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The project:
Our backyard began as a simple lawn with a Hills Hoist. We wanted to transform it into a productive, beautiful space where our young family could grow food, flowers, and memories together. Using materials sourced from Bunnings, we put together five raised garden beds connected by a central pathway, with archways for vertical growing and easy access to the shed. What was once an ordinary suburban backyard has become a thriving kitchen garden that brings us outside every day and continues to evolve with each season.
- Materials:
Garden Structures
- Merino Raised Garden Beds (https://www.bunnings.com.au/120-x-90-x-30cm-merino-raised-garden-bed_p3321654)
- Garden Basics Garden Arches (https://www.bunnings.com.au/garden-basics-garden-arch_p3320315)
- Longyard Farm Mesh Wire Roll (https://www.bunnings.com.au/longyard-90cm-x-75mm-x-50mm-x-30m-wire-farm-mesh-fence_p0066708)
Garden Edging
- Jack Corrugated Black Plastic Garden Edging (https://www.bunnings.com.au/jack-150mm-x-6m-corrugated-plastic-garden-edging_p3320602)
- Tuscan Path Black Garden Edging Pegs (https://www.bunnings.com.au/tuscan-path-280mm-black-garden-edging-peg-10-pack-black_p0238074)
Deck & Paving
- Timber decking materials
- Pavers for BBQ area
Soil & Growing Media
- Clyde Premium Organic Compost (https://www.bunnings.com.au/clyde-compost-20l-premium-organic-compost_p0653898)
- Scotts Premium Veg Mix (https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotts-osmocote-plus-50l-tomato-vegetable-and-herb-premium-planting-mix_p2961636)
- Organic soil conditioners and sugar-cane mulch (https://www.bunnings.com.au/oreco-26m2-sweet-garden-sugar-cane-mulch_p2961137)
Feature Elements
- Tuscan Path 75 cm White Harper Bowl (https://www.bunnings.com.au/tuscan-path-75cm-white-harper-bowl_p0357803)
- Seasonal vegetable, herb and flower seedlings and plants
- Climbing plant supports and twine
- Tools:
A variety of DIY and gardening tools were used throughout the project, including a wheelbarrow, shovel, rake, mattock, hoe, hand trowel, cordless drill, circular saw, spirit level, tape measure, gloves and other general garden tools. Garden tools, hardware and consumables were sourced from Bunnings throughout the project.
- Step 1:
1. Cleared the Backyard
The project began by removing the existing Hills Hoist clothesline, breaking up the old concrete pathways and stepping stones, and dismantling the smaller garden shed. Once the space was cleared, we installed our first three raised garden beds so we could start growing while the rest of the project continued to take shape.
- Step 2:
2. Built the Access Path & Prepared the Site
To make the garden easier to access year-round, we built a timber deck along the side of the house, finishing it with a small paved BBQ area.
We then continued to remove the remaining lawn from the garden area, levelled the site, and installed garden edging to define the different garden zones.
- Step 3:
3. Expanding the Kitchen Garden
With our first three raised beds already planted, we continued building the garden around them. Working weekends and evenings, we gradually added a small greenhouse and two more raised beds, filling each with quality soil and organic compost before planting them out as the project slowly took shape.
- Step 4:
4. Created a Living Green Wall
Rather than leaving the garden shed as a plain backdrop, we attached farm mesh to its exterior to support climbing flowers. Over time, the plants will grow to create a living green wall that blends the shed into the surrounding garden.
- Step 5:
5. Added Height, Structure & Character
To make better use of the space, we installed two garden arches for climbing crops, creating both a practical growing structure and an inviting entrance to the kitchen garden. Feature pots and surrounding planting were then added to soften the space (while hiding certain items like compost bins) and encourage biodiversity within the garden.
- Step 6:
6. A Garden That Continues to Grow
Today, the kitchen garden is filled with seasonal vegetables, herbs and flowers that provide fresh produce for our family while supporting bees and other pollinators.
Like any good garden, the project is never truly finished. Plans include adding gravel to the pathways, stepping stones and solar lighting as we continue to refine and enjoy the space through the seasons.
