The materials used for paved or hard-surfaced areas and lawns, together with the drape of these key areas, are extremely important in forming both the style and the bold background outline of a garden. Paving or other hard materials provide hard surfaces, in the same way as vinyl, tiles or timber do this in a house, while the lawn creates the softer, gentler effect of a carpet
When planning the positions of areas to sit in, balance the practical use of the garden with aesthetic effect. Consider the position of the sun, the need for shade, shelter from wind, views, and privacy.
Once you have decided on the position, size and shape of a paved area use hosepipe or rope to outline it on the ground. Allow plenty of space for chairs and tables and plant containers. Arrange furniture within the outlined area to check that it will all fit in the space comfortably. You may need co adjust the area size to cake into account the paving material your choose so that you avoid having to cut slabs
Planting in containers, which can be moved around, is a flexible solution in paved areas.
Consider both the garden style and the materials used in the construction of the house. A paved area next to the house should have a slight fall away from the house so that rain drains away from the building rather than towards it.
Pre-cast concrete paving slabs are reasonably priced and easy to lay. They also come in a wide range of colors, shapes and finishes. Avoid a highly textured finish where you intend to use furniture. Check the change of color when slabs are wet and how slip-resistant they are. Bricks blend well with a traditional brick-built house and provide at natural, country effect. They can also be laid in a range of patterns. House bricks are too soft to be suitable and flake if exposed to winter weather. Choose frost proof, hardwearing bricks such as engineering bricks or brick pavers. Setts are another small-sized and decorative alternative. Granite setts are hard-wearing, and look at home in areas where granite is the local building material. Concrete setts give- similar effect, and are cheaper. Timber decking is a popular surface, sympathetic to the surrounding in most gardens. Paint- or stain can be used to add color. Old railway sleepers are a very strong, and cheaper, alternative.
If timber becomes dangerously slippery when wet, or in frost, staple fine chicken wire over the surface. Stone Sandstone, limestone, ironstone, York stone, and slate all blend well with most garden styles but these materials are expensive and difficult to lay. Reconstituted stone is cheaper. Both come as straight-sided slabs or with uneven edges to be laid as crazy paving. Alternatively you can use broken stone or concrete slabs for this. Cobbles are uncomfortable to stalk on but ideal for forming smaller patterned areas in plain paving.
Gravel and shingle are both cheap, easy to use and give a softer finish. But they provide some problems too. They are best retained by edging as they tend to walk with you into the house and onto the lawn, where they can create a danger when mowing. Some plants can look very effective growing through the surface, but regular weeding will be .necessary or the area to be overtaken by seedlings. Laying plastic sheeting underneath the gravel helps to avoid this but holes will need to be made in the plastic for drainage.
Gravel and shingle both provide a measure of security in a front garden as any visitor's arrival is very audible.
A lawn from turf gives you an instant result, once the ground is prepared, and turf can be laid at most times of the year but it is cheaper to sow a lawn. The best time to create a lawn, whichever method you use, is spring or early autumn. There are two widely available alternative grass mixes you can use. Those that include rye grass are hard-wearing and easy to care for garden owners who want a good-looking finish and are prepared to spend tine on looking after a lawn should go for a fine, dense grass.
Alternatives to grasses are clover, chamomile and creeping thyme but these are suitable only for small areas. You can also sew an area as a wildflower meadow using a mixture of recommended grass and wildflower seeds. In the first year this should be cut at two-monthly intervals so that the grass does not smother the wild flowers. After this cut only early in spring and then in the autumn once the seeds have been shed.
