The Invisible Garden
Part 1 - The Importance of Garden Bed Preparation
Building a new garden is more than just planting flowers and laying down turf; it begins long before the first seed is sown, or the first shrub is planted. At TSA effective ground preparation is a critical step that sets the foundations for a thriving start and long-lasting success.
Here’s why it’s so important to spend the money on the things you don’t see:
1. Stripping Back
Before the build-up comes the clean out! A bit of targeted destruction is always a good way to begin the renewal process.
Identify Services: By locating existing services such as water, power and sewer you can ensure that new works will not damage or interfere with your new landscape installation.
Clearing the Area: Removing existing weeds, grass, unwanted plants, landscape elements and soil contaminated with weeds or waste. Hiring an expert with a machine to suit the size of your garden can be a solid investment to save hours of back breaking work.
A proper clean out prevents new gardens being troubled with old problems.
2. Drainage and Earthworks
Effective landscaping requires good drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
Grading: Reshaping and mounding garden beds adds visual depth and character and can also be used to direct and control water run-off, ensuring that the landscape slopes away from structures.
Sub-Surface Drainage: Involves targeted trenching, lined with geofabric and filled with slotted pipe and scoria. Sub-surface drainage can be connected into existing stormwater by a licenced plumber. It is vital in the construction of landscape walls; in garden beds surrounded by hardscape; for optimum lawn health.
Drainage is crucial for the health of plants and the longevity of hardscape features.
3. Soil Preparation
Healthy soil is the cornerstone of any thriving garden. Ground preparation involves assessing and improving soil quality:
Soil Testing: Identifying pH levels, nutrient content, and organic matter.
Amending Soil: Loosening compacted soil improves drainage and air circulation, benefiting plant roots. Adding organic materials like compost can enhance nutrient availability and improve soil structure.
Shaping Beds: We build-up our garden beds with a blended mix of premium topsoil and Permafert from our favourite Ballarat Suppliers – Dela Landscape Supplies. The imported blend is always incorporated into the top layer of the existing soil.
Well-built beds promote better root development, water retention, and nutrient uptake, all essential for robust plant growth.
4. Irrigation
Even the best gardeners can struggle to meet the irrigation needs of garden. Many hours can be spent on the end of a hose or moving around sprinklers with unsatisfying results:
Drip Irrigation: We recommend drip irrigation in garden beds. Drip hose puts the water where it’s needed, reducing runoff and evaporation. It allows for deep watering at more infrequent intervals to encourage strong, deep root growth and increase drought tolerance.
Pop-up Sprays: Pop-ups in lawn areas provide green lawns year-round. Lawns are health and thick, creating less opportunity for weed infestation. Green lawns provide natural cooling in the landscape.
Installing an irrigation system can really pay off, ensuring your plants needs are met and saving you valuable time – better spent enjoying the garden!
5. Plant Selection and Placement
Understanding the characteristics of the prepared ground helps in selecting the right plants for the space. Different areas may have varying soil types, sunlight exposure, and moisture levels:
Assess Microclimates: Identifying sunny vs. shady areas aids in plant selection.
Create Optimal Conditions: Adjusting soil and layout ensures plants thrive in their designated spots.
Plant Quality: Source your plants from a proven supplier. Ensure they have good health and structure with no signs of pest, disease or pot-bound roots.
Quality plants that a suited to their location already have a starting advantage.
6. Weed Control
Proper ground preparation will help to minimize weed problems. Weeds will also thrive where soil is exposed:
Plant Density: Consider your planting plan and ensure you have adequate plant coverage for your garden beds. A robust ground cover is one of the best long-term methods of reducing weed growth.
Mulching: Applying a good layer of mulch (60mm) can suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil. We use a premium product call ‘Screened Longs’, supplied by Dela Landscape Supplies.
Taking these steps early on can save time and effort in the long run.
Long-Term Success
Ground preparation is an essential but often overlooked aspect of landscaping. By prioritizing soil health, controlling weeds, improving drainage, considering irrigation and selecting suitable plants you can create a vibrant and sustainable landscape.
Taking the time to prepare the ground is an investment that pays off in the long run. Well-prepared soil leads to healthier plants, reduced maintenance, and fewer pest problems. A well prepared and thought-out garden can thrive with less intervention, providing lasting beauty and functionality in your outdoor space for years to come.
Part 2 - The Importance of Foundations & Finishes
The quality of a landscape is not just in the materials you select, but the work that goes into their foundations and finishes. At TSA we implement a range of techniques to ensure our hardscape elements are built to last.
