Project Overview
Bringing life back into a backyard ‘dead space’.
Challenges
This was a really interesting project that came our way in 2014. Our clients David and Rachel wanted to make use of some ‘dead space ‘at the rear of their property behind a tennis court. They were keen to have an area they could grow their own produce and expose their young sons to the delights of eating what they have grown and getting an understanding of where things came from.
The land sloped away considerably from the tennis court and down to the rear of the property so I needed to design the garden that worked in with the steep and variable contours. After some initial earthworks I managed to clear a reasonably flat area where I had hoped I could build a chook shed. This would become the focal point of the productive garden. I had designed and built a smaller version of this chook shed before so I knew it would fill the space and create the focal point I was looking for.
I wanted to make the vegetable garden beds easily accessible and functional. I designed two main ‘seasonal beds’ in the middle section of the productive garden and then more permanent beds either side which would incorporate an espalier fruit tree bed , citrus bed, bay hedge, herb borders and a mini orchard. Beyond all this I incorporated some composting bays and made use of some old gates David had stored away.
Outcome
After considerable time behind a laser level working out heights for the retaining walls which would become the beds and structural component of the vegetable garden I was pleased at the functionality and aesthetics of what would become a wonderful productive space. Every time I return to visit David, Rachel and the kids I never knock on their front door, as I always find them down the back playing in their productive garden.
Award Winning Elements
- Productive outdoor area
- Custom chook shed
- Raised fruit and vegetable gardens
- Won 2016 Master Landscapers SA award of excellence for construction in its category
“Soon after moving to Stirling, my wife and I engaged Jamie and Hills Classic Gardens to assist us in reinvigorating the gardens and outdoor spaces around the house. It soon became apparent that Jamie and his team were not only highly professional, but more than willing to share their local knowledge and help us achieve our vision for the property. This has culminated in the design and construction of a major outdoor productive area featuring a chook yard, and raised fruit and vegetable beds which has become a favourite spot for the whole family.”
– David & Rachel
