Garden makeover with paving and turf

[JanelleR]

Our project was a true transformation — we ripped out the old raised garden and installed proper drainage to create a solid foundation. The heart of the space is filled with potted plants that traveled with us through years of renting, now finally given a permanent home and a new lease on life. We laid fresh turf, irrigation, pavers, weed mat, mulch, and decorative white stone to bring structure, beauty, and ease of maintenance. What was once an overgrown, unloved yard is now a peaceful, personal oasis — a space that reflects our journey and roots us in our very first home

Materials

drip line irrigation 

weed mat

mulch 

soil

water saver 

fertiliser

turf

pavers

concrete

drainage pipe

plumbers glue

white decorative stone

brick edging 

Tools

string line, 

spade

trowel

wheel barrow

pipe cutters

level,

concrete mixer

Steps

Step 1

Let the games beginAt this stage I remember thinking what a way to make our mark on our first home, "This is going to be so good"

Step 2

Before digging out existing plants, and raised gardens.Taking it back to basics,Still motivated by the potential,. Our prized pot plats that have remained with us on our rental journey were so close to getting planned to grow without limitations of pots

Step 3

Its starting to come together !!We removed the existing plants, and shade cloth that wrapped the fence line, this opened up the area and made it feel less restrictive, we wanted to do these plants justice and set there new home up right. this included, plenty of fertiliser and water saver with warmer QLD summer weather on its way 

Step 4

necessary back breaking, oh and mud, lots of mudWe had noticed the existing pergola's down pipes were not connected to the storm water, if we didn' set this up now we would have paid for it during the wet season. It was pure luck we found the existing storm water that was buried under existing turf.

Step 5

Drip line irrigation set upstring line marked out the boarder for our brick edging, Drip line water feeder secured around our plants 

Step 6

Turf laid, not the best job but this was with my L plates onPiecing it all togetherI remember not quite being ready for the turf but we were gifted it so had to stop progress on the garden and turn my novice experience into laying turf

Step 7

After mapping out the lay out.We removed enough of the existing groundto set the foundations for the paversThis was great to see it all coming together, ensuring the ground was nice and even in surface. there was a lot of going over the same areas multiple times, Using the string line really helped to keep us working within our set areas

Step 8

Crusher dust to compact the groundweed mat and concrete to set the pavers in placethe finish touch decorative white stoneI learnt something, while it may have been easier to just chuck the pavers down and cover the surrounds in stones, Setting them with concrete, using weed mat ensured long term they stay in place and up keep is minimal 

Step 9

The real pinch me momentwe couldn't be happier with how this turned outwe are obsessedwe created a perfect little retreatyou wouldn't recognise it from first phototo last photo

[EricL]

Hello @JanelleR 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your garden makeover project.

What a wonderful garden transformation, having your plants transferred into the soil has given it a new look and feel. I suspect you won't be able to recognize them after one season as they will now be able to extend their root system and flourish without being limited by their pots. The pavers and pebbles give your garden a beautiful formal finish making it relaxing and easy to explore. 

Again, thank you for sharing such an excellent garden project.

Eric