lays bricks for a living. I really am glad I am doing it, but bloody hell it would be easier to not have done it, and saved a fortune, and been quicker... anyway, worth it... I hope.

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Then laying the patio

IMG_0461 by joe L, on Flickr

More, then it rained... this weather is not helping progress:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

I got bored of laying patio, so started cutting up sleepers for the raised beds.... massive Jenga anyone???

IMG_0473 by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Dug trenches for raised beds.... awful awful soil, have I mentioned that?

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Last few bits of patio before the big cut:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Don't have one of just after cut, only when started laying the edging:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr



Patio done (bar the dreaded pointing)

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Time for raised beds:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

IMG_0516 by joe L, on Flickr

Clamps are handy, until cement dries then I timberlock them together.... amazing screws:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Progress:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Raised bed at other side, straight edges are easier:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

IMG_0528 by joe L, on Flickr

And that is how far I am, baby due next week!!! I joked saying I will use my maternity cover to finish it off... did not go down well!! Best crack on this week after work and weekend!!

Edited 12/04/2017 - Photobucket fallen out with Pistonheads - photos moved to Flickr

Edited by joestifff on Wednesday 12th April 14:55

[joestifff]

Inkyfingers said:

That's really impressive stuff, and a huge amount of hard work!

Thanks, greatly appreciated, and yes, it is hard work, I really do appreciate more how hard manual jobs are... fair play to all that do them.

Crumpet said:

I've seen 'professional' work that isn't half as good as that! Very impressive.

Have you any plans for planting taller trees / shrubs? Somethjng for a bit of privacy and to break up the fence a little?

Yes, there are plans, don't know the exact plans, but lots of big pots and planters to grow climbing things... all advice greatly received!!!! The fence is actually south facing so gets a lot of sun. It is hampered by the trees however.

There will also be a raised bed to the left of the big patio, so things can grow in there up the fence.

I'd love a small apple or pear tree somewhere, not sure if these can grow in pots or not?

[joestifff]

Rangeroverover said:

Good timing, Having become the worlds oldest dad a few months ago (55...only a 24 year gap) you need an outdoor project to keep you away from the house and general cooing that will be going on with wife's friends.

Congrats the garden looks amazing not sure I'd want an ACA/FCA doing mine at the usual hourly rate

For how slow I work in the garden, I don't think I could afford myself!

[joestifff]

Rangeroverover said:

On the fruit trees idea have a look at "espalier" fruit trees, they are sort of greek crucifix shaped so they will naturally train along the fence and not grow any taller

They look perfect for what I need.... will look closer at the time. Much appreciated. I have no idea about flowers, plants etc, I know I like them, but don't know whats best where!

crashley said:

What did you use to cut the sleepers? The angled corner sleeper is most the most intriguing cut, i'm guessing not by hand?

I bought a new circular saw, it takes two cuts as they're 100mm thick (thicker on the angle)

This is the one I bought https://www.howetools.co.uk/makita-5008mgj-240v-ci... such a beast. I've spent a chunk on new tools for this project... always a positive!!

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I am very lucky that I borrowed a mates, but my old neighbour used to manage a hire company, they're not a lot of money at all really for the time saved. They deliver them, show you how it works and leave you to it.

You can also hire one with a man as well... obviously a lot more. But could be a lot quicker!

All that jazz said:

Just a friendly heads up but be careful with your weights. That's a 3.5t trailer and that looks overloaded to me having done muck-away work. VOSA will have your pants down in court for overloading offences. You could be on a double hiding depending on what you used to pull it with too.

Very overloaded! 4 of these in the end I think. My mate took them to his farm. If he was happy to drive away, he said as long as the tyres weren't bowing, that was up to him. You can tell it's heavy, the jocky wheel sank into the drive...... bloody farmers!!! There was an option for him to bring a low loader down and tractor trailer, barrow it in the bucket and tip into the trailer. But it would of ruined the road/drive/pissed off neighbours!

