Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Nov 16, 2010 12:53 am Hi, We are on a 1/4 acre block, with the house taking up maybe half the block with a small granny flat to the left. I've been reading here on and off for a while trying to work out what to do. Initially we thought synthetic lawn, but after reading here will give that a miss. At the moment we have a cubby house and sandpit right at the back, and a path down the right hand side which goes across the front of the cubby etc. The washing line is also there. The rest is dirt and weeds I've always wanted a big yard for the kids to play in. Two boys, thinking they will be out there kicking the football etc. I had pictured in my mind a garden bed along the side and grass in the middle. Problem is the maintainance, water etc. So reading here I found that you should use more plants, mulch etc. But how do you do this while still leaving lots of room for play? I don't want to have a jungle out there that can't be used, then we may as well have a small block. Do you think I am better off finding a landscaper? We did use one in the last house, but it wasn't for design, only for the plants as we have no clue about them. Re: Big backyard - confused about layout for kids & dogs. 2Nov 16, 2010 10:43 am For the dogs incorporate a run around your boundary, so don't plant up against the fence but out from the fence. Design a few spots or just two around the garden where they maybe likely to have a spot that is theirs and lay. Like a grove under some shrubs or trees. Also try keep them away when ever you plant or dig in the garden. It tells them that it is ok to dig the garden As for the kids, well they will need a run too being little animals as well A lawn area just can't be beaten and maybe somewhere for a cubby. One one job I subbed for Lisa Passmore of Inspired By Nature designed a cubby that was slatted so mum and dad could keep an eye on the kids and the kids could keep an eye on mum and dad They loved it and I think that worked better than a traditional cubby Get the kids aware of their environment. I am yet to see anything that stimulates kids minds and imaginations more than either a frog pond or a veggie patch. It is amazing! They really get into it and will be the beginning of getting them into what is a healthier lifestyle and who knows what else They really do get into it There is some great stuff here at Homeone on building veggie gardens with many different methods Have a browse of the threads As for frog p[ponds, we are building a wealth of info in here on this topic so a search is recommended and that will also mean the dogs have got something to drink from always rather than from the toilet It's actually good for them to drink from a pond Get some native fish going in them and search about for a frog swap programme in your state. Here in WA we can do that via WA Museum and the Alcoa Frog Watch website. Movement is restricted to within 3 suburbs of you at the moment here in WA due to some diseases with the poor froggies Get that down on paper with some sketches and you are 3/4 there for your design. Broise our sticvkies for getting started, use oall the stickies for ideas and getting a better idea Make sure you get the kettle on, have a pen and paper handy. Start a bookmark folder to save links you find and you are well on your way Get the soil right first, and the things you want your landscape to do with come to fruition Bathroom renovation will likely include a back-to-corner bath and we’re considering a freestanding tap with hand-held shower such as the picture included. My hesitation… 0 24692 After some ideas on making our patio kid friendly . Currently we have exposed aggregate. The patio faces west and is always in sun even though it has a shade directly… 0 3620 If this is a custom build then I would expect the builder to set out the door frame closer to the wall to avoid the gap between architrave and the wall and or specify… 9 8313 |