Backyard makeover with screening, raised beds and outdoor seating

[SmileDesigner]

Backyard makeover with fence screening, raised garden beds, water feature and outdoor seating. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mich1972]

Now that’s a beautiful transformation !!! Looks fantastic @SmileDesigner 🥰

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @SmileDesigner. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for sharing your project.

That looks sensational; you must be thrilled with the results. Did you complete this work yourself, or would you be able to fill our members in on any of the details?

I love the use of raised garden beds down the fence line. Is that synthetic turf as it looks marvellous?

Many thanks for sharing, and we look forward to hearing all about the projects you have going on around your home and garden. Please feel free to let us know anytime you need assistance or have something to share.

Mitchell
 

[SmileDesigner]

Thank you, Mitchell. Yes, I completed the full project by myself. I followed the following steps:

1. Checked with council regarding screening height requirements. Dial Before You Dig enquiry to ensure no utilities are present in the ground.

2. Removed old buffalo turf and later used it to fill the bottom half of the raised garden beds. Hired Kanga mini loader to clean up the yard.

3. Base prepared for artificial turf. 80mm layer using road base and then top 20mm using crusher dust. The ground was graded properly, so I followed it without digging much. Checked ground slope requirements throughout. Used plate compactor 3 times to ensure the base was properly compacted.

4. Setup H4 treated pine posts using post stirrups. 200 mm from the existing fence. Distance between posts was 2.4Mtr. Used Ryobi post hole digger to dig post holes. https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-brushless-planting-and-digging-tool-skin-only_p0090723

5. Connected posts using H3 Fence Rails. https://www.bunnings.com.au/72-x-47mm-5-4m-fence-rail-h3-treated-pine-premium-grade-cca_p0121161

6. Stained posts and fence rails using Merbau stain. https://www.bunnings.com.au/intergrain-4l-merbau-ultradeck-timber-decking-stain_p1520115

7. Fixed Merbau Timber screening using Stainless steel decking screws.    https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-1800-x-902mm-84-44mm-fence-panel-merbau-slats_p8500281

8. Preparation for staining done using https://www.bunnings.com.au/intergrain-4l-ultraprep-tannin-and-oil-remover_p1560403 and https://www.bunnings.com.au/intergrain-4l-ultraprep-timber-cleaner_p1563243

9. 3 Coats of Merbau stain applied.

10. Raised garden beds made using H4 200x50mm 2.4 mtr sleepers. Used 3 sleepers to get 600mm height. Covered internal sides of garden bed using heavy-duty builders plastic. Cemented approximately 800mm sleeper pieces on the front side to support front wall of beds. Internal cross-support between the front and back wall of the garden bed to prevent bowing of the sleepers.

11. Filled bottom half of garden bed using old buffalo turf with roots upside down to prevent any growth. Covered with biodegradable weed mat. Filled remaining of the garden bed using garden soil and top layer using premium garden soil to give best possible start to the plants.

12. Used blue board to cover the front of the garden bed. Used Dulux texture full cover to get render finish. https://www.bunnings.com.au/dulux-10l-texture-full-cover-exterior-paint_p1371216?store=6174&gclid=Cj... 

13. Setup irrigation with Orbit B Hyve wireless controller

14. Setup garden lighting using low voltage outdoor lights.

15. Artificial turf installed as per manufacturer's instruction.

16. Outdoor dining table made from leftover blue boards. Frame made using timber battens, blue board on top and bottom side. Expanding foam to fill empty spaces to prevent hollow noise. Covered blue board using fine coat render to achieve polished concrete finish. Bought outdoor bar stools https://www.bunnings.com.au/mimosa-malibu-bar-stool-with-cushion_p0256329

I hope it helps!

[MitchellMc]

That's an incredible amount of work to get done on your own, @SmileDesigner! I hope you got a bit of a hand along the way. Congratulations on completing a sensational project, and many thanks for coming back to us with the additional information. It really helps paint the picture for any of our members wishing to replicate your excellent work.

I can't wait to see what you'll tackle next.

Mitchell

[Noyade]

WOW! 😮

[staceybe]

Looks amazing! Do you have a list of the plants used? I love them all 

[TheHandySqirrel]

Hi @SmileDesigner,

that's a stellar effort, well done. I too love the garden bed, the variety of plant textures and colours, of ground covers and creepers. You certainly have an eye for harmony.

I also like the idea of screening the H4 sleepers, that's a great idea. My only points of thought are the artificial turf (putting aside the reasons for it), as it might introduce micro-plastics into the environment, and the lonely bench sitting in full sun without shade. Do you have any plans of maybe adding a pergola around it?

Thank you for posting all the materials, that is very helpful for future projects.

[Jason]

Hi @staceybe,

Thanks for joining in the discussion. Let me tag @SmileDesigner to see if they can share with you some of the plants used in this project. Other clever members like @BradN, @Noelle and @EricL might also be able to help identify some for you.

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. We're looking forward to reading about your own projects and plans. Please feel free to post anytime you need assistance. We're here to help.

Jason

[Noelle]

Hi @staceybe 

Would love to know your location so any suggestions we make would be appropriate. It's vital to choose plants that will grow well in your area and climate.