[joestifff]

All that jazz said:

Roughly 2.5 tonne is the max you should have in/on them but it will say exactly how much on the plate on the chassis. They tare off around a tonne depending on whether it's a tipper or fixed bed.

That bulk bag you have sat at the side of it is a 1 tonne capacity. So 2.5 of those filled to where that one is is all you should have on the trailer to be legal.

Edited by All that jazz on Tuesday 12th July 16:20

Appreciate that, but it's done now! all soil gone. Feared it was overloaded, but he was happy enough.

So why the hell do they make trailers that big, all it could move would be bags of air! Surely you'd never fill it!

He reckons we moved about 18-20 ton in the end.

[joestifff]

Pheo said:

Looks epic. Makes a real difference having gone to the effort to design something, especially having curves

To make the pointing easier, have you looked into resin based solutions? Have a look at paving expert. It's brush in then and dead easy to do.

I will have to look at that ... I remember helping point my last patio ... awful, back breaking!

Sticks. said:

Looks like it's going to be great.

Here's the place for fruit trees. Usually plant over Winter. There's a lot of information on varieties, pollination etc, almost too much. Mail order or collect. I bought one in 2008 and it's done well.

http://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/searchresults2.as...

Excellent, website noted. I know nothing about trees/flowers etc.

Muppet32 said:

Yes. Use this stuff:



Easy to use and it's more resilient than traditional mortar.

Looks $$$$$ and I have big gaps ... the sign of an amateur

rufusgti said:

Look fantastic. I'd love to have a go at a complete garden makeover.

Those raised beds though.... Surely they're the most expensive raised beds in the history of gardening??
Go on, how much is that oak per metre?

They're not cheap. Each sleeper was £19 the big bed is using about 15 sleepers. I bought 30 to do all the raised beds, and then some more green oak to do the pergola. Around £900 in green oak ... also spent an unreal amount on a couple of tins of Osmo UV oil to protect them. £50 for 2 litres I think!

MrChips said:

OP that looks superb and certainly inspiration for those of us desk bods who think they'd be up for doing similar amount of work! So... what bits of learning would you say to someone just about to start a similar job? What tools have come in handy etc?

I'd definitely be interested in how you've achieve the curved cut on the paving slabs, set them then mark up then cut with a circular saw?

I'm a few months behind you, having had to remove a large tree and i'm now just starting to draw out the designs and order materials. The wife is going mental that i've killed the (100% moss) lawn I'm going to paint the fencing when she's away for a week at the end of July and that should definitely make a step forwards. Trying to decide on the colour is taking ages as we have to plan how it will look at the end rather than now.

Loads of potential in that garden, from what I have learnt so far, determine which way your garden faces and build patio round that, make a patio bigger than you think and look at loads of photos online... or any mates in the business.

As for the curve, not sure if you can see in the later photos, there is a pipe right in the middle of the garden, i run a tape measure off it to get the circle for the grass, and holding the tape and a bit of chalk I mark the patio once its dried, then simply patience with a grinder, because it's such a large diameter curve the cuts not as hard as it looked.

paulrockliffe said:

Yeah looks ace. I'm beginning to get a plan together for my garden, but I'm going to end up doing it piece-meal over the next few years I think. I'm starting from a position of having a nice, but nothing special garden, so there's no rush, just gradual improvements to work through. I've got far too much drive, so a huge amount to dig out and replace if I can motivate myself.

What have you used for your patio? Looks really quite nice. I've a patio to do at some point, but maybe not for a while.

The patio is Indian sandstone and it's the "Rippon" type, that's the colour, fairly common, lots of places sell it.I love it as they're so different and vibrant, once pressure washed up will look better.

spaceship said:

Very impressive. Excellent work you're doing there.

I'm hoping to start my own garden makeover later in the year ( crappy weather but won't get grief off the wife for my daughter not being able to play outside). I'm like you, not a pro but can turn my hand to most things. If it turns out half as good as yours is looking, I'll be doing well.

