Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jan 18, 2011 9:01 pm Hi all. I am keen to take up the project to do the landscaping for my new home in Tarneit, Victoria. I am looking at creating a basic rock garden, nothing too fancy. So far, i have gathered the following information about how to go about this: 1. Hire a Dingo machine (maybe with a machine operator) to dig up the landscaping area. Not sure about the depth here, I assume it would be about 2 feet. 2. Hire a green waste bin for removal of extra soil, etc. 3. Pin down black plastic sheets across the landscaping area to prevent weeds. 4. Lay down top soil/garden mix soil on top of the black plastic sheets. I have done a bit of research on this and found a few varieties of soils for between $45 and $90 per cubic metre. Depending on the density of plants/shrubs, the quality and price will go up. 5. Have 2-3 varieties of pebbles + some medium rock varieties to lay down on the top soil. I suppose 2-3 cubic metres of pebbles and about 2 cubic metres of medium rocks should do the trick. 6. Get 8-10 units of some type of plant to be planted along the driveway edge. I need to research this a bit and find a good variety. 7. Get 4-5 cubic metres of crushed rock/toppings to be laid on the nature strip area. 8. Finally, get some pavers/edging strips/sleepers/artificial turf to finish off the shopping list. 9. Maybe add a water feature and some solar lights and my job's done. Anyone think of any extra steps that might be added to the list above? All suggestions and tips are welcome. Thanks in advance to all. Land Contract signed: 03/12/2009 Building Contract signed: 14/12/2009 Land Settlement Date: 01/02/2010 Plans approved by Council: 02/03/2010 Construction Start Date: 05/03/2010 Keys handed over: 28/09/2010 Move in date: 01/10/2010 Building the HILLCREST 2600 with Simonds Homes New landscape in West Melbourne 2Jan 19, 2011 6:41 am Skip the plastic sheets as it won't prevent weeds and will just turn your underlying soil sour. My signature has a link to a rock garden that I did in my backyard - may be of interest - also in Melbourne's west. No plastic, just liberal use of mulch suppresses weeds from underneath and weeds that come from other sources will come in anyway. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: New landscape in West Melbourne 3Jan 19, 2011 8:40 am That is quite something, TDL. Very inspirational work there with your backyard. I think you are right about weeds popping up regardless of the black plastic sheets. And yes, I guess mulch would be a good idea too. Did you go for top soil or the garden mix variety for your backyard? Land Contract signed: 03/12/2009 Building Contract signed: 14/12/2009 Land Settlement Date: 01/02/2010 Plans approved by Council: 02/03/2010 Construction Start Date: 05/03/2010 Keys handed over: 28/09/2010 Move in date: 01/10/2010 Building the HILLCREST 2600 with Simonds Homes New landscape in West Melbourne 4Jan 19, 2011 11:01 am I went for a mix I've used previously which I get from the local landscape supplier - it's a combination of loam, mulchy bits and it's got some manure in it. Everything grows like the bejesus in it. Just as background the backyard I basically did which is what the link is to. The front was done by the previous owner and they had used the black plastic - I pulled it all up and re-mulched because the soil was sour and compacted underneath...water would just run straight off. About 9 months on from that the plants are so much happier... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard New landscape in West Melbourne 5Jan 19, 2011 11:04 am ....there are some really good links on here for organic soil sources, I'm on a mobile so linking is a bit awkward but try FuManchu's links for the good (s)oil. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: New landscape in West Melbourne 6Jan 21, 2011 3:50 pm TDL, I can see how the black plastic sheet will cause more harm than help. I am definitely going with the mulch below the top soil. Also, had a look at FuManchu's links and found some really inspiring stuff on the posts he recommended. Will keep looking through the links and posts to finalise the type of plants. Can't wait now! Land Contract signed: 03/12/2009 Building Contract signed: 14/12/2009 Land Settlement Date: 01/02/2010 Plans approved by Council: 02/03/2010 Construction Start Date: 05/03/2010 Keys handed over: 28/09/2010 Move in date: 01/10/2010 Building the HILLCREST 2600 with Simonds Homes Re: New landscape in West Melbourne 7Jan 22, 2011 11:00 am Just wondering if anyone has had issues with leveling the top soil section and if it sinks in over time. Land Contract signed: 03/12/2009 Building Contract signed: 14/12/2009 Land Settlement Date: 01/02/2010 Plans approved by Council: 02/03/2010 Construction Start Date: 05/03/2010 Keys handed over: 28/09/2010 Move in date: 01/10/2010 Building the HILLCREST 2600 with Simonds Homes Re: New landscape in West Melbourne 8Jan 22, 2011 11:10 am Digging soil does fluff it up a bit and yes it does settle a bit. If it's for garden beds then just top it up with mulch, if it's for a lawn area after 6-12 months or so top dress it with some organic soil and that will help build it up again 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: New landscape in West Melbourne 9Feb 27, 2011 10:49 am Hi mate I live in your local area and have done quite an extensive Japaneese style garden which If i do say so looks quite magnificent, with Granite rocks and other stones etc, happy for you to come around and offer advice and tips if you like. Just send you email address and i will contact you. Cheers Landscape Design Parramatta We have been doing a large amount of landscape design work in Sydney… 0 3 Need advice on the backyard plan above. Should I excavate and cut all of the dirt to level with the house slab or semi-excavate as per photo above? Both left and right… 0 25055 Thanks very much! And would the landscaper/contractor generally involve the engineer or is that something the client would do? Thanks for your help 2 10189 |