Looking for garden inspiration

[raf_gti]

Currently have a badminton court sized garden with nothing but grass and a shed in the bottom corner, we have only been in the house 6 months so it isn't exactly worthy of a place at Chelsea quite yet. The trouble we have is that with four dogs it is impossible to keep the grass in good condition so sometime over the next 6 months I want to replace it with bark, stones or 'something'. Do any of you good green fingered people have any suggestions? Ideally I want it to low maintenance and with suitable for the dogs to run around on.

Ta!

ps pictures most welcome

[mechsympathy]

Something like this?

[bob1179]

Build a nice big garage on the garden, it must have enough room for a couple of cars, a motorbike and a nice long workbench with loads of tools. I also suggest you either build a decent well lit pit or make to ceiling high enough for a post lift.

You know it makes sense...

[Will.c]

Problem with 4 dogs and a small garden, I'm guessing they use the current garden as a toilet?

If that's the case then there's a bit of a problem with any type of surface you might use; bark will get kicked about all over the place, stones and gravel will get stained a lovely shade of yellow and brown, and patios/concrete could start to stink something awful without cleaning, especially if the garden gets a lot of sun.

I'd go with the paving slabs myself, but depends on your budget and what your garden/house exterior looks like, if you can post some pics that would help.

[jeff m]

Four dogs equals 12 little piles per day. Picking those out of loose stones, loose bark or loose anything will be tedious.
A hard surface, concrete, stamped concrete, or blocks set on a sand base would be good for; the dogs nails (it wears them down) acts as a dirt buffer zone to the house, place for a barbi, place to sit and have a beer after you've picked up the cr@p.
Keep a bit of a lawn, couple of flower beds to break up the veiw.