Plan, measure, measure again, sit, look, patience, and take it slow and steady with attention to details. But then also remember it's just a garden so don't go to OTT. That is what I have learnt so far.

Chicken Chaser said:

OP great effort and looks like you're using decent materials and doing a good job of it.
If and when you come around to planting, I am a bit of a keen amateur so would be willing to comment on what you're looking for once you have completed the landscaping. A good mix of evergreens and perennials should make for a reasonably low maintenance but developing garden. You're best planting fruit into the earth really and there are dwarf rootstocks which don't grow much more than 6ft but will heavy fruit.
I'd also recommend seeding the lawn from lawnsmith however turfing is a quick fix. There is something very satisfying about seeding though, and September would be perfect for it. By next spring you could have a beautiful lawn.

I shall be keeping this thread updated, and I will welcome all input on planting.

m3jappa said:

I do this for a living and have to say that's bloody good for a first attempt, it's actually better than a lot of the so called competition I allegedly have to compete against

The planning, levels and cuts are all good, my only criticism would be the joints are quite big but that's because you haven't laid them before and I'm guessing were or are planning to use cement. We only used resin based compounds now as you can get away with much tighter joints (sandstone due to it's nature of crap tolerance means you either end up with skinny or massive joints). If you know your using resin you stick to smaller the better iykwim. However it will be ok when pointed. I strongly recomend using gtfk vdw 800 for that. It's what I use and have used since 07 now. It certainly helps mask the inconsistency in sandstone sizes.

Can I ask one genuine question though.

How do you feel about the price you may have been charged if you hadn't spent the time doing it yourself. Let's assume you get someone like me to do the job and he's doing it properly, is vat registered and has usual overheads of a small buisness. Does it still look expensive?

Good to get praise from a pro. My mate who designed it is passing on Thursday so popping in to check it for the first time... genuinely nervous!

The joints are probably a bit big I agree now. They range from 20mm to 30mm in places. Difficult to get them all bang on, I spent far to long at the start with a metal ruler trying to get them bang on 20mm. But due to the nature of the stone, as you know, it was taking to long, and just not working.

I shall have a look at these resin ones. I know my mate does it with a dryish mix of mortar. Although I have seen on Youtube a guy using a wet mix, slapping it in, then cleaning with sponge and water as he goes. Results looked good.

I think the price he may have charged was reasonable. He said probably 3 of them for two weeks. so effectively 6 weeks work (working days only). He would of done it for me for about £9-£10k. He would of charged normally about £12k. He basically said he'd charge labour like normal (which is fine, he has to live and pay his lads) and just made no money on materials. He also couldn't fit me in until September 2017. So his price must be right, as his books are full. Although I was shocked at first, when you break it down, about £5k will be materials. so £5k isn't a lot for all that manual labour.

dazwalsh said:

Cracking work OP! Will be stunning when finished.

I too laughed and damn near fell over when a landscape company quoted me for a more modest garden landscaping. Set about it myself and now wish I hadn't. Saying that it's immensely satisfying but a real slog indeed. Could have used that digger myself shifting muck about.

Looking forward to the updates, and good luck with the new born.

It is immensely satisfying doing it, there have been times when I wanted to just throw a towel in... Mainly the levels, found that difficult. I also constantly ache at the moment!

Shall keep the updates flowing, although the imminent birth may delay them a touch!

[joestifff]

Craikeybaby said:

This looks great? Is the lack of updates due to a new arrival?

My wife wants something like this in our garden, although I'd rather tone it down a bit, keeping as much grass as possible. Will be a job for next year though.

You are bang on the money, currently on hold for a couple of weeks due to the amazing arrival of our first born, our lovely daughter Sophie:

IMG_0565 by joe L, on Flickr

I did manage to cram in some hours before the birth.

