Connolly: Experimental garden, constantly changing

LGA: Merri-Bek

STATUS: Evolving

BUDGET: < $20

I designed this garden for a young family (mine!) at the rear of a clinker brick house that was built in the 1940s for returned soldiers by the Victorian Housing Commission. As the garden owner I have the luxury of using the space for experimentation and testing ideas for my designs.

When we moved into the house all that was in the back yard was a Hills Hoist, a shed and a beautiful, mature Jacaranda tree. This was the ideal canvas to create a garden oasis for the family to play, potter and relax in.

The garden design included opening up the rear of the house with French doors, incorporating a deck to navigate a gentle slope and the creation of an indoor/outdoor living zone. The design includes play and exploration areas as well as space for decorative and productive plants.

The budget for this garden has been small and most of the plants and materials have be salvaged and many of the plants were propagated, discarded in hard rubbish of gifted from friends gardens. I like to show with my own garden, that big budgets are not necessary if you have time, patience and a passion for what you want to achieve.