Creating a new Garden

I usually have a picture in my mind of how it’s going to look.
The first job is to get out the garden hose a lay it on the ground approximately the shape and size of your new garden.
You can then give it a nudge here and there with your foot until you think the garden is the right shape and most importantly has the right ‘curves’.
Then go around the edge of the hose with a can of marking paint (Bunning’s sell for about $6.00), now you can see your future garden.
Next is to run a spade around the outer perimeter of the garden, take about 100mm depth of grass /soil out and enough width for the pavers and rocks.
I usually lay the pavers first, I use a 50mm paver, and my preference is the ‘Black and Tan’ paver. I lay these pavers on a 50mm bed of wet cement; it does not have to be deep as they all bond together. For tools I use a rubber mallet and a small line level, this makes sure all the pavers are level. It is a fairly easy task to lay the pavers once you get going. The beauty of the pavers is that they make a great mowing strip.
Next comes the rocks, these sit about 50mm back from the pavers, again these sit on a small layer of wet cement, don’t worry about gaps between the rocks as later you will fill these with a strong mix of black coloured cement.
Now fill the gap between the pavers and rocks, just run a trowel along the wet cement and smooth over. Any run off can be cleaned off with a bucket of water and a wet rag.
I then point in-between the rocks using black coloured cement and a ‘pointing tool’, this is important as it gives the garden a great finish.
Now, inside your new garden you have either poisoned the grassed area with Roundup or removed the grass. The first new layer is usually compost or manure, then the soil; it does not have to be great soil because with a bit of work ‘YOU CAN MAKE IT GREAT SOIL’ then another layer of compost/manure on the top followed by mulch. You will be surprised how quickly the soil improves, don’t forget the seaweed liquid it’s a great soil conditioner. Do not use a soil or organic mix which has less than 70% soil. A pure organic or low soil mix will shrink and eventually reduce to virtually nothing over time.
All that’s left is to dig your plants in, and again don’t forget to liquid seaweed them in after planting as the seaweed prevents transplant shock.
Hope this is of some help.