First was to finish the main raised bed:
Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Just need to put something to stop soil falling into neighbours garden!

Carried on more with the pergola which is joined to the raised bed and goes over the path:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

IMG_0535 by joe L, on Flickr


Put a beam across, one of the four there will be. did some carpentry for the joints:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

That's as far as I have got, I will do some this weekend, although maybe shouldn't expect too much.

On a side note, and as we are a car forum. My mate who designed the garden for me (as he is a landscape designer thingy) turned up in his new motor to check progress. I am a tad envious, it is amazing, it's the V6 version. Lovely motor:

IMG_0533 by joe L, on Flickr

IMG_0534 by joe L, on Flickr

edited 12/04/2017 - Photobucket and Pistonheads don't get along - Moved photos to Flickr

Edited by joestifff on Wednesday 12th April 15:12

[joestifff]

So, work is slower when you have a little one, I feel guilty if I am in the garden and not helping the wife and looking after the daughter.

But I also appreciate that I want this done and dusted so we can actually enjoy the garden.

I have spent most the time sorting out this bloody pergola. I am glad I have done it, as it adds some height to the garden, but my God it's taken some time to get right, dealing with green oak that keeps moving naturally and then giving it a quick sand down to get rid of the rough sawn edges. Digging holes, etc etc etc. I havent even done the rafters across the top, I keep telling myself that is this weeks job! but rain has stopped play!!

So the pergola.... nearly done:

4th post in:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

5th and 6th post in... Finally all posts done:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

IMG_0646 by joe L, on Flickr

Carried on chiselling and whittling away at making the top beams:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Main posts lined up fairly well (pointing to my centre mark in the middle of what will be the grass) considering it's green oak and keeps bloody moving!!!

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Final top beam roughly done:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

A good sand, which did no good for my eyes or nose and some shaping of the beams, bolted one side in, got me to this:

IMG_0660 by joe L, on Flickr

I was worried the wind would blow it down, but this is going nowhere!!

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Looks much better for a quick rough sand:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

So I then got really bored of doing wood work, and left the rafters across the top for another day. I pulled up the old council style path down the side of the house, wackered it all done right to the foot path, over what used to be grass, then plants next to my car, so we will have a nice long path from road to garden, and mean we the drive has more space to push pram around on. It just wasn't quite wide enough before:

Looking from garden to road (you will see the fall I had to replicate once it gets to the drive):

IMG_0665 by joe L, on Flickr

Further down the path, looking towards the road. Defines the border with my neighbour, need to repair his grass when i dug mine up months ago!!!!

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Looking back to the garden:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

And that is how far I've managed. Like I said, hoping to finish the pergola this week!!!

I have briefly designed the decking subframe. Although advice appreciated:

Decking plan by joe L, on Flickr

So what you see is the half semi circle layout of the decking for subframe, this will be in the opposite corner to the big patio of the same shape at the back of the garden. It will be framed by the block edging as per the rest of the patio/grass etc.

It is smaller at 3m x 3m on the two long edges, then obviously curved. The decking board, which WILL be composite (probably Trex stuff) is going to be laid like this:

Smith-a by joe L, on Flickr

But obviously only a quarter of it, that picture is a full circle!!! Which is why my braces are at 90 degrees to it in my design.

The braces/noggins, whatever the word is are 400mm centres they main beams and noggins are 6"x2" wood and posts are 4"x4" of which they are cicular in my diagram, but square in real life, there are 11 in total (is that overkill, or not enough) spaced at most 1.2m apart. What I am not sure is how far to cement them into my lovely clay soil! I was thinking 30cm should do it (one place i read said 70cm... that's just madness!!!!!!), the deck will only sit about 20cm above ground level!

All advice on this decking build much appreciated.

Cheers all.

edited 12/04/2017 - Photobucket is an arse - changed to Flickr

Edited by joestifff on Wednesday 12th April 16:18

[joestifff]

KTF said:

Impressive indeed In that case, another question for the OP.

