Major Garden Overhaul - Outdoor seating area
A lovely couple in Gaddesden Row came to me with a project that was somewhat different.
When they bought their house, it came with about an acre of land that was segregated into three fields with fencing and gates. The middle field also housed a sheep shed, a small, dilapidated shed and a much larger newer shed.
The initial brief
The brief was to make the fields into one large garden area, remove the sheep shed and the dilapidated garden shed, and then to create a 90ft gravel path to the larger shed, as during the winter the grass path to the shed became waterlogged and proved to be too muddy and impassable at times.
The project was split into two phases.
Firstly, the cattle fencing was taken out between the fields, down part of one side of a neighbour’s hedge and at the top end of the field. The sheep shed was then deconstructed and most of the wood was salvaged and reused by neighbours, whilst the concrete base was broken up into hardcore ready for the construction of the new path. The dilapidated shed was given away to a local neighbour who was able to reuse it.
The second phase was then started a month later. The new 90ft gravel path was created and built. The hardcore from the base of the sheep shed was used, whilst the soil and grass from the newly dug out path was then used to back fill where the hardcore had been taken out. The hardcore was compacted down, with some MOT type1 and then the gravel laid on top. The existing paving slabs into the shed were reused and relaid to give an even access into the entrance.
The 2nd brief
Once all these works had been completed, the couple then mentioned that they were looking at re-landscaping their back patio area, as it wasn’t big enough to entertain in and enjoy the fantastic views afforded of the garden.
The brief was to create a dining area and a separate relaxed chilled area, being on differing levels, and to connect both these areas to each other, as well as to the pathway that had already been created to the shed. The brief was to also include for several areas for planting, retaining existing flower beds where possible and creating new ones.
The challenge then was to come up with a design that both satisfied the client and the brief.
A design was agreed upon and work commenced.
The existing raised brick beds were taken out and a part of the lawn taken up. Upon taking out the lawn and flower beds, an old well was discovered. This was subsequently capped and the design was amended take into account its location.
The large concrete base was broken up to be used as hardcore.
The dining area was to be on a raised area, close to the house. The raised section was made out of sleepers, with some wide sleeper steps leading up to the dinning area. Hardcore and MOT 1 was compacted into place, with a circular stone rose installed in the centre of the area, so that a circular dining table could be placed atop. The surrounding was then filled with gravel. Leading away from the dining area to the rest of the garden, a gravel path was installed with a bespoke pergola framing it.
The chilled seating area was subsequently formed out of sleepers, along with a raised bed to the rear. The rest of the hardcore was compacted into place, and the area was filled with gravel. The existing path was also connected to the chilled seating area. The last place to be finished, was closest to the house, where MOT hardcore was compacted down and gravel placed on top, to link all the areas together.
The following spring, the beds were planted out, roses and clematis were planted around the pergola for the finishing touches. Part of the existing garden was re-landscaped, with new turf laid, to ensure an easy transition from all areas.
“Our garden needed a big overhaul including structural changes and re-levelling. Andy was able to work with us to achieve our dream garden layout, with great skill and dedication.
We are so pleased with our garden now and would highly recommend Andy to anyone in need of an excellent landscape gardener who is lovely and reliable.”
— NICOLE AND DANIEL, HERTFORDSHIRE