You'll have a much better feel once the fences are up.
I concreted the three sides of my house through the builder for $3,500. I think it is worth it if you can afford it. It just makes it all feel neat, and provides some stability for the slab.
Sadly $3500 for concreting isn't in the budget at the moment. I have some mates that have done a fair bit of paving at their houses and have offered to come round and help me with mine. It will just be one of the last things I look at costing I think. The dead side running down past the kitchen will deffo just be woodchips/mulch though. The only reason I'll need to venture down there is mess around with the aircon unit.
I've already got a lemon and a lime tree, some herbs, and a few natives. Getting them established in large pots so they're ready to go when I move in. I think an avocado will be the other one to try and get - between those and limes, the savings at the supermarket will see me pay off the mortgage a few years early!!
First home builder - Brightwood Estate, Baldivis.
Celebration Homes. Follow my build here
Yep, lemon and lime trees pay for themselves! I had some chili plants and a nice herb garden at our current house but sadly when I went to Japan for the wedding the lack of rain in April meant everything died. The only thing to grow back has been the parsley.
I do have a massive pot of aloe vera though that I can put into some garden beds.