Have you been using pavingexpert as a guide or have you done something like this before? Have been meaning to get round to doing my patio and side path as its currently the generic rectangular concrete slabs and they are not so level any more.

Yes I am a glorified bean counter by day!

I have been using paving expert for some, they seem to overly engineer things, which I like. Also used previous build threads etc. I also helped lay my patio at my previous house (with the guy that designed this garden), although that was a while ago, and I did very little.

Woodwork I enjoy, a few years ago I attended an evening course for a while and produced this:

IMG_1718 by joe L, on Flickr

My woodworking skills in the garden are not up to that quality I can assure you. But then I don't think it needs to be for a garden!

Edited by joestifff on Wednesday 12th April 16:21

[joestifff]

chockymonster said:

Topdeck (where you've got the picture of the round deck have a book that has plans in, it's £5, I get the feeling that when you look at their plans it will be different to what you've drawn up. Personally I'd be designing it like it's a segment of an octagon, not a circle and then making it round by using a frame that's attached.

If you're using 2x6 as your joists then the 2 long edges really only need 3 posts, 1 shared, 1 in the middle, 1 at the end.
I'd then do another long board that divides it into 2 triangles, so you're now up to 7 posts.
Connect the 3 long boards together closing the 2 triangles, have joists going across the triangles and then noggins connecting the joists.

Excuse the crudeness, but something like this


You could add two more posts in the centre of the boards that join the long timbers if you felt it was needed.

As for post depth, I went to more than 70cm.

Cheers for this, like I said all help required here.

I really like your segmented design, in my head this makes more sense than mine. I may look at this again and copy/steal your way.

I still feel 70cm is really deep for an almost self supporting structure, I await more responses on this.

Cheers for going to the trouble of drawing it out, really is appreciated.

[joestifff]

So have a new born certainly slows things down, the weather here isn't helping either.

Got a little bit more done:

Completed the path which connects to the drive:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Did some pre cuts for the final corner of patio to join to the path:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

The laid them properly:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

and joined the path:

BAFF9905-5C72-4803-9C81-609EE6ADF356_zpso2x95k53 by joe L, on Flickr

Started last night the final bit of curve which surrounds the grass and edges the path:

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Garden by joe L, on Flickr

Going for big push in September, my mate is coming to help with the block paved paths and pointing, should have that done quickly with his help!!

I have had another change of idea for the decking. With a little one I think she needs an area to play, the decking area seems ideal to me, so I can still put the block paving frame work around the edge of were the patio was/is/will eventually be going, but back fill the hole left with wood chippings for a Wendy house etc next year. What are peoples thoughts on this? Are bark chippings the best idea for this? When she is older I can then dig up the chippings and put decking down. The area is 3m x 3m (curved edge/triangle shape)

This weekend I want to finish the inner curve that is slow close to being done as you can see in the last photo, and cut the final lot of sleepers for the final raised bed at the bottom of the garden. May even get them in situ and cement them in over next week.

Also still need to finish the bd pergola, you can see in the pictures I have done 2 of the 6 beams on the top, fit in nice and snug, three beams resting in their uncut position, and one I got mad with is at the other side of the garden!!!!!

edited 12/04/2017 - Pistonheads is ste, all moved to Flickr

Edited by joestifff on Wednesday 12th April 16:27

[joestifff]

So this weekend consisted of trying to get a bit more done on the garden.

I had a really good tidy up, getting rid of old bricks, crap, sorting down the side of the house.

Also had 5 tonnes of top soil delivered, that is harder to move than I thought, managed 4 tonnes with some help from the family. Built the final raised bed. All ready for path laying and pointing, the next fun jobs. should get done in a couple of weeks!!

Onto the pictures (changed to imageshack as photobucket is awful!):

The start of the final raised bed, notice the jenga style sleepers waiting to be put into place!



