Steps
Step 1
Started with a dirt patch and a trailer load of road base from a mate. After working my way through the soil to remove any large rocks, etc. I found that half the yard was riddled with palm tree roots from next door. This took a substantial effort to remove completely (by hand) and I had to relocate the road base around the yard to clear everything.
Step 2
Once the soil was prepped, we laid charcoal pavers as a hedge border and a slight retaining wall to create two levels. First time cutting pavers with the grinder and first time laying pavers at all.
Step 3
We got a ton of garden soil delivered for the front section and hedge areas, then hired a compactor to harden the base for artificial turf inside the hedging. After having had actual turf in a similar layout at a previous property, it’s more trouble than it’s worth to maintain in a small area, so we invested in a quality Australian-made artificial turf, which doesn’t get super hot in the sun.
The letterbox was a D.I.Y. project with my wife and made with ply, hardwood posts, decking timber ripped into strips, Dulux Weathershield and exterior marine varnish.
Step 4
Laying the turf after cutting out a circular section in the middle for a magnolia. Mock orange hedging in with some Redgum hardwood mulch. All planted areas are on reticulation watering with drip irrigation.
Step 5
Front area mulched and planted with lotus flash for ground cover. All up, with the cost of everything other than the letterbox, this project cost us about $2000.
The yard ended up like this after 9 months of growing.
Tools and matrerials
Materials used in the project:
Tools used in the project:
