Work on new patio starts today

They've now finished the patio and paths There are a few areas I'm not happy with (I'm a perfectionist) but not really something that can be changed now.

The dogs (and cat) are certainly enjoying the space!









Lots to do once the builders have taken all their stuff away. There will be a phase 2 which will be the patio by the house, but for now it's done and they've just got half a day tomorrow to sort some bits out on the roof and then I can get my garden back and start my part.

The lawn, which wasn't great anyway because of the dogs, is now a total state, so I'm going to give it some tlc. The borders by the wall need lots more top soil and then planting up. The border on the right is narrower so I'm going to have to move the plants back towards the fence. I also want lots of planting to cover the edges of the wall and paths to soften the edges. Couple of fence panels will be replaced and then painted, the pots will need shuffling about and washing down cos they're full of mud and dust from where they've cut the paving stones. Can't wait to start it all - hopefully the weather will be nice this weekend and I can get on with it.

 

Love it, love it, love it!

Cat: this is my toilet square - get your own!
Brown eared dog: *Sniff, sniff* Well, I'm kinda thinking it would be a good toilet square for *me*!
Blacky Black Tail: Oi, brown ears ... that one's *mine* - grr!
Blacky White Tail: OI!! GRRR! You can all bog off it is *my* toilet square: I marked it first!
(Blacky Black Tail and Brown Ears take their bickering over for Buddha to sort out. Meanwhile, Cat washes paws in satisfaction from the most entertaining dog fight )

 

It's looking great Merleworld and it'll be even better when you've got it how you want it.

 

Ordered a couple of fence panels this morning and they are being delivered today between 1 and 4. That's service for ya

 

Tis looing goo merleworld, and your dogs are loving it...

 

...Merle it looks fabulousWhat a great spaceGreat to see the furry kids enjoying it too.Those coping stones on the wall really set it off too

 

Thank you for sharing your project with us @merleworld.
I have enjoyed looking through this thread, and seeing the transformation.
It looks great

 

Thanks guys

The fence panels were installed yesterday with the help of my lovely neighbour and I've just painted them today. The patio is full of mud because they had put all my large planters on the lawn, which was more like a mud pit, so when they put them on the patio they were caked in mud underneath. Where I've dragged them to move them away from the fence (far too heavy to carry) they've left trails of mud, so I'm going to have to give the whole lot a scrub down. That will no doubt wash away the paving sand in the cracks so I'll have to do that again. Builder did leave me a bag just in case.

So much to do before I get it how I want. I was shovelling soil about yesterday to try and even it out and fill some gaps. Couple of hours later I went out and my darling dog had dug a big hole and chucked soil all over the patio. I've filled the hole and put rocks on top so he can't get at it. He'll no doubt dig somewhere else though, so I'm going to have to put some temporary fencing around the border.

I have got some bare roots I need to put out including half a dozen hostas but will start those off in pots first. Should be looking good by this time next year once I've planted up the gaps in the borders.

I hadn't realised quite how much sun the bit behind the garage got - it's a mix of sun and dappled shade, which will be perfect for my Rhodos and I suspect it's going to be my favourite spot in the garden for a nap on a sunny afternoon, once I get my lounger out there

 

Either that or laying chicken wire on the surface of the soil ,the little tinkers won't want to dig in that

 

Never thought of that Loli - I've got some plastic mesh which I use to fence off parts of the garden so if I stake that down he won't be able to dig. Mind you I still need to stop him getting on the borders if I have any hope of keeping the perennials from being trampled and/or wee'd on

 

Before and After pics of what has now been christened 'Rhodo Corner' - fence panels have been installed and painted, as has the back fence.

 

Super smart Rhodo Corner you have there ... it is just begging for a little chair for me to sit on and a glass of something cold for me to drink while I take it all in

 

What perfectly MAGNIFICENT specimens of Rhodo,
Jenny

 

Thanks Jenny, I do love my Rhodos and it's nice to be complimented on them

M - that corner is full of sun during the day and because of the garage it's completely private. A lovely little nook which, when the weather is better, will soon see me spending a lot of time there

Just need to paint the back of the garage with cream paint - maybe that's tomorrow's job.

 

It's looking very smart Merleworld!