Clamps and more clamps hold them in place until cement goes off then I also Timberlok screw them together:



Don't worry, I put a back onto the raised bed, like the rest of them, don't want it to rot the fence!!



Starting to tidy up, notice all the sawdust from cutting the sleepers, sawdust smells like a good used whiskey cask:



Still not finished the bd pergola! You will notice the tannin is leaching out of the oak giving it a black stain, this will be cleaned up with oxalic acid wash.



We have some topsoil:





Raised beds being filled:



Last raised bed done, just need to finish putting the lining inside once cement has gone off:





More top soil done. I had ordered 5 tonnes thinking that will just do the beds, it went further than thought, that's after 1 day of sinking and topped up. Still have a tonne on the drive for the bed at the back!! So glad I didn't order 10 tonne:



Final shot of the day, a panoramic shot, which makes the curved edge of the patio I am stood on very stratight.... strange:



Can't wait for the path and pointing to be done.. Dare I say the end is in sight!

[joestifff]

Craikeybaby said:

Talking of the lawn thread - you probably need to be seeding the lawn sooner rather than later. Or are you going to wait until the spring?

I'm torn on this. I can get turf for practically nothing through work, but only have another month to get it done! Seed would need to be now really and I can't see it being ready for seed for a month which is then too late.

Ideally it wants to be some good stuff as the garden is north/east facing and the ground below the 4 inch of top soil is awful.

[joestifff]

About time for an update I think!

So the last couple of weeks have been busy!

I put the last bit of stone down, replacing the standard concrete ones at the front door as they looked a bit odd with the path being in stone, my best bit of laying, good job really as it's the bit most people will see:



Then a couple of days of path building and pointing, not many pictures of it happening, but here are a few:

Main, longer path going down, on sand bed, with edge cemented in once done:



Path under pergola done, bar the cementing of the edge to the right:



Main path done, all cuts done and in place, just need a dry couple of days to sweep in some kiln dried sand, and it needs a really good clean:



Pointing done, looks a real mess pre-clean:








That night after the pointing I woke at 5am to the sound of horrific monsoon style rain. dashed outside to check the pointing wasn't being washed away .... What I could have done at 5am if it was is beyond me, luckily the front door pointing was hard, and that was the last bit done... sigh of relief and back to bed! The forecast was for no rain at all, that's why it was done that day!!!

Next job was pressure washing around the edge of the stone to remove excess cement before it goes off completely, good couple of hours with a pressure washer had it looking amazing. Then my mother arrived from Spain, so didn't take any photos. She is a massive garden person and misses having UK climate for growing things other than olives/mangos/cactus etc.

As a treat she said she would buy the plants for the garden, and as we had no idea what on earth to buy, just saying we like roses and lavender, a trip to the local nursery was in order:



One of a couple of trips! good job it's less than a mile home. The wife had to walk home with baby, no room in the car!

I let mother set out plant locations with the wife.... in her element:




Mother and step dad particulally excited when they saw the rose selection at nursery... David someone?? Like I said, I have no idea about plants:



More plants:


Pressure washed patio:


Cleaned and planted:






Photos from upstairs:





The list of jobs is getting shorter!!

-Gravel round all edges between house and path, raised beds and path etc - got that coming Wednesday
-Lay the turf
-build the decking - probably next year
-finish the bd pergola.....
-clean & oil all the wood

[joestifff]

So still getting as much of this done as I can before the bad weather hits. Looking unlikely I will get turf down this year, so may have to do that early Spring next year, but we shall see.

Does anyone think it is getting a bit late now?

Anyway, I have been oiling the wood which makes it look loads warmer, using Osmo 420 UV, that stuff is bloody expensive!! You can see the difference in the pictures. Also had a delivery of golden gravel to fill the edges, which finishes it off nicely:

Main bed oiled and golden gravel down:




Pergola and bed not oiled yet, but graveled:




Then started on the framing for the decking, wanted to go posh and have matching bricks around the decking, like this effect:


So I got some kerb edging blocks from ebay to match and used them as the front curve:


Normal ones at the back, and chucked more golden gravel down (I still have half a ton bag on the drive! not sure what to do with it!)



