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My beautiful new patio area..:))

Janey

By Janey

35 comments


I’ve been wanting to do something with the outside area at the back of the cottage, for such a long time and in the summer I decided to bite the bullet!
Knowing what I would like and wondering if it would work has been quite a challenge.
The area is concrete and over the years looked sadder and sadder. The thing was I didn’t want it all taking up, that would have been a huge job so I plumped for a resin bound surface and I love it!

Here there’s been some digging work as parts had to be levelled. The raised bed has been installed.

Sleepers were placed around this part that had been made as a base for a summer house.

The raised bed has its new topsoil.

Permeable tape is laid down over channels, before the resin is spread. The stone based resin is permeable too, so the rain water goes back into the water table.

The resin begins to be spread, how sunny it looks!

Looking good on this side too.

Finished now, I m really pleased with it. I’ve put all the spring bulb pots in the bed for now, Poppy and Teddy had their eyes on all the new soil!! Once I’ve planted it up properly, I’ll cover it with slate or bark.

Next spring I’m hoping to have a summer house or new seating on here..I’m pleased it does compliment the old stone walls.

And then the snow came..Lovely new Gaultheria Big Berry. I’ve potted it up for now, but it is planned for that corner, then I can see it from the kitchen..

Well I am so pleased with it, and every day looks like a sunny one now..:)

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Comments

 

Janey ,your choices are excellent..I know it took longer than you expected but well worth it...I like the effect and the similar colour of the brickwork. Next summer I can see a seating area developing there....Good to look forward to.Enjoy it x

1 Dec, 2021

 

Thank you Julia. Yes, the blocks onto the lawn and at my kitchen step are brindle which tones with the old bricks too. I had to remove everything and put things away in the garage, and I think I'll leave them there till Spring, I like it nice and new..:)) The undercover area, second to last pic, normally houses a table of geraniums, cat house and hanging basket. The cat house is back and maybe a winter hanging basket will be good..

1 Dec, 2021

 

Janey, I think the finished effect has definitely been worth the wait as it all tones in so well. Which aspect does the wall face? Sunny or shady? I only ask as I wonder if you shall have wall climbing plants. Well done on placing all those pots together - hard work!

1 Dec, 2021

 

Thank you Shirley. That side faces north. It is shady all winter. Do you know, I have so many climbers, a bit further up on this same wall, Paul's scarlet rose and hydrangea petiolaris, along with the Boston Ivy, that I'm planning on just planting the bed. I need to down garden haha!

1 Dec, 2021

 

What a terrific transformation Janey … it all looks so good. I do love a raised bed too - great idea πŸ™‚. You can look forward to sitting out there in the spring now! x

1 Dec, 2021

 

It is Sheila, I'm still getting used to it. Yes, I may treat myself to an awning over the back too.. where the raised bed is, it had been.an Anderson shelter during the war. So pleased its done and dusted. I was in the garden earlier and noticed my clematis Wisley cream, all.in bud...:) x

1 Dec, 2021

 

That looks brilliant Janey! What a transformation !
I ove the raised bed too!
I have a very small grotty area outside our conservatory but don't think it would be that easy to sort out! One day! lol

2 Dec, 2021

 

What a clever solution to the problem. It looks inviting.

2 Dec, 2021

 

Oh,Janey it looks wonderful,andyou have planned it all so well,taking your time to decide just how you wanted it to look like. I love the idea of permeable resin,so water can still drain away,unlike some concrete drives,gardens etc,which was the only alternative at one point,to having less garden etc.
You are going to have lots to look forward to seeing, in your raised bed,andyour summerhouse this coming year..:o) xx

2 Dec, 2021

 

It looks lovely Janey and I think it will be less work to keep tidy than the old concrete floor. The raised bed is nice too :)

2 Dec, 2021

 

It looks great, well-thought out, sypathetic to the original walls and area.

2 Dec, 2021

 

Well done, Janey, it all looks wonderful now! πŸ‘ πŸ‘ πŸ‘

2 Dec, 2021

 

That's a brilliant new concept It looks so warm & inviting Janey. I'm glad it turned out just as you envisioned it.

2 Dec, 2021

 

Pleased you like it Rose! It's strange, it seemed to look not too bad in the summer, but during winter...ooh no..Haha!

