Garden design, garden planning, garden layout, planting plants and planting schemes

A DAY IN THE LIFE… of a landscaper (Days 24-25)

posted in advice category on 2009-01-06

Well as the project enters the final stages, there are still some critical elements to be completed. As the installation of the Victorian Summerhouse gets underway, we can begin to lay the new lawn, i.e., the Roll Turf lawn, and with the all the painstaking ground works completed and rolled, the process of fitting the sods is relatively straightforward, but what a difference it makes, the sudden appearance of a vivid green lawn area is impressive, not just in terms of it’s refreshing appeal but a potent cohesive element linking the hard and soft landscaping areas. With the installation of the Victorian Summerhouse and lawn completed, we could at last begin the clean up phase, i.e. washing down the paved areas and make final preparations for jointing with Rompox. Requiring dry conditions for jointing, our fingers were firmly crossed that the weather forecasted would hold up and that Day 25 would be dry and also our final day on site!

Pic 1 Paving washed down and ready for jointing

Pic 2 Pathway Cleaned

As luck would have it, the final day started very coldly, almost a sense of impending winter and low temperatures. Although conditions were dry, the temperature was too low, so we waited for the sun to rise and warm the paved Sandstone areas. By 10.30 the sun had managed to dissipate the early morning dampness, and at last we could commence the jointing of all paved areas.

Pic 3 Jointing with Rompox

By early lunchtime, the sun was high and so too were our spirits. Forgotten was the all the hard work behind us, the wet days when efforts to make progress were thwarted by persistent rain. But now in the heat of an Indian Summer sunshine, the results were there to be admired. The attention to detail was much in evidence, be it simple planting arrangements (Pic 4), or cleverly screening for example a Garden Shed (Pic 5), the imposing but elegant Victorian Summerhouse (Pic 6) or indeed the very practical but nonetheless appealing sweeping path (Pic 7).

Pic 4 A simple but striking arrangement of scented planting for the Patio

Pic 5 Garden Shed is already well screened.

Pic 6 The Victorian Summerhouse takes position

Pic 7 The sweeping pathway gently defines the lawn area

Pathways need not be straight, or the destination defined, a sweep (Pic 8) on the other hand can be reminiscent of a 'journey way' and as planting matures, aspects of the garden will become more apparent where the views will be restricted or compartments more defined. It is such instances that a sweeping path, invites the garden visitor to take the journey and discover the secrets of other areas not immediately visible. Pathways can also be used to great effect to define a particular profile or layout to lawn areas, segregate the grass from the planted areas and provides an all weather all year access to garden areas with no need or concern to walk on soft areas. In this project we have used pathway to link patio areas and circumnavigate the site, through various levels and also link through the Victorian Summerhouse.

Pic 8 An impressive set of curves!

The Victorian Summerhouse is most definitely an eye catching structure, and once again the attention to detail is most impressive. Not just a beautiful and well crafted product, it also boasts a very level of finish, including Double glazing throughout, insulated ceiling-roof cavity, so even during the cold damp winter periods, this structure should be very cosy indeed. And if the temperatures get too high during sunny periods, well one can always open the windows or indeed the French style Double Doors. What a nice way to spend some time alone, in the garden, to reflect or simply to admire Nature (Pics 9-11).

Pic 9 Crafted Beauty

Pic 10 A place in the sun!

Pic 11 A nice retreat whatever the weather

Patios areas are of course very important within the garden and perhaps none more so, when there are significant levels between House exit points and prevailing ground levels or lawn area. In this project I believe we managed to not just cleverly disguise this variance (c 450mm) in level, but did so in a very practical and eye catching manner. The end result featured two Patios (one Top level, same level as House exit and the Main or Lower level Patio) the latter accessed by means of one step down (150mm), results in an area that is readily and easily accessible to and from House. To access the garden area required two more steps and these steps were also the basis in which to determine the profile or footprint of the Patio areas (Pic 12).

Pic 12 The Patio area ready for use

The design and development of any garden project is a journey, and often one of discovery. At times it is one of enormous pleasure and excitement but always stimulating and even on those damp dreary days, when making progress seems impossible, it is always the vision of what is possible which drives one forward. To enhance a garden area through a process of creativity and construction is what binds us to our everyday task. Along the way there may be changes or indeed challenges, but like all journeys it can be steeped in reward and intrigue. And when an overlooked or forgotten empty space re-emerges as an inviting synthesis of plants and structure, well indeed, it is a journey that we repeatedly take with pride and confidence.

Pic 13 Enter at your leisure