New Build Design & Build in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent.
The Brief
Our clients wanted a space to relax. A multi-use space with life and shelter. “An Oasis”. The problem was that the soil had deep clay and a lack of ideas to begin with… plus concerns of privacy from a busy road. The outcome? We created this…
Project Summary
Location: Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent
Project Type: New Build Garden Design & Build
Completed: October 2022
Timescale: 3 weeks
Client Type: Private homeowner
Lead Designer: Andrew Goodwin
Budget: £15-20,000
Our Specification
We installed 45m2 of porcelain paving with barbecue area behind the garage and space for outdoor dining table and chairs near the French doors.
In the middle of the garden we installed composite decking onto concrete base with a Titan Pergola from White Stores.
We improved and painted the fence line with added height… using neutral colours as the backdrop to a low-maintenance gravel garden with prairie style planting scheme!
Some soil replacement and enrichment to boost fertility; plus patios laid to 1:60 fall on full mortar bed as standard!
Feature area was a freebie…artistic flare to give our clients a personalised wow-factor!
Design & Construction Decisions
The objective was for planting with minimal maintenance, so we used ornamental grasses and herbaceous perennials with gravel ground cover; to reduce watering, keep weeds to a minimum with one-off annual cut backs in the dormant season.
We choose porcelain for a minimal maintenance and modern finish, rather than a natural stone paving slab.
The titan pergola with opening and closing louvres provides flexibility for sun and shade, over a deck for aesthetic and practical diversity in the garden
The fence was clad to match all sides for of the garden for visual harmony; with a 30cm raised height for added privacy. We painted this to lighten the garden and provide an aesthetic backdrop to the plants.
Challenges & Solutions
During excavation, the ground was heavily compacted with high rubble content, so we had to replace soil in the root zone with mechanical loosening for drainage deeper.
Due to clay ground, a soak away was not practical therefore we had to install aco-drains for surface run off from the patio.
Waste disposal and imported aggregates exceeded 50 tonnes, so bagged deliveries and skips were not economical or practical, so we fully protected the clients driveway and used our experienced machinery operator for fast and economical completion of groundworks.
The Outcome
We completely transformed a bland new build garden plot into a stunning, life-enriching asset.
This garden will last with appropriate care and maintenance, which we have supported our client with by providing this guide.
The porcelain patios have been fully primed, on a full contact mortar bed and laid to a 1:60 fall as per industry standards.
The decking is built onto a concrete platform into which the pergola is bolted.
The fence paint has a 15 year quality guarantee.
This garden has been built to last!
About Goodwin Gardens Ltd
We are qualified paving contractors, with horticultural knowledge and experience of all garden landscape installations. We are design and build specialists offering in-house services from garden design, to groundwork’s and all completed installation’s. Five star rated with and high quality reputation.