Hardwood Decking & Garden Makeover

Oaklands ParkHardwood deckingPavingIrrigation

The brief for this extensive update was to replace the old softwood pine timber deck with new hardwood decking boards and to create a beautiful backyard with lawn, plenty of colourful plants and a paved path. Having a low maintenance garden was important, so an automated irrigation system would be installed to water the natural lawn and plants.

Landscape Design

Often a rough sketch wont suffice when there are many elements to include. With 15 different plant species, lawn, paving, timber decking and irrigation to consider, there was a lot to plan out so the project would come together perfectly, allowing all the landscaping construction work to be completed how the clients envisaged it would.

After a Concept Session was completed, the client decided to go ahead with a full landscape design that would deliver a stunning yet low maintenance garden with deck, plants, paved path and lawn.

Both hardscape and softscape plans were drawn up.

After being totally satisfied with the plans and the price to complete the project, which was within the clients budget, the licensed landscapers from Hand Made Gardens were asked to carry out all the landscaping construction work to complete the garden makeover transformation.

Replace Existing Softwood Deck With Hardwood Timber Decking

When the home was built, a raised pine timber deck was constructed with steps for access to the rear of the house. It had seen better days and needed to be replaced. As part of the overall garden makeover and to ensure it would withstand the elements for longer, the timber and much of the framework was removed and replaced.

As licensed timber deck builders Adelaide residents have trusted for over 45 years, instead of using softwoods, Hand Made Gardens suggested Merbau decking.

Hardwood timber decking will last considerably longer than pine, and when regularly cleaned and sealed with a quality oil, not painted or varnished, it's not unreasonable to expect your deck to last 50 years.

As an added garden feature, planter boxes would be filled with good quality organic potting mix and placed along part of the front and side inside the deck, planted out with vegetables.

Part one of the transformation was now complete.

Back Garden Makeover

Gravel paths with loose railway sleepers, red bark with succulents and tired, unkept lawn made up the existing backyard. The first step was excavation to remove all the existing material.

Construction of the paved path started by laying a quarry rubble base topped off with concrete sand after compaction. Concrete haunching was set either side of the red brick pavers, used to prevent movement into the softer garden beds and lawn.

As licensed paving contractors with over 45 years experience, Hand Made Gardens understand the benefits of not cutting corners when it comes to base preparation. After a final careful compaction, Pave-lok is swept out over the pavers, settling into the joints then sprayed with water.

Paving and landscaping often goes hand in hand with front and back garden makeovers and when not completed correctly can become an unsightly and dangerous mess within a very short period of time.

Subsurface irrigation tubing was placed to service the sprinklers for the lawn and drippers for the plants with 4 valves set in a box. Organic compost was dug in where the lawn and garden beds would be.

Male Sterile Kikuyu was selected for the lawn because of its drought tolerant properties. Being tough with good self repairing qualities it's ideal for children and pets to play on and looks good all year round, unlike some grasses that yellow during the cooler Winter months.

Most of the plants selected took advantage of native garden landscaping, meaning they were resilient to Adelaide's hot, dry Summers and drought tolerant. This is also one of the key benefits engaging landscape designers. Their horticultural knowledge and design flare ensures the garden looks aesthetically pleasing while being practical.

An automated irrigation system with controller was installed and set up so that different areas of the garden could be watered independently, delivering the right amount of water at the right time of the day.

Finally, a good quality mulch (Forever Black) was laid to the garden beds, holding in the moisture and giving strong contrast to the colourful foliage and flowers.

The transformation was now complete, with the clients delighted with not only how their new garden looked but with the professionalism displayed from all the landscapers who worked on the project, even through some quite inclement weather and tough conditions.

← Back to the Landscaping Portfolio