Complete garden design in Bishopston

This was a very interesting project for us due to the variety of work involved and the decision by the clients to use some unusual and high quality materials.
There were certainly some challenges to overcome such as the narrow street which meant barrowing materials from the end of the road and then through the house, but this is a common problem in Bristol and just required a little extra planning and manpower.
The job took just over two weeks to complete from start to finish and both ourselves and the clients were very pleased with the result.
There were certainly some challenges to overcome such as the narrow street which meant barrowing materials from the end of the road and then through the house, but this is a common problem in Bristol and just required a little extra planning and manpower.
The job took just over two weeks to complete from start to finish and both ourselves and the clients were very pleased with the result.

Stage 1. Clearance
As you can see from the image (right) the garden comprised largely of square concrete slabs, an old pergola and some tired old planting beds.
Everything had to come out so that we could start from scratch and so began the process of filling four skips via a winding route through the house. We used a variety of floor and wall protection to ensure no damage was caused and to allow us to move more quickly back and forth.
Approximately two days were spent on garden clearance down to soil level. This was a little longer than expected due to a thick layer of concrete found beneath the slabs.
As you can see from the image (right) the garden comprised largely of square concrete slabs, an old pergola and some tired old planting beds.
Everything had to come out so that we could start from scratch and so began the process of filling four skips via a winding route through the house. We used a variety of floor and wall protection to ensure no damage was caused and to allow us to move more quickly back and forth.
Approximately two days were spent on garden clearance down to soil level. This was a little longer than expected due to a thick layer of concrete found beneath the slabs.
Stage 2. Drainage and levelling
As the main garden area was on a higher level we needed to ensure that rainwater could find a way out in order to prevent problems associated with waterlogging. This was achieved by sinking a land drain (French drain) along the house to direct water away, through the new step wall, and then into the existing gulley on the lower level. We connected the existing downpipe from the roof into the same system to simplify things and reduce the number of exposed pipes and gullies.
Once the drainage was in place we leveled the ground as required and then brought in 'type 1' stone to act as a sub base for the paved areas. We always do this as soon as possible as it makes a much cleaner working environment and saves mud being trodden around the site.
As the main garden area was on a higher level we needed to ensure that rainwater could find a way out in order to prevent problems associated with waterlogging. This was achieved by sinking a land drain (French drain) along the house to direct water away, through the new step wall, and then into the existing gulley on the lower level. We connected the existing downpipe from the roof into the same system to simplify things and reduce the number of exposed pipes and gullies.
Once the drainage was in place we leveled the ground as required and then brought in 'type 1' stone to act as a sub base for the paved areas. We always do this as soon as possible as it makes a much cleaner working environment and saves mud being trodden around the site.

Stage 3. Steps
Steps, if constructed properly, are always a fairly time consuming task and so we began these fairly early on so that they did not hold us up later into the job.
The clients had requested the use of 'bull nosed', matching the pavers that were to go into the lower area. I found some standard reclaimed bricks at a local reclamation yard that matched these well.
A more detailed step by step description of how the steps were made can be found in my blog post 'How to build garden steps'.
Steps, if constructed properly, are always a fairly time consuming task and so we began these fairly early on so that they did not hold us up later into the job.
The clients had requested the use of 'bull nosed', matching the pavers that were to go into the lower area. I found some standard reclaimed bricks at a local reclamation yard that matched these well.
A more detailed step by step description of how the steps were made can be found in my blog post 'How to build garden steps'.

Stage 4. Fencing and path
Trellis topped fencing was employed along the left side boundary partly for privacy and partly to cover an unattractive low wall.
To help tie in the upper and lower garden areas matching bull nosed bricks were to be used for the path edging. A winding route was decided upon to provide some visual interest and vary the shape and depth of the left side planting bed. The edging was set in concrete to ensure the bricks would not be vulnerable to being knocked out of position in the future.
'Type 1' stone was compacted along the base of the path followed by a weed proof membrane and then some decorative black and white chippings. The path itself leads to a concrete pad on the far left of the garden where a summer house will sit.
Trellis topped fencing was employed along the left side boundary partly for privacy and partly to cover an unattractive low wall.
To help tie in the upper and lower garden areas matching bull nosed bricks were to be used for the path edging. A winding route was decided upon to provide some visual interest and vary the shape and depth of the left side planting bed. The edging was set in concrete to ensure the bricks would not be vulnerable to being knocked out of position in the future.
'Type 1' stone was compacted along the base of the path followed by a weed proof membrane and then some decorative black and white chippings. The path itself leads to a concrete pad on the far left of the garden where a summer house will sit.

Stage 5. Paving and raised beds
Sleepers were set on edge in concrete to provide a narrow raised bed along the lower section. Fresh topsoil and compost were introduced to prepare for planting. The clients are keen gardeners and so asked for beds to be left bare for their own attention.
Block paving was laid over the remaining lower section to act as a functional walkway to the main garden area. The pavers were of the same variety as the bull nosed bricks and so the areas tied together seamlessly.
Sleepers were set on edge in concrete to provide a narrow raised bed along the lower section. Fresh topsoil and compost were introduced to prepare for planting. The clients are keen gardeners and so asked for beds to be left bare for their own attention.
Block paving was laid over the remaining lower section to act as a functional walkway to the main garden area. The pavers were of the same variety as the bull nosed bricks and so the areas tied together seamlessly.

The finished product!
The brief for the project was to provide an attractive and functional space to enjoy spending some quiet time relaxing and gardening.
In this case the clients had a fairly good idea of what they wanted and we helped refine the design and suggest different options in terms of materials to be used.
The garden was left as work in progress in terms of the planting and maintenance and this was always the intention from the start.
The brief for the project was to provide an attractive and functional space to enjoy spending some quiet time relaxing and gardening.
In this case the clients had a fairly good idea of what they wanted and we helped refine the design and suggest different options in terms of materials to be used.
The garden was left as work in progress in terms of the planting and maintenance and this was always the intention from the start.
"We are delighted with the work that Dave and his team did for us. Our garden required a complete make over and the way in which Dave responded to the challenge was professional in every way. He proved to be reliable from day one. He listened to our requirements and went out of his way to meet them. The work done was of an extremely high standard and was completed within a very acceptable time scale. It was a pleasure to have Dave and his team around."
- Teresa and Stewart, Bishopston
- Teresa and Stewart, Bishopston