🖼️
The project:
I moved into this property late 2024 and the existing garden was completely overgrown, and mostly unusable space. I wanted the space to be open and relaxing, and utilising a range of productive plants that I can explore the tastes of over time. The dog also needed a bit of grass to roam around in! All in all, the entire project took around 12 months to complete.
- Materials:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/jack-50-x-450mm-galvanised-steel-retain-it-joiner-post-upright-sleeper_p1100440?store=8164&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21112835418&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB9ubsjpHkXHgaDmTRpqmzrqv&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlNPVBhCMARIsAPZ5Rqi-BhnZNeuH23tSgx46aIme4QByRNwKy8x0pabHtWwT2xywj2mK3OYaAn6nEALw_wcB
https://www.bunnings.com.au/brilliant-12v-valla-led-deck-light-kit_p0559383
https://www.bunnings.com.au/holman-19mm-x-50m-black-poly-pipe_p3120624
https://www.bunnings.com.au/megaflo-170-x-40mm-20m-green-socked-slotted-agi-pipe-with-fittings_p0439592
https://www.bunnings.com.au/tuscan-path-10-15mm-10kg-snow-white-quartz-pebbles_p3463667
https://www.bunnings.com.au/adbri-masonry-400-x-200-x-215mm-charcoal-versawall-standard-block_p3041864
https://www.bunnings.com.au/200-x-50mm-sleeper-h4-sienna-micropro-2-4m_p0121059
https://www.bunnings.com.au/140-x-35mm-outdoor-framing-h3-treated-pine-6-0m_p8032253
https://www.bunnings.com.au/bondall-4l-inground-timber-protector_p0960509
https://www.bunnings.com.au/strol-0-5m-pebblelock-permeable-pavers_p0215399
https://www.bunnings.com.au/peak-products-black-2-tread-steel-stair-stringer_p0083610
Variety of fruiting plants including natives
Sir Grange Zoysia Grass
Various irrigation fittings
- Tools:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-expand-it-cultivator-attachment-reclva20_p0606527
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-brushless-cordless-150mm-planting-and-digging-odt1800-tool-only_p0090723
https://www.bunnings.com.au/full-boar-1500w-14-2kg-40j-30mm-hex-demolition-hammer-kit_p6290253
https://www.bunnings.com.au/sherlock-80l-light-duty-steel-tray-wheelbarrow_p3360548
- Step 1:
The first step was to clear the existing area. An old tank had to go, as well as the existing overgrown garden and fake turf. I brought in the professionals to remove the golden canes and grind down some of the stumps.
- Step 2:
At the rear of the property, I needed to pull out some old sheds that took up too much room and really for nothing. Here I wanted to create additional productive garden by installing raised garden beds for fruit and veggie gardens. The previous owner left a bunch of Colourbond sheets so I decided to re-use these. I needed to complete the raised garden beds first as I had a lot of soil to shift from the front garden. The Ryobi post hole digger was brilliant!
- Step 3:
With the rear part completed, and having excavated a lot of soil (by hand, big mistake!) from the front garden, I started to work up the retaining walls and fire pit area. I utilised the Ryobi 36V tiller to help rip up a lot of the soil as it was heavily rooted and quite difficult to dig and time consuming. Hindsight, should of just hired a Dingo, but we live and learn! At this point I also started to install some conduits for some of the 12V lighting and irrigation system I planned to install.
- Step 4:
With much of the excavation done, I started installing some of the "Retain-It" posts, along with the drainage fabric, agi pipes and then the hardwood sleepers.
- Step 5:
Next was to start laying out some of the plastic sheeting and pebble-lock to form the base of the fire-pit area. I wanted to use white pebbles and the best option I found was to lay this down with the Strol PebbleLock Pavers, so that over time, they wouldn't sink into the ground and maintained some level of stability, as well as keep the dirt out.
- Step 6:
Next came the construction of my fire pit. I opted for the Versawall blocks from Adbri as they seemed simple enough to use for my basic level of masonry ability!
- Step 7:
Next up, I started to form up some of the boarders of the garden beds with some weathering steel edging, along with some planting and the grass install! I chose Sir Grange Zoysia for my lawn.
- Step 8:
With the lawn installed, plants in and some mulch around the area, the final touches were added.
- Stepping stone pavers with pathway lighting
- Capping on top of the sleepers
- Stones down around the fire pit area
JOB DONE!