Here’s why it’s so important to spend the money on the things you don’t see:
1. Compacted Toppings
Toppings provide a great surface for garden paths and budget friendly hardspace, but they can become weedy, eroded or boggy if done poorly.
Foundation: Ensure a well compacted base is installed first with appropriate fall and drainage.
Finish: Choose the right toppings. Toppings should include an element of fines that allow it to be compacted to a firm surface with minimal loose material. Toppings should be compacted in layers.
Proper preparation addresses drainage issues. Well compacted toppings reduce weed establishment.
2. Steppers
Without adequate preparation steppers will shift overtime and can create a tripping hazard.
Foundation: We set our steppers into a mortar bed on a well compacted base. The mortar is haunched around the stepper for a solid finish.
Finish: The compacted base can be scratched out from between steppers to install lawn or drip irrigation and soil for groundcovers.
Steppers are a great addition through well walked paths in lawn or meandering paths through gardens.
3. Paved Surfaces
Paving on sand can be suitable for short-term solutions or where a semi-permeable surface is required. Its longevity is often compromised with movement and weed growth between pavers:
Foundation: A concrete slab provides a solid foundation that minimises movement and weed growth. Depending on your material of choice, pavers can be laid over a slab on a mortar bed or installed by a tiler. We use a tiler whenever possible to achieve a premium finish.
Finish: Sealing your hardscape areas protects the material from staining, can be used to increase slip resistance and make cleaning easy.
Putting extra preparation and protection into your hardsurfaces creates a robust and durable surface that saves time and money in the long run.
4. Landscape Walls
Walls in the landscape are a great way to create terraces or feature elements, but if done poorly can lead to expensive damage and repair or become seriously dangerous. It’s important to remember that any wall over 1 meter high must be designed by an engineer:
Foundation: Whether its retaining or freestanding, a strong foundation is critical to ensure safety and longevity. Consult a professional if you have any doubts. Retaining walls should always have drainage incorporated behind them. A lack of drainage allows water to build up behind the wall, contributing to the potential for failure and damage.
Finish: There’s a huge range of options available from timber to steel or stone. Consider a combination of budget, skills required, purpose and design aesthetic when making your choice.
Doing you homework on the most appropriate wall design for your situation can avoid costly or dangerous outcomes.
5. Steps
Whether they’re a series of landings through a sloped garden bed or a grand exit off the verandah, steps in the landscape are a great feature. While landscape steps don’t generally have to comply to with the Australian Standards for stairs, there are still some important considerations:
Foundation: Ensure there is sufficient space for your steps. 150mm is an ideal riser height and landscape treads tend to be more generous with at least 300mm depth. Risers and treads should be consistent for maximum safety. Use larger landings every 6-10 steps to allow for rest. Consider handrails where ability or safety needs additional consideration.
Finish: Within a garden bed some good options include stacking large stone slabs or constructing timber or steel risers with compacted toppings treads. Stone and timber options for more formal steps are practically limitless. Consider what materials tie in with your house and garden style. If you want to incorporate step lighting, be sure to consider this at the design stage and allow for fitting type and access for installation.
Desing your landscape steps to suit your purpose and add safe and functional amenity.
5. Screens and Fences
Screens are a great way to visually block out or separate areas and good fences make good neighbours, but a poorly built or considered screen can become an eyesore or a danger. Screens and fences are often regulated with-in the building code, particularly when on a boundary, so be sure to do your homework to avoid fines or neighbourly disputes:
Foundation: Consult with a registered builder or landscaper to determine if your screen or fence will require permits and/or engineering.
Finish: Consider whether your structure is to become a feature or a subtle element in the landscape. Sometimes attempting to screen an unsightly element can draw more attention to it. We love using posts and trellis wire as a low budget option to brighten a wall or fence. A neutral boundary screen can be a great way to backdrop a garden or let your imagine run free to create a sculptural masterpiece.
Consider how screening might benefit your garden design and increase your privacy.
Long-Term Success
Hardscape elements are a feature in the landscape. They are big ticket items that can turn into costly mistakes if they are designed or implemented poorly. It is essential to do your homework or consult with a professional to create elements that will comply with regulations where required.
Taking the time to consider the foundations and finishes of your hardscape elements is an investment that pays off in the long run. Well designed and constructed elements will give you the peace of mind to enjoy the lasting beauty and functionality in your outdoor space for years to come.