So that's where I am at at the moment. I am thinking once I've finished the last bit of edging kerbs I will get shot of the mixer so that I can prep my grass and see if I need anymore topsoil. As the mixer sits on where my grass is going.

I figure I can finish the decking next year, or if it is still warmish (I am a fair weather man) I can use those bags of postcrete to do the post work for the subbase of the decking.

Still need to finish the bd pergola, although at least some of it has been preserved and oiled now!!!

[joestifff]

So about time for an update on this!

I have been trying to get as much done before the clocks change and the cold weather comes in. My plan now is to have everything done bar the decking subframe and actual decking, if I manage any of that as well I will be very happy. If not, it will be done in spring next year.

So I finished off the brick edging for the decking:



This means I can get rid of the cement mixer and any other materials, as the posts for the decking will be held in with postcrete. Getting rid of the mixer also means I can prepare the lawn area for turf.

So in order to not be left with any soil piles, I dug out the holes for the decking posts, or rather I borrowed a post auger.. what a machine, cut through my clay soil very easily:



I went a bit OTT on the holes, did 11 of them all about 600mm deep. This area is only 3mx3m and curved at that!!! better for overkill I guess.

Next I levelled out the lawn area, fairly lucky on quantities of top soil ordered, I was only short of a small amount, better than having to much. I will top up with sharp sand:



You'll notice the pergola is still not done. I MUST get this done this year, I do not want it dragging into next year!







Turf was ordered through work for practically nothing, arrived Friday, laid Saturday. Doesn't take very long, as most the hard work was done with levels and tampering down:



You can see I fine tune the levels as I go, mainly with sharp sand:



There are over 300 snowdrop bulbs in the top soil under the turf as well, hopefully they come up this spring:



Done, a few hours of jumping around on boards to make sure it's down:








Then left the sprinkler on it for a while. Next day jumped on boards again to ensure a good bond with the top soil below. I also chucked some fertiliser from Lawnsmith.co.uk which is made for new seeeded lawns or turfs http://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/prod/lawn-fertiliser-pr... hopefully worth the money. Also bought some Autumn and Spring fertiliser to help. This fertiliser and the others is not meant to stain hard surfaces, a problem I've had in the past.

So basically, all I want to finish now is the pergola, which just needs me to put those 4 rafters/cross beams in properly, and oil the other half, less than a days work. Pray for dry weather next weekend!

[joestifff]

B17NNS said:

Lovely job OP

eps said:

Tip top job!

911Ads said:

Great job! Looks amazing!

Many thanks everyone, much appreciated. Been a hard slog

All that jazz said:

Nice work. How will it feel to be overlooked by so many other properties while chilling in your nice new garden though? There's no privacy there at all.

Wont bother me in the slightest, only about 4 houses overlook my garden, two are immediate neighbours. They joy of living on a housing estate. Not my forever home, but in my neck of the woods a 4 bed detached which isn't overly overlooked would be another £200k and at 30 years old, i'd rather not spend that just yet, half a million would be a tad much on my current salary.

techguyone said:

I see everyone has the same style of fence, is that some kind of condition clause of the area to ensure uniformity? Although one of your neighbours has put black sheeting of some kind on the inside of his fence so that you can't see through the gaps presumably.

It's because its a new build estate, only 2 years old, give it another 2 and they will have started falling down!

Yes my neighbour has but put some strange green netting, he uses it to grow plants up.

[joestifff]

MR2 Steve said:

Does anyone else think of Pacman when they see the final photo?!

Hilarious you say that, literally yesterday morning I was brushing my teeth and noticed the same. This morning brushing my teeth I found myself humming the tune! Never will I not see that now!