Hard landscaping is the cornerstone of any garden design. Before a single plant is put in the ground, the paving, stairs, edging, raised planters, fences, walls, retaining walls and water features should be in and ready to form the framework of the garden. Choosing the right design, the correct materials and possibly the help of a professional are essential to building the backbones of your garden. We'll cover all the options to help you make the right choice for your space.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1373620744/1680552866/articles/kIzQ354qd1680599514649/5976275185.jpg]
PAVING
Pavers are incredibly versatile in the garden, providing flat areas and pathways that invite people to explore or sit and enjoy. The good thing is that most paving can be done without heavy machinery or buckets of cement. There are also many different styles, shapes and colours of pavers to choose from.
Before you get started, decide what look you want. Pavers can be butted up against each other with just a bit of river sand brushed into any crevices, or gaps can be left for grouting. You can also add decorative pebbles or ground cover plants.
Most important when doing your own paving is preparation - make sure the area is level and has a solid base before you begin. In high-traffic areas such as pathways or patios, this is of even more importance to avoid tripping hazards. In this instance, it's advisable to grout the paving to make it a smooth surface. If you plan on doing the paving yourself, use a builder's line to keep everything level. Prepare the surface by packing it down and adding a layer of river sand to adjust and place pavers.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1373620744/1680552866/articles/kIzQ354qd1680599514649/2959219609.jpg]
STAIRS
Stairs can be perilous if not constructed properly. It's advisable to get a professional to construct these if a DIY job seems too daunting. They are great ways to link rooms in a garden, especially on a slope, and there are many options, from formal to rustic and everything in between.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1373620744/1680552866/articles/kIzQ354qd1680599514649/0070900802.jpg]
EDGING
Proper edging makes a neat transition between hard landscaping and flower beds or lawns. Often edging is a permanent solution to keeping your beds tidy. However, semi-permanent edging can also be used more loosely to define areas in gardens, particularly formal gardens that require more structure. Both have benefits.
Curved edging can be tricky to get right, but there are options for both permanent (concreted in or with a machine that makes concrete edging like the kerbs on roads) or semi-permanent (metal edging that is bendable or curves made with stones or bricks on a solid foundation to make them neat).
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1373620744/1680552866/articles/kIzQ354qd1680599514649/6279070075.jpg]
WATER FEATURES
Not always part of hard landscaping but worth a mention is water features. Small water features, rim-flowing pots and natural stone basins are easy to add in any corner of the garden, but it's the medium to big water features that need more serious planning at the beginning of a garden project.
Creating natural stone rivers and ponds isn't always as easy as it looks and planning is essential. Imagine walking in nature and coming across a small pond that's what needs to be recreated in a garden. It often takes careful placing of different sizes and colours of rocks at varied levels to make it as natural as possible.
Large formal water features and rills are perfect for large expanses of the garden ...
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1373620744/1680552866/articles/kIzQ354qd1680599514649/5976275185.jpg]
PAVING
Pavers are incredibly versatile in the garden, providing flat areas and pathways that invite people to explore or sit and enjoy. The good thing is that most paving can be done without heavy machinery or buckets of cement. There are also many different styles, shapes and colours of pavers to choose from.
Before you get started, decide what look you want. Pavers can be butted up against each other with just a bit of river sand brushed into any crevices, or gaps can be left for grouting. You can also add decorative pebbles or ground cover plants.
Most important when doing your own paving is preparation - make sure the area is level and has a solid base before you begin. In high-traffic areas such as pathways or patios, this is of even more importance to avoid tripping hazards. In this instance, it's advisable to grout the paving to make it a smooth surface. If you plan on doing the paving yourself, use a builder's line to keep everything level. Prepare the surface by packing it down and adding a layer of river sand to adjust and place pavers.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1373620744/1680552866/articles/kIzQ354qd1680599514649/2959219609.jpg]
STAIRS
Stairs can be perilous if not constructed properly. It's advisable to get a professional to construct these if a DIY job seems too daunting. They are great ways to link rooms in a garden, especially on a slope, and there are many options, from formal to rustic and everything in between.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1373620744/1680552866/articles/kIzQ354qd1680599514649/0070900802.jpg]
EDGING
Proper edging makes a neat transition between hard landscaping and flower beds or lawns. Often edging is a permanent solution to keeping your beds tidy. However, semi-permanent edging can also be used more loosely to define areas in gardens, particularly formal gardens that require more structure. Both have benefits.
Curved edging can be tricky to get right, but there are options for both permanent (concreted in or with a machine that makes concrete edging like the kerbs on roads) or semi-permanent (metal edging that is bendable or curves made with stones or bricks on a solid foundation to make them neat).
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1373620744/1680552866/articles/kIzQ354qd1680599514649/6279070075.jpg]
WATER FEATURES
Not always part of hard landscaping but worth a mention is water features. Small water features, rim-flowing pots and natural stone basins are easy to add in any corner of the garden, but it's the medium to big water features that need more serious planning at the beginning of a garden project.
Creating natural stone rivers and ponds isn't always as easy as it looks and planning is essential. Imagine walking in nature and coming across a small pond that's what needs to be recreated in a garden. It often takes careful placing of different sizes and colours of rocks at varied levels to make it as natural as possible.
Large formal water features and rills are perfect for large expanses of the garden ...
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South African Garden And Home (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 2023