The challenge ahead!
By hamylalo
17 comments
Hi Everyone
I’m new to this website today and thought I’d share the project ahead for me. We inherited an overgrown and badly paved garden when we moved into our new house. It’s now time to rise to the challenge!
Above was the first view from the drive
View from above.
I was really hoping that once I had removed the paving I might have found the original layout of the 1940’s garden underneath… alas not to be. Under the paving was a foot of concrete that has totally scuppered my grand plans!
I will add another photo on tomorrow to show you where I am up to.
Hamy :o)
30 May, 2010
3 likes
Next post: The next step :o)
Comments
Welcome to GoY. Good luck with your alterations.
30 May, 2010
You seem to have a lot of work ahead of you, it must have been wishful thinking on your part, expecting to find something, really old and beautiful
underneath, which may have been covered over....i do feel for you,
Hamylalo awaiting, to see your next move....
30 May, 2010
I forgot to welcome you to GOY...and hope you enjoy!
30 May, 2010
Big welcome from me too. I did read you were new today and did mean to say welcome earlier, then forgot.
30 May, 2010
Welcome to GOY. You certainly have a busy summer ahead. I look forward to your project progress reports.
30 May, 2010
Talk about 'drab slabs' what a pity about the concrete. Are you sure the concrete is all over? I can't think why anyone would need it. From your pic it looks like it's a sunken area. I was thinking of up-ending the slabs to make raised beds of alpines and use coloured gravel paths between.
31 May, 2010
welcome to goy,ive just moved as well and had tons of support here on goy from all,my garden hasnt been touched for 7 years and just used as a rubbish dump,but enjoying every min,chris
31 May, 2010
oooo how exciting !! will you be taking up that foot of concrete? wish I could come and help - very much looking forward to what comes next =))
31 May, 2010
Welcome from me too. I think I would have to bite the bullet and get some one to break it up and into a skip. I do hope its not too big a job?
31 May, 2010
Welcome,and you have some back breaking work to do there.You wil get there eventually,and I'm sure you will get it as you want it in time...Good luck..
31 May, 2010
Welcome and we look forward to seeing all the restoration. I do hope you get lots of help with the concrete removal.
31 May, 2010
I can't even begin to tell you how frustrated I am with all this! Just the frustration of removing all the slabs and nothing but concrete underneath.
I think it would be too expensive to have the concrete removed and I'm just not physically strong enough to do it myself.
Feeling a bit low, so I'll go and plant some pots - at least they're not full of concrete!
Hamy :o)
31 May, 2010
Don't despair you will overcome with help I'm sure. Hope you enjoyed your potting up. :~))
31 May, 2010
Don't despair Hamylalo. Do think about Herons suggestion of an alpine raised bed, with coloured gravel paths in between. Click on A in the A-Z at the bottom of the page to get some ideas. In fact as you are new have a browse through the A-Z and find out what inspires you. Had you something special in mind when you started digging up the slabs. Share it with us and someone might suggest a way around the problem. Although most of us are amateurs with varying levels of gardening know how there are also professional gardeners and designers who willingly offer advice.
31 May, 2010
agree totally - no despairing - and use the energy in that frustration to get rid of the concrete even a few bits at a time - you didn't say how big it is apart from it being a foot deep - perhaps it could be a long term project while you get on with other bits of the garden - can you imagine your triumph when its all gone!!! what were you potting by the way?
2 Jun, 2010
Potted up some annuals with some fuchsia's and geraniums for a bit of instant colour :o) Oh and a big hanging basket :o)
6 Jun, 2010
Recent posts by hamylalo
- Vanishing concrete & a 'Diet Coke' break!
3 Jul, 2010
- Demolition Time when the bikes have gone!
6 Jun, 2010
- The next step :o)
31 May, 2010
Oh dear, the dreaded concrete. We concreted over our original cobbled drive because my daughter who was in and out of hospital for years having knee operations could not cope with them. We only laid 2" though and left the cobbles so that they could be dug up and refurbished at a later date. Now we are elderly we are not so keen to cope with the unevenness either and will leave it for the next generation.We took up 16 large skips of shale and granite chip to find the cobbles and an extra front door step. I'm sure you will find a way round the problem.
30 May, 2010