How to build front garden bed?

[mrslee]

  

We have recently bought our new home and have a small bed at the entrance. Been quoted quite a bit for concrete around the edges so we thought we’d skip that for now and create something that’s a bit more neat. It is currently mulched up but my worry is that once winter sets and rain pours in, it may start smelling or become a breeding place for creepy crawlers.. thinking of a flower bed along the outer edges and filling the rest of the area with white stones.. we would like to consider adding a bench to use as a sit out and even add a religious statue along the flower bed! Happy to consider ideas but would like some assistance on how to go about the project. Would also like suggestions on annual flowering plants preferably blue. It’s our first diy so we’re a little nervous. Appreciate any help

Mrs. Lee

[EricL]

Hello @mrslee 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your front yard patio.

I suggest building a raised garden bed so that your roses and other plants you decide to put in will have a measure of protection from insects on the ground. The corner of the raised garden bed can be modified into a small shrine where you can place your religious statue, and the edge of the bed can be covered in Merbau timber to serve as seating for the garden bed. I've placed a sample image below to give you an idea of what it can look like.

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular raised garden beds.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to build a raised garden bed by @Adam_W. 

Let me call on our experienced member @Dave-1 and @mich1972 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good morning @mrslee 

I was having a think about your question as I was pushing stuff around for work, past gardens ect....

My favorite thing is actually keeping an eye out when I am driving or walking and looking at peoples gardens. Maybe taking a bit from this one and a little from the next.

I was trying to think of something different from @EricL 's suggestion, just so you could see what you might like.

I was looking at pavers as I trundled my trolley along, and was thinking a short path, curved even but narrow maybe 400mm wide.

Starting from the patio nearer the piller, the path goes straight then curves towards the corner. With the corner itself paved 600 by 600 to put a religious statue on a pedestal. The straight part of the path you can install one of those park styled benches on the high side. The pavers fro such a path I would actually lay them on compacted soil, then a little sand and have them tight knit to each other to lesson weeds. That way if you change your mind in a few years the sand isnt a worry to the rest of the garden.

On the low side is where I am think some bright spots of colour. Country Value Lobelia Cambridge Blue Flower Seeds and also some mixed other colours. Something to look at and tinker with as you sit and relax on the seat.

Behind the seat to the window area. I am thinking of some small hedges. Mmmmmm Just trealised that the drip zone from the house eaves will mean its effectively dry a lot of the time. Maybe push the path upwards a little so the seat fits closer to the window and thatw ay you ahve more garden bed in front. I would use those white pebbles under your seat area on teh high side of the path, make it 50mm - 70mm deep the higher the better to stop weeds and make them easier to pull out when they do pop up. (I am not a huge fan of weedmat, I would rather a thicker layer of mulch.)

The last is the garden edge. Two options one being maintence free, one requiring a bit of upkeep. The maintence free option is a timber sleep along the edge. It will be solid for several years and you can dig teh garden without a worry.

Second option, the one I like more so. Is the same type of pavers you use for the path (I am thinking rectangular pavers the surface size of a brick) Laid on their side against the edge of the concrete, so maybe 3cm sits above the edge of the concrete and the rest sits bellow. Tho this way when you dig/weed the garden you will have to realign them. I think the effort would be worth the look over a timber edge.

Some small bright shrubs amongst the flowers that only grow say 50cm high would be a good addition. 200mm Grevillea Winter Delight - Grevillea lanigera Lavandulacea 

Dave

Dave

[mich1972]

Good afternoon @mrslee Thank you for sharing a photo and details of what you would like to do. Super exciting to see what you will create !! May I ask you please : 

How much sun / shade does it get ? 
My concern is that it is right under the eaves of the house. We would just like to get an idea so we can advise what type of plants to grow there. I certainly agree, a raised garden bed would be ideal 😀🌿

[mrslee]

Hi Eric,

Thank you so much for your suggestion, really appreciate it. However, I’m not sure if I’m equipped to build a garden bed myself. I think I’d like to look into Dave’s idea with pavers but would like to clarify a few things with him. 

Appreciate your response 👍

[mrslee]

Thanks Mich, the area is mostly shaded but the outer edges (say about 1/2 meter) gets sunlight. We do have a huge tree sitting just opposite in the front yard but there’s quite a bit of filtered light that comes through. 

[mrslee]

Hi Dave,

Thank you so much for your time on this and sharing your suggestions.. I do like the idea of using pavers and feel it’s quite doable. I do have some questions though..

1. Which pavers are you suggesting? Is it the bricks style grey pavers?

2. I’m a little unclear about the pathway you described.. does it start from the pillar on the left and moves toward the other end for the pedestal? Also, what’s the high and low side? We’d like to have the bench along the window area..

3. For the edging, do I use pavers just along the concrete or even inside along the house? 
4. What tools would you suggest for this task and is there an instructional video to lay such pavers? 

thank you so much! 

[EricL]

Hi @mrslee 

Let me tag @Dave-1 to make him aware of your questions. I believe the pavers would serve as a type of border for the plants that Dave has suggested planting. 

Eric

[EricL]

Hi @Dave-1, 

Can we please request for a quick sketch of your idea of how the pavers will be laid out? Can you also please indicate the sizes you had in mind?

Thank you.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Morning @mrslee and @EricL 

hahahah I was about to respond with text and then saw the sketch request Yeah, can do. Tho will have to do it after 10:30am my time when work slows a little. 

This is the size I was thinking of for the paver tho Brighton Masonry 200 x 100 x 50mm Cream Mypave 215 Paver 

1. Which pavers are you suggesting? Is it the bricks style grey pavers? 

1A - I was thinking the old school red pavers but the ones I linked above would look good as well.

2. I’m a little unclear about the pathway you described.. does it start from the pillar on the left and moves toward the other end for the pedestal? Also, what’s the high and low side? We’d like to have the bench along the window area..

2A - Will sketch my idea out later today.

3. For the edging, do I use pavers just along the concrete or even inside along the house? 

3A - The sketch will show it easier

4. What tools would you suggest for this task and is there an instructional video to lay such pavers? 

4A - A Rubber mallet, a large flat head screwdriver, gloves and safety specs. (So easy to do)

I havnt put a project together yet for the paving I am doing for my spa but here are a few pics from the laying of pavers.

General area I was paving. I used gravel as I wanted a very free drainage and have found it works well. For you I would use paving sand as its only a small path and will be low on traffic plus who wants gravel in the garden beds!

Main tool I used. Note paver sitting 5mm high

Place one hand this end of paver and belt the other end, then switch ends and repeat. The paver will align itself nicely once it hits that sweet spot

By holding the paver (on the left side for this shot, just push down gently) you stop vibrations tthat happen when you tap the paver that will walk the paver out of true

Sweet spot ohhhh yeah

The tools I used And yep I did take these photos to put a project together (You should as well as it would be a nice way to duccument your project and also show how it is done!)

Will do the sketch later.

Dave