Hello All,

I have gotten so much out of these forums when looking for ideas to build our house so I have decided to create a thread to share our landscaping journey, get feedback, share ideas and everything in between.

My goal is to do it all myself (DIY) where possible unless its financially not sensible!

With the purchase of our land, we were entitled to a $3000 landscaping coupon. I have decided to carry out the landscaping myself and reclaim the $3000. Only problem is I have 6 months to do it from handover (in 3 weeks).

I plan to complete the front and then move on to the back, where it will be more work involved and I will be able to take my time!

This is the plan

FRONT LANSCAPING FEATURES:

- Front Retaining Wall (Made up of planter box)
- Brick Rendered Letter box
- Steps lead up between letterbox and retaining wall planter box
- Some ornamental pear trees and other trees on boundary side
- Other small plants in planter boxes
- Fully automated retic (leading towards Hunter X-Core) with rain sensor installed
- Empire Zoysia Turf (as per Fu Manchu method) – possible with subsurface irrigation.
- Simplistic garden lighting
- Pot plants near entry
- Small trees to cover front window (master bedroom) for privacy.

REAR LANSCAPING FEATURES:

- Planter boxes on some boundaries
- Empire Zoysia Turf (as per Fu Manchu method) – possible with subsurface irrigation.
- Timber decking in alfresco
- Lime tree planted somewhere
- Small herb garden
- Fully automated retic (Hunter X-Core)
- Garden lighting
- Trees and plants in planter boxes
- Open top pergola in front of alfresco
- Exposed aggregate under pergola
- Alfresco kitchen with BBQ and Pizza Oven
- Tiles path with surround with loose stones to go from front to rear of property.

Aim is to use waterwise plants and natives for all plants (except for lime tree and herb garden).


I am working on a plan for the front of the house and will post up soon in 2D plan view and 3D hopefully.

Here are a few snap shots of the blank canvas

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Cheers,

Wrexter

Reserved

After enjoying reading through your build thread i look forward to seeing what you do with your landscaping.

haha thanks JMatthews!

I promise to not dissapoint!

I wish you all the best with your DIY Landscaping. It's hard yakka at times but very rewarding in the end.

I am under no illusion that it will be easy but im very keen on doing it properly and doing it right.

It will be very rewarding if i get it done.

Concreting, brickwork, gardening, rendering, retic is all new to me so i have been learning alot online.

Did alot of woodwork in my high schooling days and i was quite good at it as i love hands on work so hopefully it will come in handy when i tackle the decking and pergola.

I also have friends who are welders, renderers, have access to concrete mixers, studying horticulture etc who are willing to help so that will come handy.

Another thing which i am hoping will help, i will use my years of experience in 2d drafting and 3d modelling to plan out all of the landscaping designs so that it all goes as smoothly as possible.

The 2 best things I ever bought were a String Line and a String Line Level. Cheap, doesn't need batteries, no instructions necessary, and it's always accurate. Perfect for the DIY'er

Already on the 'To Buy List'

Already own a wheel barrow, trowel, level, drill so need to add to collection.

I will also probably get onto making a water level which will come in handy for concreting and decking.

I would be lost without my Wheelbarrow. A post hole shovel is also a must. I bought a cheapy Ozito Circular Saw and a pair of saw horses from Bunn1ngs which was a worthwhile investment along with a couple hand clamps.

Can't wait to see how you go wrexter.

Me too

Im actually really getting into it all and i am really keen o getting stuck into it.

I am suprising myself!

I find myself, when at the supermarket or at the newsagents, instead of picking up a car related magazine etc., picking up landscapeing and gardening magazine.

That is not normal for 25 year old male

hahah

Maybe not wrexter, but still so much fun!

indeed its alot of fun. cant wait to see how it all finishes off

Definately going to be alot of fun, but wont be without its challenges!

Biggest challenge with front landscaping is going to be getting the concrete foundations rights and the brickwork. A friend will help with rendering. ALso seeing up reticulation and garden lights!

Still trying to find the perfect design for the front. Hard finding photos on the net for inspiration.

Great video on MP Rotators sprinklers that Fu Manchu reccomends;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj_3ifs16Cs

I was thinking of going sub-surface for turf, but i think i will go MP rotators.

As for controller:

Thinking of the Hunter X-Core 8 Station or the Irritol Rain Dial 9 Station

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Of course with a wireless rain sensor attached.

Need to finish my landscape design first before being able to look at the full retic design.

I got the irritol kwik dial installed with rain sensor as part of my landscaping package, I'm told it is one of the better ones regarding water use as I am in a waterwise estate - I haven't been living at the house but I doubt its doing much watering lately!!

Do you live in the desert wrexter? Can't believe there's only sand on your block..

Hahahaha no not int the dessert, just sandy old WA! I am going to have to do a bit of work on that soil!!!

wow are you serious? So the builder or whoever didn't just put a whole heap of sand on your block and spread it around? You actually started with a sand pit?

wow!

Lol Charlie, that's pretty much what we all deal with over here.