Creating a private and functional low maintenance front yard, was the objective in this landscaping project situated in Hauraki on Auckland’s North Shore.
The area to be landscaped faced the footpath and was also the main entrance to the house.
The existing garden was a mixture of annual and perennial plantings, the odd shrub along with a selection of scoria rocks.
There was a path that led people to the front door. This area was north facing and only a stone’s throw from the beach.
Our client’s brief was to create a functional outdoor living area with the use of natural stone walls.
The first step was to remove the existing garden.
We tried to save as many plants as possible, offering some on the roadside for free outside our yard.
Once the area was cleared, we had to install strong reinforced concrete footings in which to lay our stone.
From that point on, we began building our stone walls. The stone comes from the Northland. We use our crane truck to place the larger boulders.
With plenty of concrete mortar to bind the stone from behind, we began to build our stone walls.
As the walls are being built, they create a real sense of privacy from the street.
Once the outside walls were completed with stone cappings, we begin work on building a strong entrance to the property by using old railway sleepers.
The next step was to clear the garden area and wall to the left of the property to enable us to face a stucco wall with stone, matching it in with the new stone walls.
Placing the finishing touches, was the next step. This is where our Tatonka crane truck comes in very useful when having to place large Palm trees.
We laid shell for the paved areas. As this property is so close to the beach, the shell is very appropriate to use, plus it makes a nice crunching noise, letting the occupants know if anyone is walking on their property.
With the completion of the wooden steps, laying pebble, then planting grasses, palms, ferns and ready lawn put the finishing touches to this project.
Installation of a wrought iron gate built and supplied by David Gilbert at www.wipl.co.nz and tarseal supplied by Mark Wilson at www.asphalt-improvements.co.nz
