Landscaping and Garden Design in Marlay Grange, Rathfarnham, Dublin

I won this contract through a referral from a previous job I had done in the Rathfarnham area. There had been 5 previous contractors before me one included Owen Chubb who had created the design. Privacy was a big factor so I added a taller bed within a bed at the back of the garden to enhance the design. This bed would give instant privacy and act as a back rest to the lower bed/seat. The clients were a professional couple so low maintenance was essential. It was made clear at the out set there was no more money than budgeted for, so I needed to make sure everything went to plan if I was to make a profit. The following is a description of works carried out at each stage.

• Supply and lay 1.5 SWA armoured cable through garden for future garden lighting  
• Supply and install 40cm high cement rendered 4” solid wall, capped with 600×300 brush hammered Oatmeal granite slabs to double up as seat  
• Supply and install 90cm high raised bed behind seat to act as back rest and individual bed for bamboo using cement rendered 4” solids laid on side. Use Visquine heavy duty plastic to create bog bed conditions for bamboo to thrive 
• Excavate area for paving and synthetic grass lawn to a depth of 100mm and fill raised beds, protect against moisture using heavy duty Visquine plastic against back of bed and neighbouring walls 
• Fill final 100m in raised beds with screened topsoil to cover sod from excavation
• Supply, spread and compact 75mm layer of clean 14-20mm re-cycled concrete chippings to create sub-base for paving, synthetic grass and to act as large soakaway  (20 Tonne)  
• Break out section of path/remove existing patio and cart to dump
• Supply and install patio using 600x600mm yellow limestone slabs laid side by side to match internal tile layout, include 60cmx60cm recessed manhole (55Msq)  
• Supply and install double edge for synthetic grass using 200x100x50 tumbled oatmeal granite cobbles to give definition (24LM)  
• Supply and install synthetic grass lawn using Real Turf Prima Vera quality synthetic grass on 25mm sand base (70Msq)
• Meet with client at Gardenworld Nurseries and choose plants, 20% discount passed to client  
• Plant raised beds with suitable trees, shrubs, perennials, include mature bamboo hedge and tree for privacy  
• Supply and spread 50mm layer of Greenking soil conditioner to finish beds and reduce maintenance
• Paint raised beds (Paint supplied by client)
• Power spray all areas
• Remove all rubbish and cart to dump

garden design

limestone patio

low maintenance lawn

raised bed

raised bed planting

Raised bed seat

Architectural Planting

synthetic grass lawn

specimen planting

raised bed seating

The contract was completed in 3 weeks and within budget. The clients were over the moon and texted “Hi Kevin, garden really superb. Am amazed at it. I will be recommending you to lots of people. Feel free to use us as a reference, it will be an excellent report on your work, professionalism and quality. Dave Lambe”

For me this is what Garden design/Landscaping is all about, making people happy and creating beautiful spaces.