I've seen a lot worse, I don't dislike it. You've all year round interest. Why not get rid of the edging, widen it a bit so you can plant some colour, then lay bricks to edge the grass.

Thanks Heron, that sounds like a good idea - the slabs are pretty well buried though.

If you have or can borrow a 'G cramp' cramp a small piece of wood to the side of the slab, then using a stout piece of wood, lever the slab out using bricks to act as a fulcrum.

or plant trailers like aubretia that will hang over it and hide the wall.
or dig a strip in front of the concrete enrich the soil and plant taller plants to hide it.

I think Heron's spot on. When I read the question and saw the photos, that was my reaction, too!

It might take a while and considerable efffort to remove them - but I am sure it would be worth it.

I'd enlarge that bed, too, and curve it a bit more away from the conifers so that whatever you want to plant gets more light and isn't constrained by the roots there. Yes - Sbg is right there, the soil will need feeding.

I would definitely take those slabs out, as long as they're not supporting a pile of soil behind ,where we can't see. And widen it slightly (as Spritz says), give it a good dig, and plant lovely, lovely new plants in it;-)

I'd try and get rid of the slabs too...then make a raised bed, using deep log roll to edge the border, and give a curvy shape. You could then fill it with fresh top soil, or just a few bags of compost, before adding new plants :)

PS. If you can't get the slabs out, then maybe log roll positioned in front would disguise them...?

Thanks everyone, these are great ideas! Ideally I would like to get rid of the slabs but I'm afraid I don't know what G cramps or fulcrum are/is Heron. I will ask hubby when he comes in (as he will be doing the hard graft anyway) he he. Good idea SBG + Spritz a wide curved border with tall plants sounds ideal.Bamboo - the slabs are at the edge of the grass, don't suppose that will collapse? Crazydi, log roll would be good if the slabs are stuck fast. Thanks again to all of you, I shall post a pic when it's done.

No it shouldn't collapse, assuming the level of soil the other side of the slabs is about the same as the lawn - but really, if you're going to widen it a bit and replant, it won't matter anyway.

Much appreciated Bamboo!

I dont dislike the planting so if it was mine I would remove all the edging make it wider and wavy cover the soil in bark and let that meet the lawn with no edging.

Thanks Drc but the bit behind the slabs runs approx 1-3ft deep. Bark is a good idea though.

to remove the edging you could just employ a bricky with a bolster and lump hammer or get said bricky with an petrol grinder like they use to cut out the opening for patio doors.they dont look like blocks.they look like council paving slabs buried .if there only about a couple of inches thick they would naturaly break ground level.if thats the case i would get a tarp and put the dirt from inside close to them out down to grass level.then if your able bodied put some thing to protect your plants like wood,thick material etc.then i would get a sledge hammer and swing it like the pendulem on a clock at them.they will just break about ground level.though there mite still me a bit or two that will need the bolster and lump hammer .then i would make it wider,more plants asother people mentioned above.i wouldnt think theres more than a days work there if that.i realy think its 5 slabs and bye looking at the growth on the plants behind id guess they stick up a good few inches from the soil.infact id guess the soil is about level with the grass looking at the bit of picket fence.if thats a window behind as it looks and you do this i would just get a sheet of 8` x 4` fiber board to put in front of your plants window etc .its only about a tenner .if you didnt live so far id come and help you.

infact the more i look i think you could just dig them out especialy if your going to make it wider.just get a tarp to put the soil on.you can do one at a time as long as you put the soil back and move the tarp as you dont want your grass dying.most slabs arnt more than 24" x 24" .they could be council ones which are 36" x 24" .if so id bet they are broken in half . anyway i hope this helps you take care bye for now.

Aww NP thanks, I know you would help. You do make me laugh! I can just imagine all 5'1" of me swinging a sledge hammer - I would probably miss the slab and hit the window and goodness knows what else! Seriously though, it's a good idea. The soil is level at the picket fence and as it goes up there's more of a ditch. You're right, I think they are council slabs 36"x24", they would break off. I'll have a look tomorrow and see exactly what the situation is.
Thanks so much for your help. You take care too.

your welcome ive learnt plenty of this sight so its only right to put something back in.not thats my mane reasen.i actualy like helping .we would be a site me with a walking stick and 5` 1" you lol at least it would be a laugh.can you get an able bodied persen with a sledge hammer.if there cement slabs you dont realy have to hit them hard.you just get a good heavy hammer and use its connetick energy rather than swing wildly with a smaller hammer.i bet there broken in half or someones gone to a lot of effort to put the 20"-30" underground as well as use so many what are very heavy slabs whole.ofcourse thats just a guess.i wish i could help.id myself get a normal grinder with cutting blades and cut partialy through then they would break easily with a lump hammer in the right place.i just dont want you hurting yourself. i think it would be more of a matter of you swing of the sledge hammer lol.wear theres a will there is a way.after all ive built a 14` concrete soldier with spondyloses of my back and a walking stick lol.the older the concrete is the more brittle it will be as it never stops getting harder.hence seeing cracked slabs in paths etc.

ow one more thing can you let me know how you get on please.

i know a good way of getting a natural looking wavy line as doc sais.you arange a hose pipe in a wavy pattern.mark it out and cut it out.you can then turn the turf over and put it at the bottem of your new planting area.right ill stop running on lol good luck xx

the best and quickst way of removing the slabs is to gently rock them ,they will easly slide out ,experance not guss work.

your probably right cliffo but there council slabs so probebly need to get someone els to do it.

or there whole and very deep

Lol Nosey! I can just imagine - he he it would be a laugh wouldn't it! I agree where there's a will there's a way you have proved that. I'm very much like that myself and will tackle almost anything, I have hurt myself on a few occasions (all part of the fun) lol! Good idea about the hosepipe though, in May this year my mum did this with another border and dug it all out as well, she made a great job and she's 89! Brainwave coming - I'll give her the sledgehammer!!!!
Na - only kiddin' (knowing her she'd give it a bash - she is VERY ablebodied).
Anyway NP thanks a lot for the time and thought which you have put into my dilemma. When it stops p******g o' rain I'll see what can be done and yes of course I'll let you know how I get on. xx

Thanks Cliffo - all advice appreciated!

if you dont use it you lose it lol anyway its my mums fault she climbs on her garage roof to fix things at 77 or gets her drill out lol.im the same and if i do a job i genraly cut myself but it doesnt hurt.im never happier than doing a messy job in the garden with cement yet the bags of cement i drag or get other people to carry lol.i can cook,sew,decorate,woodwork ,a few things on cars but i hate it as that is what i call dirt .anyway you get the picture glad i helped take care bye for now .

i love a bit of rock myself cliffo lol

an easy way, place 3" round fence poles in front of these and shape to your own design. by keeping stone in place this would stop damp penetration to timber, i have used these b4, they are pressure treated and cost appx 3£ for a 2.4 mtr lgth.hope tis helps

ps continue with the rustic poles all way down, it would look much better

Hi Fumble, thanks for that. I had seen your fences/pergola and thought how nice they were. Is it the same fence poles that you mean? How high would you have them and how close together? Can't quite visualise ?
Thanks.