I need some help making a decision. In the front yard, we have dug out the concret paving, and we are going to replace that with a wooden deck running the full length of the house. Under the paving, is the original large sandstone blocks.
I have taken these paving stones and layered them to make edging around the lawn at the top of the back garden.
Because of all the roots from the trees, I thought I should raise the level of the beds too.
Does this look right? I thought maybe to add a third layer. Or am I wasting my time (and energy) completely?!
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Thanks dbd. That's what my hubby is saying, I am making more work for him by possibly having to bring the edge trimer out. But I have left a gap between the grass and the wall, so the wheel of the mower can fit there. I seem to be mowing the lawn more than dh, and I managed fine.
I don't think a single layer would work at the back, as there are so many tree roots, that I can't dig to get the stones lower than the grass. So a wall it will have to be.
If I do the front with a single layer, I'll make them lower than the grass.
Well that sandstone is a nice find and it looks like you have oodles of it. Sort of like finding buried treasure.
I like your ideas and just wanted to add that you might want to make sure the single layer is low enough so you can run over the grass with lawn mower. If it's too high you just bought yourself extra work with an edger every time you cut the grass.
Also have you considered making various levels at the back? Some places 3, some 2 or whatever to make it sort of undulating. That might add some extra interest. On the whole, I think you are going to have one nice bunch of stone work.
thanks Dawn for the vote of confidence. I have spent most of this day carting wheelbarrows of the playsand under the paving stones to the kids sandpit. Now that is backbreaking! So when I have recovered, I'll change the curve of the wall and add another layer.
What a great find! No, I don't think you are wasting your time. I love how you have used them in your back garden. It looks great!
I think in the front I like the idea of making a path in the grass the best. My reasoning is that they add what I'd call a bit of whimsy and adventure, and I think that's best not straight and 'formal' like the front edging. I'm seeing the path in the grass as a little less formal and possibly even curved, so that's why it gets my vote.
That's what I'm wondering about. Whether to do only a single layer, but then the bed won't be able to be raised, or go another layer. I am planning on changing the curves before I do this, take out some grass.
So three layers will look better than one layer? I can do the single layer in the front.
I like it but I would go for a third level.
And then in front, I was thinking of these two ideas to use the stones. One is a single layer of the stones for edging, with a row of bush roses in the bed, and the other is a walkway leading from the driveway over the lawn to the steps of the deck. The deck will be ground level, no gap underneath, only one or two steps to the sloping lawn.