Thanks Ange.

Aw, thank you very much Sandra, it did take quite a while to complete, but this is the way after the pandemic. Yes I'm thrilled with it and it looks so much wider!
The pets were so good too and didn't make a fuss..even though for two days it was really tacky..Yes lots to look forward too..x

It will Hywel so easy to sweep up the leaves on it. I hope your extension is nearly finished?

Thanks so much Siris, I wanted the pebble look but more secure footing.

Thanks Balc!

That's very kind Paul, yes it has, I think in the spring I'll do the wood with a colour preserver too..

2 Dec, 2021

 

The resin is a great colour- really warm looking and cheerful. And it being water permeable is brilliant - definitely something for us to remember for future garden work! I guess you'll have many hours pf pleasure when its finished (if anything in a garden ever is finished, lol...)
Love your Gaultheria !

2 Dec, 2021

 

Thanks Stera! Very cheerful. I will really enjoy it all when spring comes.. It is a pretty one isn't it..:)

2 Dec, 2021

 

Stage one is almost done Janey, thanks for asking :)

2 Dec, 2021

 

Oh good Hywel. I hope you are pleased so far..

3 Dec, 2021

 

I'll be pleased in two weeks time when the door and window are in lol

3 Dec, 2021

 

I see a great place for your yoga mat where you can tap into life force energy!

3 Dec, 2021

 

It all looks lovely and has a wonderful, clean, bright appearance which you will never take for granted. I really like it.

3 Dec, 2021

 

Looks very well done, Janey! A lovely area now, also low maintenance for you.
The raised bed area is looking good all planted up!

3 Dec, 2021

 

Looks very smart and complimentary to your other areas and structures Janey. Waiting now for your summer enjoyment.

4 Dec, 2021

 

Good to see your blog Hywel...It's looking great so far, yes draught proofing is a must!

Haha Paul, not in a day like this though!

Thank you Wildrose, you're right, I won't..So much lighter than before.:))

Thanks Kate, yes much easier!

Thank you very much Klahanie, I am really looking forward to spring now. I hope your flooding has subsided..

6 Dec, 2021

 

We had some supply issues on the Island Janey because of floods but the railway is open now and some roads repaired and also open. Got some snow last night but viburnum by our deck is blooming and hummingbirds are buzzing around so not all is bad.
I should get some Gaultheria procumbens . Yours is a beauty Janey ..... especially at this time of the year .

6 Dec, 2021

 

Oh I'm pleased its better for you. And the hummingbirds stay around all winter?
I love the viburnums for winter flowers, mine has no buds and I can't remember it flowering last year either...
It is a lovely Gaultheria isn't it. I couldn't resist another one, darker berries this one. I'll put a photo on tomorrow..

6 Dec, 2021

 

Do you have lime-free soil Janey? I once had a lovely Gaultheria but in my alkaline soil it died … hope yours is thriving πŸ™‚.

6 Dec, 2021

 

Janey, yes hummingbirds stay all winter. I posted a picture for you I just snapped minute ago (through window). We had a snowfall last night and it is awkward to see them in the snow. But we feed them and have around 30-40 all the time.

6 Dec, 2021

 

I'm not sure Sheila in this bed, it's top soil, brought by the resin company. I've potted up both the big berry and the newer one. I did have compost for acidic loving plants, which I've used, so I hope that's ok. That's a shame about your gaultheria tho..

6 Dec, 2021

 

Ooh, I'll have a look Klahanie. I remember your blog with them all, how wonderful to have them around, I didn't realise they would be ok with snowy weather...Wow!

6 Dec, 2021

 

It looks really nice. A job well done. A nice area to sit out in summer. I hope we gave a good one.

8 Dec, 2021

 

Thanks Ff, so do I, can't wait, tho we've a bit to go yet. Hope you're keeping well..

8 Dec, 2021

 

It looks fantastic Janey. What a difference!

18 Dec, 2021

 

Thank you Linda, it really is. This last couple of years the area had looked very sad even with pots and tubs of flowers. I really love how it looks now..

20 Dec, 2021

 

Absolutely perfect Janey! Rachel has had her drive done with similar in a darker colour and it’s so smart! I would much rather have that than our tarmac too, but will need a lottery win as its a huge area! πŸ˜‚

13 May, 2022

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