Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Oct 24, 2011 10:25 am We built on a sloping block and after the cut and fill was done it of course left us with a lovely steep slope from the level plane to the paddocks. We are very busy people and time is getting away from us, the whipper snipping takes about 3 hours on our place and the horses cant help when its wet as they just dig the place up (bothers hubby not me so much) We are after some landscaping ideas, i know whatever we do its going to be a lot of money as the slope runs for a good 60 metres. But we are hoping to find a few ideas that may help. Hubby has considered tiering/stepping it (our retaining wall behind the house is two steps, each a metre higher then below level. Here are some pics, any ideas would be greatly appreciated Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 2Oct 26, 2011 10:38 am The house looks beautiful with that stunning backdrop. I would just plant the slope out with some hardy native groundcover and shrubs, I would ask my local nurseryperson as they will know what grows well in your area. Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 3Oct 26, 2011 10:59 am Leave it as natural as you can, although I can picture standing on the balcony looking down on a large Koi pond, this can be done cheaply with black grano plastic, you would have to build up to come to the same level as the poles. Then plant out with lots of rushes around the pond for frogs This depends on safety for small children ect...... I love ponds and have always wanted one that I can have under a balcony Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 4Oct 26, 2011 12:08 pm What gorgeous place! I agree with Ballabil, I'd plant it out with natives shrubs and ground covers, good quality mulch, add some natural rocks of the area, perhaps a path winding down or some steps. Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 5Oct 26, 2011 12:28 pm What a beautiful setting! Looks great. I love the deck. As Ballabil said, I would use native groundcover, something low growing and low maintenance. I'm not sure where you are, but there are some beautiful groundcover Grevillias that would do the job. I'm guessing it is North facing, judging by your solar panels- so lots of natural light. You shouldn't have any trouble finding something suitable to grow there. We have a sloping site also and have cut and fill, we were planning on planting it out, but landscaping a set of steps down the centre with bush rock or something so we can access the lower area easily. Maybe this is something you could consider? Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 6Oct 31, 2011 9:14 am thank you for your suggestions! And thank you for your compliments! We are on the central coast in NSW. Very pretty area! And the deck, that was my creation (much to my husbands horror who had to lay all 92sqm of the decking himself), it really makes the place!!! Silly question maybe, but will the ground covers dominate over the grass or will i have to weed matt underneath? Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 7Oct 31, 2011 2:05 pm I agree with everyone else - gorgeous place!! love the deck - always wanted one myself! What we did with the front garden in our old house was poison the grass, put all your plants and groundcovers in and then mulch heavily (don't use weed mat). Any weeds that grow through spray them and after a few goes they will give up! Should look fab!! For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 9Oct 31, 2011 4:03 pm Not a silly question ... could be a possibility .. perhaps you could lay some sleepers around the area to be mulched just so they hold it in - no need to cement them in just lay them on top of the soil - what do others think? For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 10Oct 31, 2011 4:15 pm You can lay chicken wire the large gauge one, then plant and mulch. Not so sure mulch will stay in place,slope looks quite steep. Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 11Oct 31, 2011 5:11 pm Chicken wire is a good idea and I've also seen plastic mesh used with great success. You really only need to hold the mulch until the plants have grown as they will then hold the mulch in place. Under the deck would be perfect for ferns and orchids and I agree with Excited about a fishpond, I'm about to get a second one up and running in the next few weeks as (fingers crossed) the fish will start doing what fish do in Spring and I'll have little fish!! One of the waterlillies has a huge bud at the moment, I first noticed it late on Thursday and it is getting fatter by the day, hasn't opened yet but I'm execting a huge waterlilly when it does. Water Iris bloomed a couple of weeks ago and some of the water grasses have been blooming for a few weeks. You could have a series of fishponds spilling from one down to the next across the width/depth of the bank. You'd only need a pump to recirculate the water to the top again. Some great solar pumps available now although I've found they usually can't handle the same volume as a 240v pump, but I have a couple of solar aerators. Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 12Nov 01, 2011 9:25 pm Yes I could imagine standing on the deck looking down on something Like this Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This is what I want to create under and around my big paperbark tree. But of course not everyone loves this type of garden, I just find it very therapeutic and soothing when I'm near something like this. HappyCamper I love your ideas and would love to see pics of your garden Re: Ideas needed, what would you do with this? Cost Effectiv 13Nov 01, 2011 9:57 pm Thanks Excited....I'll get some when the next stage is completed. The pond setup was really rushed because the tank they were in (temporarily) decided to leak on all seams and there was nowhere for the fish to live...other than the spa!!! Fortunately there was a pond on eBay about 30 mins away and digging a hole in black sand is easier than some soil types. The second fishpond is a very, large pottery bowl with a submersible pump, so again quick and easy to setup. Thanks to rainwater tanks there's always plenty of nice clean water for the fish. That pond photo looks so peaceful, many years ago I was at a house with a really big pond where they had a pontoon with a hammock. Really nice!! Your paperbark tree will look great with a pond near it, the water will be stained with tannin but will be OK, just look like tea!! You could have a palm frond and bamboo pontoon. I just love water gardens and hope to have one with edible plants such as water chestnuts and water cress etc. Bought in Nov 21 at the height of the market (classic). Good area, atrocious floor plan. BUT has land out to the left-hand side that we can extend out on (see second… 0 6692 Thanks mate. Yeah good points! Leaning towards Option 3 to get a bit extra space in the cabinets but not going too crazy high (and expensive). Would require a mini… 13 30511 Hi It came to my attention after the handover that - The facade cladding on the face and the side are not straight. -The face tapers down by 50mm from left to right and… 0 888 |