Front garden landscaping

[kingj]

Hello experts,

I am looking for creative ideas to landscape my front garden. The sandy soil in Perth makes it challenging to grow colorful plants in the beds, so I am exploring alternative options.

Here are some key points:
1. I do not want to retain the existing palms but One of the palms had already fallen, leaving a stub, which is difficult to remove. I am concerned about how to manage the removal of the remaining palms effectively.
2. I have considered adding a pond, but the electric meter at the corner requires accessible space, so I need to work around it. Kids would love a pond or any water body.
3. Open  to using stones or pebbles (like in the attached photo) but am unsure how well they would blend with the rest of the garden.

I would appreciate any suggestions or recommendations on how to approach this and design the space effectively.

Thank you!

 

rest of garden for reference 

 

 

 stone /pebbles idea

 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @kingj 

Merry XMAS

Your  Palm stumps will become soft and rotten soon enough and hitting it with a matock should chip away at it untill it is at ground level then it is up to you how deep you want to go getting more out.  As it rots away other plants will take its place if you plant them.

Given  Perths  sandy soil Consider making raised garden beds  say 300 to 400mm this will allow you to add organic soil and plant any thing you want.  Perths climate semi tropical?

You can also  use a hard shell plastic pond shape  for your raised fish pond.   I like using pool fencing laid across a  pond as it is designed as a pool barrier. Going horizontal is the same as vertical if the water is cover and at the same time allows  pond viewing in saftey.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @kingj,

As @Jewelleryrescue mentioned, using a mattock to break down the palm stumps should make the removal process easier as they rot. If you're looking for a more immediate solution, you could consider employing the services of an arborist to remove the existing stump and manage the removal of the other palms.

For your front garden, considering Perth's sandy soil, raised garden beds are a great idea. You can fill them with a mix of organic matter and quality soil to provide your plants with better nutrients and moisture retention. Adding a variety of colourful, drought-tolerant plants like succulents, native Australian plants, or ornamental grasses can create a vibrant and low-maintenance garden.

Regarding the pond, I think it would be a great addition, especially for the kids. To work around the electric meter, you could position the pond in a corner or along the side of the garden, ensuring that there's still easy access to the meter. If you choose a smaller pond, you could even consider a raised one, which would allow you to incorporate stones or pebbles around the base for added texture.

Using pebbles in the garden can work really well as a landscaping feature. Just ensure you choose a type and colour that complements the rest of your garden. A gold western pebble or scoria could suit the look. You could create pathways or use pebbles as mulch around the plants, giving the garden a clean, modern look. It would also help with drainage, especially in sandy soil.

Here are a couple of helpful guides: How to plan a garden makeover and How to give your garden a makeover.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[kingj]

Thank you for your suggestions. I am not a fan of succulents or native plants. While I have had quite a few succulents before and they can look nice, I find them a bit boring. Native plants are fine, but they often have small, dull flowers, and I prefer something more colorful with larger blooms, like different varieties of roses.

For the raised beds, if I stick to planting flowers, would it be possible to remove 15–20 cm of sand from the current beds and replace it with soil? This would also help match the beds with the rest of the garden .

That said, I am leaning towards a total revamp, perhaps with fewer flowers and plants overall, but I am still exploring ideas.

As for the palm stump, I have been hammering away at it for over a year now without much success.

[MitchellMc]

When it comes to plant selection for your garden @kingj, it’s important to balance your preferences with the practical consideration of choosing plants that will thrive in your local climate and soil conditions. Perth’s sandy soil can be challenging, but with some preparation, you can create a flourishing garden that suits your tastes.

If you’re not a fan of succulents or native plants, that’s perfectly fine—there are plenty of colourful and vibrant options to explore. Roses, for instance, are a great choice if you’re looking for larger blooms, but they will require good-quality soil and consistent care to thrive. You might consider taking a drive around your neighbourhood to see what plants are doing well in similar conditions. This can inspire you and help you find varieties that fit your aesthetic preferences and grow well in Perth's environment.

Replacing 15–20 cm of sandy soil with nutrient-rich garden soil is a viable option for flower beds, but keep in mind that the new soil must be deep enough to sustain the roots of your chosen plants. Over time, roots might extend into the sandy layer beneath, so adding soil amendments like compost or organic matter to improve the sandy soil can also help. Once established, your plants will be better equipped to handle these conditions.

You could also stop by your local Bunnings store and speak with the Nursery experts. They’ll have valuable insights into which plant varieties will thrive in your area and align with your preferences. Their guidance can be especially helpful for creating a garden that’s both beautiful and low-maintenance.

For the palm stump, if hammering away hasn’t yielded results, it might be time to consider enlisting the help of an arborist. They can safely and effectively remove the remaining stump, giving you a clean slate to move forward with your landscaping project.

Let us know how your plans evolve, and feel free to share more ideas or questions as you go.

Mitchell