Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jun 25, 2010 9:38 pm Hi guys, have been seriously reconsidering my back yard.. will be moving in about 4 weeks. Rather than put down all lawn which is what i was going to do, I was thinking of paving the backyard with a border of water wise plants around the edge. My question is, will it be more cost effective to pave the lot rather than go for turf? Re: Someone help me! 2Jun 25, 2010 9:47 pm Do you want grass or paving regardless of cost? Wouldn't turf be cheaper? Re: Someone help me! 3Jun 25, 2010 9:58 pm to tell you the truth.. i would love paving, i know its quite expensive, but thought it might be cheaper in the long run.. save on water, retic etc. I honestly have no idea how much paving costs though, and then there is the cost of getting someone to lay it! Re: Someone help me! 4Jun 25, 2010 10:05 pm I know Sparkles. We are in a similar situation. We could either get some decking or pave a particular area or go for grass. Lots of maintenance and watering. I'm not a fan of the idea but the other half is. We are having some paved areas, gravels, sand etc. Paving can be expensive. What about doing it yourself to save on costs. Such nice paving out there. Maybe get some quotes and see what you are in for. Re: Someone help me! 5Jun 26, 2010 12:30 pm Your first consideration shoudl be: how will you use your back yard? That's really going to dictate what elements you should incorporate. If you do go for paving, make sure you have nice wide garden beds, so you can plant some shade trees and decent-sized plants, and maybe even some productive plants (fruit trees, veggies etc). Skinny little borders, like many people seem to do, will leave you no room for plants of any decent size, no shade for your house and will make your yard hot and unpleasant in summer, especially if combined with paving. I'm not a fan of lawn, BTW - it's a huge waste of water and a lot of work to keep it looking decent, but in some cases it's a good choice. Kids like somewhere to run and play and whack a cricket ball....so if that's going to be required now or in the future, maybe consider having some lawn. Re: Someone help me! 6Jun 26, 2010 2:52 pm Sparkles, Do you have a soft/hardscape ratio that you need to adhere to as far your Council goes? www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: Someone help me! 7Jun 26, 2010 3:29 pm thanks for all the info. we have decided to go for pavers, making a border with them - like stepping stones, and having 4 seperate garden beds in the middle, if that makes sense. will then mulch in between the pavers and around the plants. thinking of natives or something similar, not entirely sure yet. each garden bed will be 2m x 7m. Hi there, long-time lurker but first time posting. I've bought a house 2 and a bit years ago and last year we had some major water damage on a converted pergola area… 0 7897 Yes, unless you are in a low intensity rainfall area or the area is protected from rain. Do you have access to NCC Part 2 or can you download it? I can email you a copy… 10 12458 Thankyou so much 😀 I've decided on White on white for doors and trims, White on white 50% on ceiling and Mt buller for walls. Fingers crossed it will look OK 😀 2 7137 |