🖼️
The project:
We transformed this corner of our backyard from an overgrown unusable area into fun space to enjoy outdoor fires. The whole area was overgrown with a weedy vine and we couldn’t believe what we uncovered when we removed it. Hidden under the weeds was this amazing boulder that the previous owners had started to turn into a staircase. We expanded the staircase so it is now functional, replaced the weeds with native plants, added a fire pit and some seats.
- Materials:
To create this outdoor space we used the following Bunnings items:
- Glow Rust Fire Pit https://www.bunnings.com.au/glow-rust-heathcote-fire-pit_p0520980
- Two Mimosa Timber benches https://www.bunnings.com.au/mimosa-santo-timber-bench_p0581621
- Eucalypt Garden Edging https://www.bunnings.com.au/tuscan-path-150mm-x-6m-eucalypt-garden-edging_p0238054
- Stepping stones https://www.bunnings.com.au/brighton-masonry-350-x-400-x-50mm-cream-step-pave-concrete-stepper_p1027535
- A range of native plants from the garden centre including Blueberry Ash and Dichondra
- Pinebark Mulch https://www.bunnings.com.au/garden-basics-50l-pine-bark-mulch_p0586138
- Tools:
To remove weeds and plant we used the following garden tools:
- Trowel https://www.bunnings.com.au/cyclone-stainless-steel-garden-trowel_p3360998
- Fork https://www.bunnings.com.au/cyclone-stainless-steel-fork-hand-tool_p3360486
- Trojan Maddock https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-2kg-mattock-with-cutter-end-timber-handle_p0684996
- Poison https://www.bunnings.com.au/yates-250ml-tree-and-blackberry-weed-killer-concentrate_p3010221
To cut out the rock stairs we used:
- Ryobi Angle Grinder https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-115mm-angle-grinder-tool-only_p0509295
- Electric Breaker https://www.bunnings.com.au/makita-30mm-1510w-hex-shank-electric-breaker-hm1317c_p6240114
- Step 1:
The first step was removing the weeds along the fence line. Using our cyclone garden tools we began pulling out the weeds and cutting back the vine. We used the maddock to dig up the tough vine roots and where couldn't get all of the roots we applied Yated weed killer to ensure they don't grow back. We also removed the old cubby house. Here is a picture of the before and during.
- Step 2:
After all of the weeds were removed the first stage of the project was to plant some screening shrubs. We planted some native Blueberry Ash along the fence to provide some more privacy in the future. Underneath them we planted some Dichrondra to prevent weeds popping back up. To give the area a more finished look we added in the lovely eucalyptus green garden edging and covered the soil with pine bark mulch.
- Step 3:
Next we tackled the wall of weeds behind the old cubby house. When we removed the mass of vines we uncovered the amazing sandstone boulder staircase. We immediately knew we had to finish the staircase so that it was fully functional. However we had to wait for some much needed help form my partners father. So in the meantime we planted out the area adjacent to the boulder with a beautiful Grass Tree as a feature and some other small native ground covers. We mulched this are with Pinebark Mulch as well. We bought two bench seats and a fire pit so we could start enjoying this space.
- Step 4:
Finally, with the help of my partners father we completed the rock staircase. To do this we used an angle grinder to cut the shape of the stairs then used the electric breaker to break down the sandstone. We added some stepping stones at the top of the staircase to link up with our existing stepping stones. After this our transformation was complete. Here is the final result!
