April - A Sea of Mud Unsightly inspection covers and uneven levels are often what faces me on building sites. It is hard to imagine this can ever become a garden.
September Using skilled landscape contractors, drains can be disguised (just visible at the back of the brick paving) and an attractive contemporary fountain stands on beautifully graded brick and flint paving which matches the house.
April - Raised beds Raised beds can allow good soil to be imported and pipework to be hidden.
Five Months Later Only five months after planting, the raised beds are burgeoning and the dog snores happily on the new brick and flint steps. Even the climbers have reached quite a height in a very short time.
April An unsightly bank has been pushed back from the house. A great deal of chalky sub-soil had to be carted away before the topsoil was replaced.
September Stone paving with a young thyme carpet around is flanked by a low wall - Good for extra seating! The bank beyond has plants that give all year round interest and colour. This planting is only 5 months old and is already providing masses of colour, even late in the summer.
April My clients find it hard to imagine that a muddy mess such as this can ever be reclaimed as a garden. It needed draining and the soil was carefully conditioned and prepared once the builders and their plant had left the site.
September The new turf survived a hot, dry summer and in a short time has established as an attractive and durable family lawn.
Finally - September Steps lead up the planted bank to the upper lawn and traditional metal estate railings do not block the very fine view of the hills beyond.