York Garden (winter 10/11)

Full hard landscaping overhaul in a small garden

This was a job we did for a lovely retired couple living in large, brick terraced house in the centre of York with a smallish, narrow garden to the rear.

Being keen gardeners themselves the planting areas were wonderful and although the garden was nice to start with some of the hard landscaped areas were getting a bit tatty and unsafe in the wet and cold months.

We worked from a drawing designed by a Garden Designer friend of ours called Amy Lilly (whos number we can provide if you are interested)

The design incorporated Amys favourite brick edged circular patios, pathways and decked seating areas.

As you can see certain areas needed a change and the clay tiles to the right, which formed the old paths were extremely slippery and dangerous in wet weather.

As you can see above, we removed a large Silver Birch tree (which was chopped into fire wood and used by the client), took up all the old pavers and gravel, filled in the old pond with rubble (after safely re-housing the fish!!) and levelled it all out ready to start with the transformation.

Winter 2010/2011 hit us hard and kept us off work for well over a month in total!!

Our designer is a big fan of brick patios like this and we think they look great. These are in fact new bricks fired to look old. If you tap bricks you can tell whether they are suitable for use as a patio. The higher pitched the sound, the harder they are. A soft brick should not be used as they will crumble in cold winters.

These patios take longer than usual, but we think they are definately worth it.

A mix of brick and stone areas compliment each other brilliantly.

The curved lines give more interest to an already interesting seating area.

For those who question why we are made to study mathematics, here is a reason why. A good grasp of pie, pythagorus and areas is needed to create truely amazing gardens.

Steps up the next level of the garden. Again using the brick edged theme.

Once pointed up the steps and low level are almost complete and I think youll agree look great.

The top level of the garden has another circular seating area, however this one has the Indian Riven Stone in the centre of the brick outline.

The old decked area is replaced by a new deck bench made from chunky timber.

Treated timber like this should last a good 50 years at least if built correctly.

A bespoke timber arch was built on site. These can be bought relitively cheaply, however a good craftsman can build a nicer, sturdier, all together better piece for a little bit more, but not extortinate.

And so the garden is complete and ready for planting. The clients being keen gardeners wanted to plant it themselves, but we can incorporate a lovely planting plan should you be clueless about plants.

The view up the garden

The view from the top of the garden

The completed deck bench area