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We recently moved into a house in Perth and have a very sad looking front yard.
My plan is to remove all the weeded area, place a line of bushes along the fence line for some privacy, install 4 raised garden beds (for which I’ll also add some shade to) and the remainder of the area to be gravel/pebbles with some stepping stones.
I’m looking for some advice on firstly how best to gravel/pebble the area to avoid future weeds. Can you lay some sort of concrete type product and then add gravel/pebbles on top? Or lay weed matting then gravel/pebbles and then some sort of product to fill the gaps? Does any type of option like this exist?
Additionally I’m looking for advice on what sort of privacy bush I could plant along the fence line that would grow to approx 2metres, something fairly thick to give privacy. We are located in Perth so it would need to be able to handle heat, the soil is basically sand but weeds grow insanely well in it, we’ve already gone through and removed a lot and sprayed and they’re still coming back.
any ideas you could share would be appreciated, thank you
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @rff91. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about landscaping a front yard.
To prepare the gravel/pebble area and prevent future weed growth, start by thoroughly clearing the area of all weeds, roots, and debris. Use a non-selective herbicide to kill any remaining weed seeds and give the area a clean slate. Next, compact the sandy soil using a plate compactor to create a stable base. Once the surface is even and firm, lay weedmat. This mat acts as a barrier to weeds while still allowing water to drain through, preventing waterlogging. Spread a 5-10cm layer of gravel or pebbles evenly over the mat for durability and aesthetic appeal. For added weed prevention, consider spraying periodically with path weeder.
For privacy along the fence line, choose hardy shrubs that thrive in Perth’s sandy soils and hot climate. A great option is the Syzygium australe (commonly known as Lilly Pilly), which grows quickly, tolerates sandy conditions, and forms a dense screen up to 2 metres tall. Other choices include Viburnum tinus or Dodonaea viscosa (Hop Bush), both of which are drought-tolerant and provide excellent coverage. Enrich the soil with compost before planting to improve water retention and give your plants the best start. Regular mulching around the bushes will further enhance soil quality and suppress weeds.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
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