Work on new patio starts today

Work has moved on quite a lot today We now have some wall and a flattened bit (well it was until the dogs put their ickle pawprints on it.




The problem I've got is that the border is quite a bit higher at one end. There's another course to go on top of the wall. I'm going to have to try and level it out somehow. I can dig the Acer out and replant it but there's no chance with the Hazel. I wonder if I pile the soil higher round the base would it die off or would it be okay? The soil that is piled up against the base of the fence will be used to fill in the gap between the border and the bricks.



The narrower bit of the border is necessary because the fence height is raised. I didn't want a wide border all the way along and if it was dug out to ground level it would compromise the posts. The bricks on top of the soil will be removed, then it'll be filled with soil but I've yet to decide whether I'll put some shade loving perennials/annuals in there or top it with gravel and put some of the Rhodos in front of it.



I'm pleased though that the brick isn't as 'red' as I thought it was going to be.

 

It's coming on a treat Merleworld.

 

They're going to cap it with the same brick, but without the holes in.

 

Today's progress (starting to look like a patio now)...





Turns out that they can't get any of the engineering class b bricks without holes so they are going to cap with a different brick, although it might be a slightly different shade.

 

Builder's back today (had a day off yesterday). I can't decide whether to cap the wall with buff textured flat coping stones, or whether to do it with red brick (I've got some old ones here which have been dug out) or whether to do it with yellow or blue bricks.

Would appreciate some advice!

 

Buff textured coping stones, they'll tie in with the patio flags.

 

I agree Merleworld.....coping stones.

 

Merle,you must be so pleased it looks amazing I'd go for the buff coping stones too I think

 

I am very pleased so far Loli - it's increased the usable space in my garden massively.

Builder was on his own yesterday and carried on in the pouring rain. Latest pics.



Please excuse Beau having a little - mishap


They are back tomorrow and should be finished by Tuesday (they have to build a path either side of the lawn as well so I suspect they won't be).

 

Clearly testing the absorbency of the new patio

It is all looking wonderful (The patio ... not's Beau's mishap )

 

They're back today and should hopefully finish the patio and top the wall off with the coping stones. He's not charging me any extra for rebuilding the part of the wall I accidentally knocked down before the mortar had dried

They still have to finish rubbing down the gable end with the wire brush so they're going to sort my guttering out as well, it was leaking like a sieve at 3am this morning - it was only done 18 months ago too (not very well).

I'm going to get him to price up the patio by the house next - it needs to be redone so I'm going to have it widened at the same time. They have dug up a load of lovely old bricks from the patio area so I've asked him to reuse them to build a small retaining wall by the other patio. Not only will it look great but I love the idea of re-using them. He said if I was to buy them they would cost over a quid each, so I'll save myself some money too.

 

Patio paving is finished and the plants have been moved off the lawn and back onto the patio. Can't move them into position yet because he's still got to do the coping stones and I also want to replace those panels behind.




Pathway number 1 has been started - I was in two minds whether the stagger the paving stones but went for straight edges in the end, which will be softened by the planting at the sides.



So much space to fill in the borders now - I've already started shopping for perennials because I want them chock full of plants.

 

Coming along really nicely