Lockdown projects...

Discussion in 'New Members Introduction' started by MsScotty, Apr 4, 2020.

  1. MsScotty

    MsScotty Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi to all you fellow gardeners.. I’m not going to lie, I’m a total novice in the garden. But we finally moved to our forever home and I wanted the outside to be an extension of the inside.
    I have created a tree/shrub border (probably got it a wrong but we can talk about it in more detail in a bit). My plan was always to have a builder create our patio space but with the strange times in front of us we decided to give it a go ourselves.
    i have one question a little chicken and egg question...

    We are building a patio at the top of the garden with the same stone used around the houses smaller patio and pathways, it’s a 3.6 x 4.2mtr base which we are enclosing in railway sleepers as a border. We have dug out the turf and are ready to place the crush and run... but what comes first? Do we place the sleepers to give is the straight edge to work with the hardcore base or not?

    sorry for the essay guys especially as my first introduction... I’ve lots more questions but I’ll get to them later..
     
  2. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    This might be useful for reference although I expect you have already trawled through plenty of DIY stuff on patios... How To Lay A Patio For Beginners - PatioMate

    Lay the patio first, then edge with the sleepers. Why? Because then you don't have to worry about cutting as many edge pieces as the sleepers will be placed abutting the finished edge rather than having to cut blocks to fit a defined space.
     
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      Last edited: Apr 4, 2020
    • Loofah

      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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      And put up some pics please! :)
       
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      • Kristen

        Kristen Under gardener

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        :sign0016:

        You've come to the right place. You get value for money here, so ask two people and you'll three opinions :heehee:

        +1 :)

        If not too late: making a roughly shaped heap of stacked turf, grass-side-down, will rot down in a year or so to make lovely "loam"
         
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        • MsScotty

          MsScotty Apprentice Gardener

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          Thank you, does make sense... the only thought I had was that with the frame you’d be getting a fab opportunity to really ensure your ground was level.. but either way the digging out could be done afterwards if necessary for the sleepers..
          thanks again and pics to follow..
           
        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          Bear in mind it's better to be more generous with the base than stingy...
           
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          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

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            Welcome to Gardeners Corner MsScotty.:)
             
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            • CanadianLori

              CanadianLori Total Gardener

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              Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you'll have a lovely place to enjoy the upcoming good weather :)
               
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              • MsScotty

                MsScotty Apprentice Gardener

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                It’s certainly coming along thank you all so much, we’ve created a lovely shrubbery chamelia, magnolia shrub and cherry blossom tree... think it will be lovely when it blossoms...
                we did end up laying the sleepers first but only because we struggled getting the slabs delivered.
                 

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                • MsScotty

                  MsScotty Apprentice Gardener

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                  And we finished it....all apart from the recessed solar lights all around the patio... thank you all for your help B25F4C2E-0C94-4FE8-B343-29C40D29CF03.jpeg
                   
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                  • Perki

                    Perki Total Gardener

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                    Looks great well done :dbgrtmb:. I'd be tempted to have a pergola above it
                     
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                    • Upsydaisy

                      Upsydaisy Total Gardener

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